The desire to make a difference has been a driving force in Angela Green's life since she was a young girl.

The Wantagh resident enlisted in the Army right after she graduated from Uniondale High School in 1985. 

She remained on active duty for three years and then joined the reserves. 

Green was deployed three times.  Once to Bosnia with the 423rd Military Police Company, and twice to Iraq with the 310th Police Battalion. 

While still serving as an Army reservist, Green joined the NYPD in 2000.

As a rookie cop, Green was assigned to security detail at Ground Zero, just hours after the 9/11 terrorist attack. 

In 2011, Green was diagnosed with 9/11-related breast cancer. 

Today, she is an eight-year breast cancer survivor, and grateful to still be able to serve her country with the 333rd Military Police Brigade in Farmingdale. 

“As long as I can get up and walk and talk, I'm available and I want to be there. I want to be there to make a difference and just to help someone,” said Green.

Green says she will retire from the Army Reserves in December.

She is studying for a degree in criminal justice and plans do volunteer work for various veterans causes.