Specialist Bryce Bodell

In May of 2001, Bryce had neither money for college nor a clear purpose for his life. But, he did have a dream: to become an Army Ranger. He knew his dream would motivate him to pursue his ambition and also help him learn the meaning of service, as well as provide him with funds to begin an academic journey. Bryce enlisted in the Army and graduated basic training just three days after September 11, 2001. By November of that year, he was assigned to 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment and he found himself immersed in the mountains of Afghanistan.

On March 4, 2002 his unit was sent to rescue a fallen Navy SEAL. During the rescue mission, one of his unit’s helicopters was shot down initiating a firefight that cost seven American lives, three of which were Bryce’s Ranger brothers. He learned at that moment the true meaning behind the phrase, “Never leave a fallen comrade.”

The experience awakened in Bryce an intense desire to pursue medicine. He was assigned to EMT school with a handful of other Rangers to increase the number of medically trained men in combat. Through his training and practical experience, he has since discovered that he thrives in the operating room and has discovered within himself a special compassion for children, particularly those born with congenital anomalies. He is currently using that inspiration to study at the University of Arizona College of Medicine to become a pediatric orthopedic surgeon.