#VeteranOfTheDay Air Force Veteran Jennifer Linton

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Air Force Veteran Jennifer Linton, who served 23 years and retired as a chief master sergeant.

Jennifer Linton joined the Air Force June 21, 1982. Linton said her service was her way of “giving back” to the country. Linton and her twin sister joined the Air Force at the same time.

Upon graduating, Linton entered diet therapy specialist training at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. After graduating with honors, Linton spent the next six years at Whiteman AFB, Missouri. In 1990, Linton became superintendent of the Nutritional Medicine Flight at the 27th Medical Group at Cannon AFB, New Mexico

While stationed at Cannon AFB, Linton deployed to Saudi Arabia from November 1992 to March 1993 as a postal specialist. Linton’s assignment drew from her experience from 1988 to 1990 as noncommissioned officer in charge of mail processing in Upper Heyford, United Kingdom. Upon returning to Cannon AFB, Linton completed her associate degree food and nutritional science and received her dietary manager and food protection professional certification.

In 1997, Linton continued her service as Superintendent, Nutritional Medicine Flight at Andrews AFB where she managed all nutritional medicine operations to over 250,000 personnel and oversaw the the nutritional care of 7,500 in patients and 70,000 outpatients annually. From July 2000 to April 2001 at Andrews AFB, Linton served as superintendent to the 89th Diagnostics and Therapeutics Squadron, where she supported the management of daily activities and the squadron commander. From April 2001 to June 2002, Linton served as the 89th Airlift Wing Inspector General superintendent, assisting the inspector general with over 60 units. Linton served as superintendent to the 436th Medical Group at Dover Air Force Base, which included the coordination of care for 16,000 TRICARE Prime beneficiaries, until her retirement Oct. 1, 2005.

Through Linton’s 23 years of service, she earned a Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, an Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, an Air Force Achievement Medal, a National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star, Southwest Asia Service Medal with one bronze star. In 2000, Linton promoted to the highest enlisted rank of chief master sergeant.

Since retiring, Linton earned her bachelor’s in food, dietetics and nutrition and her master’s degree in health promotion. Linton continues to work as a registered dietitian in the clinical setting. She also teaches nutrition as an adjunct professor at the University of Delaware.

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Contributors

Writer: Kristen Reece

Editor: Lily Nguyen

Fact checker: Crystal Moore

Graphic artist: Alyssa Morford