LANDSTUHL, Germany – The career of Public Health Command Europe’s S-2/3 Chief of Security and Operations had its twists and turns but with hard work and dedication, she built a career she is proud of U.S. Army veterinarian, Melody Mullin, is currently serving as the Chief of Security and Operations chief at PHCE in Landstuhl, Germany.
The Colorado native joined the U.S. Army in her second year of veterinary school when she was accepting into the health professional scholarship program.
“Military service was never a long-standing family tradition,” Mullin said. “I joined because of the opportunities and stability the military offers. It was great to know that student loans were taken care of. Also, I would have a job after vet school, have a career and be able to explore different avenues in the veterinary field.”
Her decision to go to veterinary school was not a childhood dream, more the result of key mentors helping her understand herself during the trial of a non-traditional past.
Mullin was a star performer in high school and received several full ride scholarships to college.
“I was thankful to have had these opportunities, but unfortunately the timing just wasn’t right,” Mullin said. “I got carried away in my new-found freedom, frequently skipping classes and not putting in study time. My second year I was placed on academic probation and subsequently suspended. I dropped out of college and moved across the country and got married. Years later, with the assistance of many loving individuals I was able to put my life back together.”
Mullin started working as a certified veterinary technician but was encouraged by her instructor “to do something more.”
Mullin work in the veterinary field for many years and when she was ready, she went back to school and excelled.
Mullin applied for a highly competitive, military scholarship program for health professionals. She did not receive it the first go around, but MAJ Mullin was awarded the coveted scholarship on her second attempt, full tuition with stipend.
Mullin describes veterinary school as “the best and worse four years of my life”. She graduated sixth in her class of 125 candidates with high honors.
As her first assignment, Mullin was worked as the officer in charge of Naval Air Station Corpus Christi veterinary treatment facility, in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Mullin describes being an OIC is essentially having five different jobs at once.
“You’re a practice manager, a provider, a leader, a food inspector and an athlete,” Mullin said. “These are all different hats that you wear while juggling soldier problems, commander’s taskers and clinical work.”
Spending six years at different VTFs managing different priorities paved her way to where she is right now.
“The ability to be competent, adaptable and to work under high stress, helps me succeed in new challenges,” Mullin said.
As the Chief of Operations and Security, she works in a fast-paced environment with a variety of taskers and askers that take place simultaneously.
“It can be stressful at times, but I try to be good at it at and eventually when you’re good at it, it becomes fun,” Mullin added.
Mullin continues to willingly humble herself to learn.
“Ask for help often and be the person you want to be,” Mullin said. “
My story wasn’t a straight line. It was a climb, but that that’s why it makes me so much more thankful for what opportunities I have had and the ones yet to come.”
Mullin has always found comfort in animals too.
“I was with my cat Trip for 17 years and ten moves within the U.S. and Europe,” Mullin said. “Now my horse, Roxy, is my source of happiness for me.”
Mullin is started to work on the process of moving with her horse back to the U.S.
After finishing her tour in Germany this summer, she is going back to school once again to earn her Master of Public Health with a focus in epidemiology. Additionally, she will be sitting for board in the college of veterinary preventive medicine and start residency for laboratory animal medicine in Bethesda, Maryland.
Mullin is looking forward to her future career in the Army’s Research and Development Program.
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