As I sat in the lobby at a medical appointment, I overheard a conversation that piqued my interest. A medic (an enlisted service member) discussed his post-military plans with a civilian nurse, who initially seemed to support his desire to finish his bachelor’s degree. The sailor relayed that he hoped to attend medical school after completing his undergraduate degree. The conversation progressed, and I was dismayed to hear the nurse ask, “Are you sure that’s what you want to do? Med school is intense.” This type of exchange, while unsettling, is not uncommon when enlisted members set ambitious goals for themselves following their military service. This could be related to the antiquated view that some have regarding enlisted service members compared to officers, which is often shaped by classism. The juxtaposition of the two groups is inequitable, as a college degree is usually required for accession as a military officer. However, some exceptions apply, whereas individuals can enlist as early as 17 years old. Besides distinguishing these populations by their education, there is a widely held opinion that service members are not as educated as their civilian counterparts. Many military-affiliated members suffer from imposter syndrome when transitioning back into the civilian world, exacerbated by the frequent typecasting of service members as unintelligent and unsophisticated.

Veterans work every single day to dismantle these stereotypes. With aspirations as high as attending medical school, these veterans need all the support and encouragement they can receive. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, less than 60 veterans entered the 144 civilian medical schools nationwide in 2019. That is minuscule compared to the number of individuals transitioning from the military annually. Why are veterans sorely underrepresented in this domain? Elite civilian institutions frequently overlook recruiting potential students transitioning from the military or serving in the Army Reserves or National Guard. This may be primarily influenced by the institutions not knowing precisely who they should target in the military.

The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) permits individuals to pursue careers in military medicine. In 2019, 77 veterans matriculated into this institution and prepared to service the health needs of military members. As institutions of higher learning endeavor to diversify their student populations, they should expand their recruiting efforts targeting military members. Medical professionals who previously served can be a tremendous source of information and provide a different perspective in treating veterans, especially in psychiatric specialties. Mental health is a chief concern for many veterans, as reports show that this population averages 17 suicides daily. A number of military-affiliated aspiring physicians desire to assist veterans. They understand the struggles of this group, as they have likely encountered some of those same challenges.

How can you contribute to cultivating a pipeline for veterans who want to attend medical school? All colleges and universities can better track their veteran populations enrolled in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs and have a desire to further their education by practicing medicine. Institutions can create programs designed to specifically target veterans applying for professional programs, such as medical and law school. As veterans are often older than their classmates, their applications could stand out because their educational timelines may be considered unorthodox. Experts recommend that nontraditional students complete a post-baccalaureate program, capitalize on distinctive skills that may have been acquired during their service, and create relationships that will lead to solid letters of recommendation to strengthen their applications. Institutions with active Veterans’ Affairs departments should already have initiatives to assist student veterans in their academic endeavors; expanding those assistance offerings to include special concentrations for professional programs can increase veteran enrollment.

Article Topics

Military Friendly Institutions Serving Military in HigherEd Veterans Academic Success Workplace Inclusion

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