ROTC
MY JOURNEY INTO MEDICINE

I grew up with aspirations of working in the medical field, but I had no idea I would first be serving in the Navy on the way to achieving that dream. Once I began considering going into the military, it seemed like a great fit. I had always cared about helping people and serving a larger community to do good in such a hectic world, and I realized those ideals carried over between both the medical and military fields.

I did not have much interest in attending the Naval Academy, and ROTC was the perfect option for me to pursue my degree at the University of my choice and receive a commission into the Navy. I decided to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill because it was exactly the place I envisioned myself- a top-rated academic program with a variety of opportunities for research and experience in the medical field, with a beautiful campus and diversity of experiences. I also knew it was a place where the academic rigor would well prepare me for the challenges I would inevitably face both in my military and medical pursuits.

I had applied for the Naval ROTC scholarship prior to my acceptance at UNC, and once I had received it, I was placed in UNC’s battalion, which covers the entirety of my tuition as well as providing monthly stipends and a book allowance each semester. This financial assistance allowed me to attend UNC, and I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity to graduate with my bachelor’s in biology without taking out any loans.

Since I joined the battalion, in addition to our normal responsibilities, I have been able to interact with service members currently in the Navy Medical Corps and listen to their advice and experiences, which has only increased my interest in pursuing an MD. Upon graduation, I will commission to begin a 5-year-long active duty commitment, and I have been selected to enter the Submarine Warfare Community. From there, I will hopefully laterally transfer into the Medical Corps or separately apply for medical school following my commitment and applying for the Health Profession Scholarship Program with the Navy to continue my Naval career as a physician.

I have not quite decided yet if my position in the military will be for the entirety of my career, but I will certainly be considering staying in and continuing to serve as a doctor.

While it is a long, challenging path ahead of me, the ROTC program and my time at UNC have opened many doors into the medical community that I am so excited to enter.

Written by Sophia M. Sherman, U.S. Navy, MIDN1/C