My name is Jeremy Keirn. I hold a B.S. in Mathematics from the University of Houston, a Master of Engineering Management from Old Dominion University, and am currently pursuing my medical school pre-requisites at Old Dominion University. I am an active-duty Navy Submarine Officer who manages the Quality Assurance, Information System, and the Officer Training and Qualification Programs on my Submarine. After eleven months forward deployed in Guam, where the topic of conversation typically varied from nuclear power to offensive tactics against enemy nations. I realized that I had a passion for learning and solving complex problems, promoting human health, and leading and healing others.

            These conclusions have centered my focus on pursuing an M.D. following my service obligation in three years. Fourteen months of schooling follows the completion of a bachelor’s degree to become a nuclear Officer, followed by a twelve-month qualification process. During this time, I focused on learning the complexities of nuclear power, as well as developing the advanced problem-solving skills for leading the team operating the nuclear reactor. I completed over 1200 hours as the lead watch officer of the nuclear reactor, managing reactor powering the nuclear warship. Additionally, we spent hundreds of hours learning the fundamentals of submarine navigation in warfare, leveling up to more advanced skills and leadership roles. This coupled by my experience as a certified personal trainer and experienced ultra distance triathlete, focused my desire for continuing education on science and health. I have always been an advocate of human health, promoting fitness and nutrition to my friends and family from a young age. I quickly found a passion for triathlon, where I dedicated hundreds of training and research hours towards mastering the craft. The health benefits I felt convinced me to pursue my personal training certification, which led to over 200 hours of helping others experience the same benefits. My time managing the Quality Assurance program, has led me to develop a keen eye for detail due to the nature of the work, approving complex work packages. Over my time on the submarine, I have managed the Electrical, Auxiliary, Navigation, Scuba Diving, and Officer divisions. Each division required me to learn different leadership lessons that continues to diversify my leadership skills. I have always found joy in the perils of leadership because it is rewarding in nature, despite the difficulties that come from individuals and decision making.  Submarine Officers are different than most other subdivisions of the military since they are both, the subject matter expert as well as their leaders. This fact is one of the main reasons that I see medicine, specifically the path of the M.D. as the ideal path for me, due to the rigor of the coursework and high level of knowledge required bound with the innate leadership roles that a doctor can have in the hospital environment. Many see military service as an act of service, where people sign up to endure the hardships of the military lifestyle to defend and protect. I understand the sentiment, but on the submarine, forward deployed in the specific the conversations circled around the idea of being prepared to kill the enemies in various ways. This is something I was expected to play a role in during my time underway. If I continued my submarine service, this is something I would be expected to do throughout my career. Additionally, the quality of living underway makes it no question as to why so many persons are suffering from chronic disease. Even in port, the average submariners diet consists of cigarettes, zyn, energy drinks, and sugar.  This is something I did not feel suited what was in my heart, rather I desired to pursue a career that focused on healing and promoting health.

            Overall, my decision to focus my efforts on a career in medicine comes from my experience during my undergraduate and submarine career. I focus on medicine because of the inherent mature of complex problem solving, the leadership roles, and the promotion of health and healing inherent to the job. This semester I am focusing on my final six months attached to my submarine as well as my genetics, biochemistry, and cell biology courses. I am also continuing to promote fitness among my submarine as I continue to run the submarine diver training program and lead my divisions. Following my submarine tour, I will report to a thirty-month shore tour where I will continue to pursue medical opportunities, like shadowing, volunteering, and obtaining a competitive score on the MCAT.