Tell us about your military service. What did you do? Where did you serve? What do you value the most about your military service?
From 2016-2023 I served as a US Army Intelligence Officer in the 525th MI Brigade at Ft. Bragg (now Ft. Liberty) and the 704th MI Brigade at Ft. Meade. In 2017 deployed to Baghdad, Iraq as a Collection Manager for a Joint Special Operations Task Force. While serving in the 525th MI Brigade, I served as a Signals and Human Intelligence Platoon Leader and Company Executive Officer. As a Captain I served as a Space Force Watch Officer and as a Company Commander of US Army Linguists at Ft. Meade.
What are your thoughts on mentoring other students while at Vanderbilt? As a role model, what values do you want to share?
My time in the Army taught me the people you meet are the most valuable resource you have. I am looking forward to investing in relationships with my peers in the Law School and across the wider Vanderbilt community in the same way my mentors in the Army invested in me. My NCOs, former commanders, fellow platoon leaders and executive officers imparted to me that no one’s successes or failures ever belong to them alone, and to be a resilient person you need to build a resilient team around you. I believe the Bass Scholar’s mentorship focus brings a level of resilience to the Vanderbilt community that veterans are uniquely situated to achieve.
While at Vanderbilt, what will be the focus of your studies and how do you plan to use this knowledge in your future career?
While at Vanderbilt, I will pursue my JD and plan to focus my studies on cybersecurity and international law. I am excited to learn about the development of US foreign and public policy which I engaged with while serving an Intelligence Officer in the Army.
What would you tell other veterans about the Bass Military Scholars Program?
The Bass Military Scholars Program sets Vanderbilt apart from other world-class centers of education in its championing of academic success through service. Bass alleviates much of the financial insecurity many veterans feel when they separate from active duty. Equally as important is the immediate community you gain when you become a Bass Scholar. Like many veterans before me, I found the transition from Active Duty to civilian life to be difficult. But the Bass program leadership and my fellow scholars ensured I had the resources I needed for a smooth transition and the same camaraderie I enjoyed in the Army.