Photo By John Wollaston | Lieutenant Colonel Crystal Belew, commander of the 3rd Medical Recruiting Battalion,...... read more read more
Story by 3rd Medical Recruiting Battalion PAO
LOUISVILLE, Kentucky - The first Saturday in May in the Bluegrass State is mostly remembered for delicious Mint Juleps and flamboyant women’s headwear. The main event, however, is the Kentucky Derby. This year marked the 147th year of this momentous occasion and another year that the 3rd Medical Recruiting Battalion had the privilege in commissioning a group of their Future Officers into the U.S. Army in the winner’s circle.
Seven future officers from the University of Kentucky and University of Louisville medical schools raised their right hand, commissioning into the United States Army. With their white coats, these professionals joined the prestigious Army Medical Corps, a branch of the Army encompassing over fifty different medical specialties.
For first year University of Kentucky medical student Gabrielle Collins, service in the Army Medical Corps, is a family tradition.
“My mother served as a nurse anesthetist for 25 years in the United States Army and I’m just following in her footsteps.”
Lieutenant Colonel Crystal Belew, commander of the 3rd Medical Recruiting Battalion, whose footprint includes the Central Kentucky region, administered the oath of office to the newly minted officers at the historic Churchill Downs.
” This was my first time leading a commissioning ceremony with this great
number of Future Soldiers at such a prestigious event.” Belew said. “I felt an emotional sense of pride to have the honor of being in the spotlight representing the greatest Army in the world while administering the life-changing oath of office to great, patriotic Americans”
“It was exciting,” said Sara Kube, a dentist and future oral surgeon from the University of Louisville. “I’ve never been in front of this many people before. But it was super exciting and such an honor to be in front of everyone to commission as an officer.”
Ms. Kube also talked about how joining the Army Medicine Team gave her a chance to serve her country, something she says she’s always wanted to do.
The students will now move onto completing their post graduate specialty work or continue towards their primary degree.
| Date Taken: | 05.10.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 05.28.2021 14:32 |
| Story ID: | 397722 |
| Location: | LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY, US |
| Web Views: | 82 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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