MAJOR SARAH T. WATKINS
Commander, Veterinary Readiness Activity, Fort Belvoir

Major Watkins is a dedicated and accomplished veterinary professional with a strong background in public health and military service. She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Western University of Health Sciences College in 2012 and later received a Master of Public Health degree from Kansas State University in 2021, becoming a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine.
 
Major Watkins has completed various internships and training programs, including an internship with the Virginia Department of Health and the office of the State Public Health Veterinarian. Her military assignments have included roles such as Officer in Charge, Veterinary Services Branch, Fort Bragg; Battalion Veterinary Surgeon, 97th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne), Fort Bragg; Program Evaluation Officer, Army Public Health Center Veterinary Services Division, Aberdeen Proving Grounds; Veterinary Public Health Instructor, Fort Belvoir First Year Graduate Veterinary Education (FYGVE) Program; and Deputy Commander, Veterinary Readiness Activity, Fort Belvoir.
 
Notably, Major Watkins planned and executed four Veterinary Global Health Engagements in Mongolia and Nepal while serving as the 97th Civil Affairs Battalion Veterinary Surgeon, in support of Special Operations Command, Pacific and INDO-PACOM. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and has completed the USDA Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostician Course at Plum Island, NY.
 
Major Watkins' military education includes the AMEDD Officer Basic Course, Captain’s Career Course, and resident Intermediate Level Education course at Fort Belvoir, as well as the Pacific Augmentation Team course, Basic Airborne Course, and SERE C.
 
Throughout her career, Major Watkins has received numerous awards and decorations, including the Army Achievement Medal with 2 Oak Leaves, Army Commendation Medal with 3 Oak Leaves, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Army Service Ribbon. She also wears the Army Superior Unit award, parachutist badge, and the German parachutist badge (bronze).
 
In her personal life, Major Watkins is married to her loving and supportive husband, MAJ Beau O. Watkins (U.S. Army JAG Officer), and they have two children, Clara Grace (7 years) and Eric Ray (5 years).