Photo By Staff Sgt. Oriana White | Sgt. Amanda Hammer, a motor transport operator assigned to the 121st Transportation...... read more read more
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - Sgt. Amanda Hammer, a motor transport operator assigned to the 121st Transportation Company, 228th Transportation Battalion, 213th Regional Support Group, is a former substitute teacher and current Pennsylvania State University graduate student, whose current mission with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard gives her the chance to support other Penn State students in an unexpected way.
Hammer, a Greencastle, Pa. native, is part of Task Force Med (TFM), a functional task force of 39 soldiers and airmen operating under the Pennsylvania National Guard Military Medical Planning Team, in collaboration with The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. Hammer’s role is to provide logistical support to the COVID-19 vaccination clinic located in the Bryce Jordan Center in State College, Pa.
“One of my favorite things about working missions like this is getting the opportunity to meet new people” Hammer says. “You make lifelong friends, and I think that’s really cool.”
Before Hammer’s current mission began in State College, her team supported infectious control and prevention efforts for at-risk communities throughout Pennsylvania, particularly nursing homes.
“At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, we went to long term care homes and assisted with COVID-19 testing” she says.
Although providing support to long term care residents with dementia was heart wrenching at times, Hammer said it was an invaluable learning experience.
“Nursing homes were testing their residents once a week, so we just bounced around to different facilities all over the state and provided staffing and support”.
Hammer studies Applied Behavioral Analysis at the Penn State Harrisburg campus, and eventually hopes to pursue a career with the FBI or local law enforcement as a Criminal Behavior Analyst.
“The Army has so much to offer” she says. “You can go to so many different schools and learn skills that are transferable to the civilian workforce”.
Hammer joined the Guard nearly six years ago as a motor transport operator, and says she plans on acquiring a second military occupational specialty in order to expand her skillset.
“I love my job as a transport operator, and I’d do it again because it’s a great skill to have” Hammer says. “In general, if you’re thinking about joining the Army National Guard, go for it. Do it while you’re young and can take advantage of all the opportunities the military has to offer.”
| Date Taken: | 04.16.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 05.02.2021 10:39 |
| Story ID: | 395323 |
| Location: | STATE COLLEGE, PA, US |
| Hometown: | GREENCASTLE, PA, US |
| Web Views: | 117 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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