Tell us about your military service. What did you do? Where did you serve? What do you value the most about your military service?
I commissioned as a Field Artillery officer in 2018 following my graduation from West Point. I spent the next three years serving in the 25th Infantry Division out of Schofield Barracks, HI. I then attended the Field Artillery Captain’s Career Course before joining the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, TX. While there I served in the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade and the 3rd Cavalry Regiment in various roles. In my final year at Fort Hood, I spent eight months at Camp Hovey, South Korea as part of the Korea Rotational Force. I am extremely thankful for the amazing experiences the Army gave me, but I value the relationships that I built along the way above all else.
What are your thoughts on mentoring other students while at Vanderbilt? As a role model, what values do you want to share?
I see mentoring other students at Vanderbilt in the same way that I viewed mentoring others in the Army. We all come from unique backgrounds with experiences that can be valuable to help others grow towards accomplishing their goals. My hope is that I am able to use my experiences in the Army to help my peers at Vanderbilt succeed both in the classroom and in their careers following graduation. As a role model, I hope to encourage others to continue pressing towards their goals, even when they experience setbacks or friction.
While at Vanderbilt, what will be the focus of your studies and how do you plan to use this knowledge in your future career?
I am a member of the Owen Graduate School of Management Full-Time MBA program. I plan to concentrate in finance while at Owen which I believe will complement my undergraduate degree in Economics and my work experience in the Army. My goal is to pivot into a career in corporate finance at a Fortune 500 company following completion of my MBA.
What would you tell other veterans about the Bass Military Scholars Program?
The Bass Military Scholars Program is an opportunity unlike any other you will find in higher education. As a husband and father of two children, it provides my family a significant financial buffer while I am in the full-time MBA program. Even greater than this though is that it serves as a conduit through which amazing men and women from our nation’s armed forces can continue to positively impact the local community and demonstrate the values that are the bedrock of our military service.
Beyond your role as a Bass Military Scholar and Vanderbilt student, in what ways do you give back, support others, and engage with your community?
- Volunteer, Miracle League (Murfreesboro)