Military Career

The process of exiting the military as a company grade officer is an overwhelming thought, at least it was for me. There were numerous times during my 8.5 year active duty Army career that I considered exiting active duty and eventually did. I was commissioned from the United States Military Academy class of 2008 and did everything that a young infantry officer was supposed to do; graduated Ranger School, had a rifle and speciality reconnaissance platoon, deployed in support of OIF for 12 months, attended MCCC, and competed a successful Light Infantry Company Command.

After completion of the Infantry Officers Basic Course, Ranger School, Airborne and a few other random schools I was assigned to 2nd BDE 25th Infantry Division. There I served as a Stryker infantry platoon leader, deployed as a Battalion Reconnaissance Platoon, and served as a Company Executive Officer. Following my time in the 25th Infantry Division and Captain’s Career Course I was assigned to Fort Polk, LA, God’s country as I like to call it. Initially everybody told me this was a death sentence and was terrible for my career, it turned out to be quite the opposite. I was able to serve as the only pre-command JRTC live Fire Team Senior in the Task Force for over a year. More importantly I met the man that to this day is my most valued mentor and a lifelong friend. Following my 2 years at JRTC, I PCS’ed to FT. Campbell, KY where I would serve on staff for a year despite promises from the Brigade Commander that I would slide into a command because I had already served 2 years post MCCC at Fort Polk. In March of 2015 I assumed command of Easy Company 2-506 3BCT 101st Airborne Division.

Towards the end of my command it was suggested from my Battalion Commander that I take over a Headquarters company. I had been toying with the idea of exiting the army during while in command but had yet to make up my mind as to what I wanted to do. All of my friends were getting their MBAs but that didn’t interest me as much as I anticipated. I started to re-visit some interest I had in dentistry following my deployment to Iraq and started calling schools a few months before exiting command (FEB2015). The more research I did, the more interest was generated in the dental profession. It certainly was nontraditional to transition from an infantry officer to dentistry but I was sure there was somebody that had done it.

As I mentioned earlier transition out of active duty is difficult for anybody and the first step to departure following company command is informing your Battalion and Brigade Commander. This was easier said than done in my experience. I was emotional and couldn’t shake the feeling that I was “quitting” the team and turning down a more “prestigious” position. However, both understood and were somewhat comforted by the fact that I mentioned that I intended continue to serve in the military as an Army Dentist…which was partially true.