First-year medicine student Jonathan Chapple was honored in a Commissioning Ceremony in February, marking his commitment as a commissioned serviceman. Chapple, of Newbury Park, California, currently holds the rank of ensign (officer, first-rank) in the U.S. Navy, with plans to eventually enter a military residency in his anticipated graduation year of 2027.
Chapple’s call to serve others has been passed down through generations, he shared, giving credit to his grandfather, an Air Force veteran, and father, a police officer. He also found inspiration during a mission trip to Argentina from 2014-2016 during his time as an undergraduate student at Brigham Young University.
“I learned Spanish during my mission trip, as well as many valuable leadership skills,” said Chapple. “The experience helped me see the world from an entirely new perspective.”
It also furthered his desire to devote his career to serving others.
“Practicing medicine gives hope to people,” said Chapple. “You would see horrible things in the ER, and the doctors were beacons of light on their patients’ worst days.”
Chapple also developed a deep admiration for the physicians with whom he spent time and wanted to develop those same qualities.
Life of a Medicine Student in the Military
It’s no secret that medicine students have an incredibly heavy workload as they work to obtain their M.D. How does one handle the duties of being enlisted on top of that? Fortunately, it’s manageable by holding 45-days of active duty each year that do not interfere with his studies. Chapple is able to focus on school during the academic year, and during one summer, will be learning everything from officer development to how to properly stand, salute and the general customs of being a Naval officer.
It seems like Chapple has enough on his plate, but there’s more – he and his wife, Eliza, just welcomed their new child, David, to their family. They welcomed their son right as Chapple prepares to finish his first year in the College of Medicine – one of many more milestones to come on his journey.
Commissioning Ceremony
Chapple was honored during a commissioning ceremony, that he chose to be held on the NEOMED campus in Olson Hall. Eliza conducted the invocation, an opening prayer asking for guidance. President Langell gave an address where he thanked Chapple for joining the military and noted the exceptional responsibilities of serving for the greater good. C. Forrest Faison III, M.D., Sc.D. (hon.), FAAP, senior vice president and provost at NEOMED and retired vice admiral in the United States Navy, also offered an address along with leading the oath of office.
“You will make a difference to people who will never meet you,” said Dr. Faison, before asking three things of Chapple – to always be worthy of the trust placed in your hands, to always be worthy of the uniform you wear, and finally, to be worthy of the privilege of leadership.