By Taylor Hughes
Many members of my family have served in the U.S. military, and growing up, I knew it was a place where I could make a difference. I enlisted in the New Jersey Air National Guard (a component of the U.S. Air Force) as a Health Services Management Technician in 2018.
In April 2020, the National Guard activated me as part of a statewide response, and I joined Joint Task Force 57 in Secaucus, New Jersey. There, I was tasked with improving the daily flow of patient documentation and the general organization of a temporary field hospital. My experience during the COVID-19 pandemic laid the foundation for my future interests in health policy and public health. During the pandemic, personnel from my unit were also tasked at veterans’ homes and testing centers throughout the state and, eventually, administered thousands of vaccine doses to both military members and civilians. When people at home needed help, we answered the call. I take great pride in being part of this organization. This pride in our mission and a call to leadership motivated me to apply for a Medical Service Corps (MSC) Officer (Healthcare Administrator) position in my unit.
I was selected for the position. In July 2024, I proceeded to Officer Training School (OTS) at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, AL, to complete the first phase of my professional military education.
Officer Training School is one of three commissioning sources for all components of the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Space Force, the other two being the Air Force Academy in Colorado and the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program at participating universities. Officer Trainees at OTS come from diverse backgrounds, which enriches the training environment with valuable perspectives and leadership styles. While at Maxwell, I was challenged both physically and mentally through various assessments and activities. I learned how to leverage my strengths to lift others and elevate team performance. I also discovered how crucial being an effective follower is to mission success. One of my biggest takeaways was that leading is easy when conditions are favorable, but we must be prepared to lead effectively when conditions are difficult.
My plan is to continue serving in the National Guard while pursuing a full-time civilian career in public service. My life’s purpose is simply to make the world a better place, and I get up every day with that goal in mind.
Taylor Hughes is a graduate student pursuing a Master of Public Policy degree at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy. She serves as a research assistant with the New Jersey State Policy Lab.