In Service to Our Country

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Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) have played a significant and enduring role in supporting the United States military, particularly in combat and austere environments. Their contributions span more than a century and are foundational to modern military medicine.

  • RESOLVED, That the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists encourages its members to actively support all active, reserve, and veteran members of all military branches, including the Public Health Service of the United States, and be it further
  • RESOLVED, That the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists recognizes the contributions of the participating members to the national security of the United States.

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CRNAs In Service to Our Country

Bryon Turner

Bryon Turner, CRNA, MSNA, U.S. Army, Captain – While on Active Duty. 17 years of service, Separated 2014
Bryon Turner

Bryon Turner, CRNA, MSNA, U.S. Army, Captain – While on Active Duty. 17 years of service, Separated 2014
Matthew Gritis

Matthew Gritis, Major, U.S. Air Force Maj., 379th Expeditionary Medical Squadron nurse anesthesiologist, prepares a patient for surgery within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, June 5, 2025. The 379th EMDS operates the largest medical treatment facility in the U.S. CENTCOM AOR. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Sean Moriarty)
Matthew Gritis

Matthew Gritis, Major, U.S. Air Force Maj., 379th Expeditionary Medical Squadron nurse anesthesiologist, prepares a patient for surgery within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, June 5, 2025. The 379th EMDS operates the largest medical treatment facility in the U.S. CENTCOM AOR. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Sean Moriarty)
Jim Flood

Jim Flood, CRNA, MA, CAPT, USN (ret) – Desert Shield/Storm, OIF/OEF
Jim Flood

Jim Flood, CRNA, MA, CAPT, USN (ret) – Desert Shield/Storm, OIF/OEF
Waylon Jackson

Waylon Jackson, MSN, CRNA, CPNP-AC- Helmand Province, Afghanistan 2021
Waylon Jackson

Waylon Jackson, MSN, CRNA, CPNP-AC- Helmand Province, Afghanistan 2021
Debra Diaz

Debra Diaz, DNP, CRNA, APRN, FAANA – Debra Diaz, CDR, NC, USN, (retired)
Debra Diaz

Debra Diaz, DNP, CRNA, APRN, FAANA – Debra Diaz, CDR, NC, USN, (retired)
Emily Moore

Emily Moore, CRNA – Operation Inherent Resolve, Green Villiage, Syria 2022
Emily Moore

Emily Moore, CRNA – Operation Inherent Resolve, Green Villiage, Syria 2022
Jerrol Wallace

Jerrol Wallace, DNP, CRNA, FAANA, FAAN – Administering Anesthesia in the Middle East with an international partnership of American, Dutch, German, and Italian medical professionals.
Jerrol Wallace

Jerrol Wallace, DNP, CRNA, FAANA, FAAN – Administering Anesthesia in the Middle East with an international partnership of American, Dutch, German, and Italian medical professionals.
Randy Cornelius

Randy Cornelius, DNP, CRNA, ARNP  – Operation Enduring Freedom 2013, FOB Shank, 1st FST
Randy Cornelius

Randy Cornelius, DNP, CRNA, ARNP  – Operation Enduring Freedom 2013, FOB Shank, 1st FST
Gregory Collins

Gregory Collins, DNP, CRNA – Operation New Dawn; Anbar Province, Iraq; 2011
Gregory Collins

Gregory Collins, DNP, CRNA – Operation New Dawn; Anbar Province, Iraq; 2011
Wendy Odell, LT, USN, Nurse Corps 1991-1999

Wendy Odell, LT, USN, Nurse Corps 1991-1999
Wendy Odell, LT, USN, Nurse Corps 1991-1999

Wendy Odell, LT, USN, Nurse Corps 1991-1999
Jennifer Banek

Jennifer Banek, MSN, MHA, CRNA – Nearly 17 years ago, I entered the military through medicine, serving in roles focused on care, readiness, and the human side of service. That experience shaped how I lead, how I listen, and how I show up — but it didn’t end there. This picture represents a new chapter, my graduation from Civil Affairs training. Civil Affairs is about understanding communities, building trust, navigating complexity, and strengthening partnerships — skills that matter in uniform and beyond. I’m proud to now serve as a Civil Affairs officer, carrying forward everything I learned in the medical field while stepping into a broader mission set. This journey hasn’t been linear, easy, or quick — but it has been meaningful.  Service continues — just in a new way.
Jennifer Banek

Jennifer Banek, MSN, MHA, CRNA – Nearly 17 years ago, I entered the military through medicine, serving in roles focused on care, readiness, and the human side of service. That experience shaped how I lead, how I listen, and how I show up — but it didn’t end there. This picture represents a new chapter, my graduation from Civil Affairs training. Civil Affairs is about understanding communities, building trust, navigating complexity, and strengthening partnerships — skills that matter in uniform and beyond. I’m proud to now serve as a Civil Affairs officer, carrying forward everything I learned in the medical field while stepping into a broader mission set. This journey hasn’t been linear, easy, or quick — but it has been meaningful.  Service continues — just in a new way.