PORTSMOUTH, Va. – Lt. j.g. Christina Linares, a native of Rockford, Illinois, serves with Navy Medicine assigned to Navy Environmental Preventive Medicine Unit Two (NEPMU-2), in Portsmouth, Virginia.
Linares graduated from Guilford High School in 2004. Additionally, Linares earned an associate degree in general studies from Pensacola State College in 2016, a bachelor’s in health care administration from the University of West Florida in 2018 and a master’s in public health, environmental health from the University of Illinois-Springfield in 2023.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Rockford.
“My grandfather and family always pushed me to consider joining the military, and with my many occupations held before I joined and determination, I successfully joined and set my path forward,” Linares said. “The support from my family and various work experiences helped me forge my success in the military.”
Linares joined the Navy nine years ago. Today, Linares serves as an environmental health officer.
“My grandfather was a World War II pilot in the Air Force and my uncle was a submariner in the Navy,” Linares said. “I joined the Navy not only to uphold our familial connection in the military, but also because I wanted to create my own journey and earn a college education.”
NEPMU-2 provides specialized public health and preventive medicine support to Navy and Marine Corps forces worldwide. The command delivers expertise in disease surveillance, environmental health, occupational and industrial hygiene, entomology, and preventive medicine training. By equipping warfighters with the tools and knowledge to prevent illness and injury, NEPMU-2 enhances force health protection, operational readiness, and mission success across the Fleet and Fleet Marine Force.
Navy Medicine – represented by more than 44,000 highly-trained military and civilian health care professionals – provides enduring expeditionary medical support to the warfighter on, below, and above the sea, and ashore.
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Linares has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am proud to have served on two aircraft carriers, USS Theodore Roosevelt and USS Harry S. Truman, earning my Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist qualification on deployment with the TR, and serving as an enlisted aviation boatswain’s mate (equipment) and now as a commissioned naval officer,” Linares said.
Linares serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“Serving in the Navy means the world to me,” Linares said. “I take pride in wearing the uniform, being part of something bigger than myself and having the opportunity to maintain the fleet’s medical readiness.”
Linares is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my husband, kids and family for all their support and encouragement throughout my whole journey,” Linares said. “I know I wouldn’t be where I am without them.”