During the Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine Honors Convocation Ceremony, Class of 2018 graduates Kyle Eaton and Scott Myers Jr. participated in the Military Promotion Ceremony.

Myers was promoted from Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force to Captain. Eaton was promoted from Ensign in the United States Navy to Lieutenant. Both men were pinned at the ceremony by their fathers. Scott Dwayne Myers Sr. is a former Staff Sergeant in the Marine Corps and Robert Eaton is a former United States Navy Lieutenant.

Myers service began upon being accepted into medical school as part of the Health Profession Scholarship Program, a program in which the Air Force, Navy or Army provides scholarships for advanced medical degrees to prospective military health professionals. Following graduation, scholarship recipients complete one year of active duty for each year of scholarship.

“Throughout medical school, I was considered a reservist, with the exception of four active-duty tours that included: commissioned officer training (boot camp equivalent), an introduction to aerospace medicine and two military hospital rotations,” Myers said.

He knew from a young age that he wanted to serve in the armed forces because he came from a military family. “My father was a Marine, and the majority of other men in my family were military as well, so it felt like I was fulfilling a natural duty by serving my country in a military capacity,” he said. He wasn’t aware of any family members who had been in the Air Force, so he selected this branch in part to pave an individual path and in part because of its culture and values.

His interest in medicine was also sparked early; he became fascinated with the science of the human body in high school. This translated to a career in medicine because of his desire to pursue a virtuous career in which he could apply his scientific knowledge. “I figured, despite how challenging the path and practice of medicine may be, I’ll always find fulfillment in advancing my knowledge of medicine and taking care of people.”

He was honored to have his father perform his pinning, as he looks up to the great achievements Myers Sr. accomplished in the Marine Corps. “To have him as a part of the rank ceremony feels like a symbolic transfer of tradition and responsibility,” he said. “It motivates me to model the approach towards my career in a similar fashion to his and be the greatest version of myself – as an officer, doctor and overall person.”