Joining the Navy to Become a Physician: Nothing Typical About It

Abstract

Joining the military and entering a career in medicine are both intensely personal decisions. Individually, becoming a physician or a naval officer requires people to join a profession, represented by the oaths of each group. Both require hard work, demanding schedules, and dedication. Those entering into the Medical Corps will combine these roles. To optimize finding a fulfilling career, students interested in joining the medical corps should identify mentors, which helps them create the career path they want and aids in their self-reflection to discover their motivations and expectations, finally "Semper Gumby." My own path fulfilled my desire to serve and passion for medicine but more importantly afforded me the opportunity to pursue fellowship, gain expertise in academic medicine, and construct a network of mentors, colleagues, and friends around the globe.