Enlisted Service Members from Five Branches Begin Path to Medical School

USU's EMDP2 Cohort 13 welcomes 25 active-duty service members from five branches into military medicine training at George Mason University.

September 1, 2026 by Melissa Reichley

From drone operators and nuclear technicians to intelligence analysts and Navy divers, 25 active-duty service members are transitioning to military medicine. The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) has officially welcomed its newest Enlisted to Medical Degree Preparatory Program (EMDP2) class.

Over the next two years, EMDP2 Cohort 13 will complete pre-med coursework at George Mason University (GMU) while receiving mentorship and career advising from USU faculty, preparing them for the MCAT and medical school applications.

During orientation, students received leadership briefings from USU President Jonathan Woodson, School of Medicine Dean Dr. Eric Elster, Commandant Sean Simmons, Brigade leadership, and the EMDP2 Company Command team.

Program Director Dr. Lisa Harris noted the exceptional caliber of the applicant pool. The service members bring substantial operational leadership, healthcare exposure, and research experiences prior to entry into EMDP2. They are ready to become the next leaders in military medicine providing comprehensive and compassionate care to support the medical readiness of the Department of War, according to Harris.

The students began classes at GMU on July 13.

Diverse Roots, Common Goal

Each year, service members apply to the program from across the globe, and this year's cohort is no exception. Half have been deployed to locations including Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Hawaii, and at sea aboard the USS Iwo Jima. Others join from Fort Meade and Marine Corps Base Quantico.

Cohort 13's military professionals come from all five branches and bring a wide array of life experiences, specialties, and backgrounds to their medical pursuits. A number of the cohort hail from rural or low-income backgrounds. One third are the first in their families to attend college.

Students include service members from traditional healthcare roles, such as hospital corpsmen, aeromedical technicians, and practical nursing specialists. They also include an array of nonmedical professionals, including intelligence analysts, IT specialists, nuclear propulsion technicians, security forces, a Navy diver, a cryptologic analyst, and an expert in Arabic language and culture.

As with previous cohorts, the varied makeup of Cohort 13 demonstrates that the path to medical school is accessible to service members no matter their original career path, military profession, or medical experience.

Character, Resilience Under Pressure, and Community Spirit

Cohort 13 members bring resilience and grit, with several having performed life-saving interventions in critical moments. Navy Chief Petty Officer Brandon Peralta survived a mid-air skydiving incident. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Travis Jones rescued a driver from a submerged vehicle. Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Kyle Trotta saved passengers from a sinking vessel during a rescue operation.

Others demonstrate discipline through endurance athletics. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Charles Caley runs marathons to help him empathize with his patients. He said the leg trauma, crushing fatigue, and loss of bowel control he experiences during races are the same symptoms his patients may suffer. Army Staff Sgt. Elise McAllister completed an Ironman 70.3 in Augusta, Georgia, and cycled 388 miles across South Korea over the course of three days.

These students embody the physical and mental discipline required for medical school.

The cohort also has a strong history of community contribution. Air Force Master Sgt. Kierstin West-Ferguson hand-sewed 500 masks for her community during the pandemic. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jaden Vicenzi volunteered with the "No Veteran Dies Alone" program, providing companionship to terminally ill veterans. Army Sgt. Yeseo Lee translated the U.S. Army Expert Field Medical Badge handbook into Korean to assist Republic of Korea soldiers in training.

Launched in 2014, EMDP2 allows enlisted personnel to remain on active duty with full pay and benefits at their current rank while pursuing medical degrees. The average age is 29, and nearly 80% are married. To support families, Harris hosted the program's first Spouse Support Briefing during the orientation.

As Cohort 13 begins their EMDP2 journey, they bring the unique blend of operational experience, academic potential, and service-oriented character the program is known for-and which will help them succeed.