I began the Military Research Associate Program (MRAP) application process in October 2022. A friend I met on a medical forum referred me to the program while I was applying to the EnlistedTo Medical Degree Preparatory Program (EMDP2) within the U.S. Military. Having earned my undergraduate degree in criminal justice in 2014, I was nervous about going into a research program with zero experience. Upon being accepted into the program, I was given numerous academic articles to read over. Before this program, I never had any real experience reading and interpreting academic materials in a structured manner.
What surprised me the most was the level of one-on-one instruction I received, which I honestly didn’t realize I would get. I expected to receive some teaching, but not to the level of detail that MRAP provided. Each week, we would meet, and I was nervous I wouldn’t make an impression that I understood the material. Up until this point in my academic career, I never enjoyed learning or felt the desire to prove my understanding of the material to a teacher. When I started being criticized for my academic writing, I felt comfortable being poor at the practice. However, the MRAP advisors were clear about their expectations, and their relaxed teaching style allowed room for mistakes, making them part of the learning process. This approach enabled me to go into the program with the mindset that my only job was to learn, even if I didn’t know what I was doing.
The relationship I developed with my advisors felt more personal than the typical student-teacher dynamic, yet professionalism was put above all else. This unique environment produced an odd sense of confidence when putting “pen to paper” when I started my project. At first, everything was a bit overwhelming-the amount of diligent reading and accurate interpretations that needed to be done felt out of reach for me. Week after week, I had meetings to confirm ideas and give updates. These meetings were never one-sided; they were instruction-based, even as I was creating this article. This teaching environment was vastly different from what I was used to, and I found myself enjoying the research and critiques. This journey from start to finish, was thoroughly enjoyable, an experience I hadn’t anticipated.
In November 2023, I was given the opportunity to present my poster at the International Center for Responsible Gambling convention. Meeting my advisors in person and meeting acclaimed authors in the gambling research field was an incredible experience. As someone who had never been in the academic field or considered myself capable of being in it, I felt very prepared and honestly accomplished during my topic presentations. I don’t think this would’ve been the case if it weren’t for the guidance of my advisors.
Recently, I was accepted into the EMDP2 program, which offers enlisted service members the chance to complete two years of pre-medical school courses needed for those applying to medical school to become commissioned officers and physicians in the military. This program is highly selective, admitting on average five service members from each branch per year. I applied in 2021 and 2022 and was not selected due to “poor academic aptitude.” MRAP is the reason I was accepted on my third attempt. The letter of recommendation from MRAP and the experience I gained during my interviews are the cornerstone of my academic career. Even as I pursue my goal of becoming a physician, MRAP has provided me with much more than just a poster presentation and research article–it gave me the confidence I didn’t know I needed and solidified my intention to become a career academic. I knew I wanted to pursue a health-related field, but I didn’t realize how much I could enjoy the educational process. I plan to continue working with MRAP as I hope the program can grow to help more enlisted servicemembers like myself and produce quality research in an area that gains little notoriety. Everything I achieve in my future career is built on the foundation MRAP provided, and for that,I am incredibly grateful.
About the Military Research Associate Program (MRAP):
Kindbridge Research Institute’s MRAP assists military members transitioning from military service to advanced training in mental health treatment and research. KRI is on a mission to increase the number of highly trained veterans in public health to improve gambling disorders and mental health outcomes. We believe that veterans have the interest, skills, and workexperience to enable them to add real value to this field and increase representation but lack guidance and access to specific training opportunities to do so. MRAP has been a foundational experience and has helped individuals in achieving their goals between 2022 and 2024.
To apply for the MRAP, complete the form here.