Sergeant Andrew Napier

Andrew called upon the legacy of both of his parents for his motivation to enter the military. His father served in the Army from 1984-88, while his mother pursued a nursing degree. He was obsessed with the interests of both parents, and decided to enter the Army National Guard to be able to pursue a degree.

After completing his medic training, Andrew volunteered for deployment as part of a rock clearance team to Afghanistan. His team was ambushed on just his third day and he witnessed his first military casualty. The incident gave him an appreciation for just how fragile life can be as he had to help prepare the body to be transported back to the U.S.

During his deployment as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, Andrew himself earned a Purple Heart, which is part of his inspiration to want to become a trauma physician to help wounded soldiers as much as he was helped. He cites a great need for compassionate doctors at the VA and abroad and his desire to send troops home alive for aspiring to become the very best surgeon he can be.

With everything he experienced while deployed, he relied on creative outlets to help him keep a level head overseas: exercise and writing. He discovered a knack for writing short stories, creative narratives and songs, and modestly professes to an interest as a singer-songwriter.