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 was a Surface Warfare Officer in the US Navy from 2019 to 2024 where I served on the USS Bainbridge (DDG-96) out of Norfolk, Virginia and the USS Stockdale (DDG-106) out of San Diego, California. While on the Bainbridge I served as the Electrical Officer and Assistant Chief Engineer working to oversee the ship’s electrical grid and propulsion plant. I took part in two deployments on Bainbridge, the first being to the Middle East during a 2019 deployment apart of the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group and the second being a part of the 2021/2022 deployment of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group to the Mediterranean Sea. Onboard the Stockdale in San Diego, I served as the Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer overseeing the ship’s subsurface combat abilities. What I value most from my service in the Navy are the leadership skills it instilled in me and the personal connections I was able to make with my fellow Sailors.
What are your thoughts on mentoring other students while at Vanderbilt? As a role model, what values do you want to share?
Having the opportunity to share about my military experience is what initially drew me to the Bass Program. I am excited to share the lessons I learned while serving our nation with my fellow students. Of the many values I hope to impart on them, the primary will be one of the Navy’s core values, commitment. Specifically, commitment to your country, your community, and your own self excellence.
While at Vanderbilt, what will be the focus of your studies and how do you plan to use this knowledge in your future career?
At Vanderbilt, I will be pursing my Juris Doctor in the law program. I plan to focus my studies on criminal law and later in life serve as a prosecuting attorney.
What would you tell other veterans about the Bass Military Scholars Program?
Being the only of its kind across the entire nation, the Bass Program furthers Vanderbilt’s already exceptional standing in higher education. The program connects you with a network of former service members who help ease any pains that come with transitioning out of the military back into the civilian world. It also allows you to share your experiences in uniform with Vanderbilt students and the Nashville community, ensuring you maintain connection to your service. The financial benefits the program offers assist in alleviating monetary concerns allowing you to focus on your studies and future career.