From Immigrant to Officer
In 2013, when Jervaughn Miller was 18, his family emigrated from Jamaica to the United States in search of a better life. Miller鈥檚 parents believed that greater opportunities were in store for their son. 鈥淲e didn鈥檛 have everything figured out, but they believed in the promise that hard work and dedication could lead to something better,鈥� he says. Twelve years later, Miller is in the military, has three degrees, and works to contain hazardous materials. He’s proving the American dream isn鈥檛 just a fairy聽tale.
During his deployment to Guant谩namo Bay, Cuba, from December 2017 to October 2018, Miller worked night shifts as a hospital corpsman. He spent most of his nights responding to medical emergencies and providing health care to his fellow service members. One evening, his chief gathered all the sailors outside the living quarters to explain his expectations of them. He also gave them an ultimatum: Either find a hobby or go back to聽school.
鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 do any hobbies or play any sports, so I chose school,鈥� he says, remembering his parents鈥� belief that a better education and a better future were attainable in the United States. That belief was deeply personal to Miller and would stay with him throughout his military and educational聽career.
Miller needed to pick a major. He chose health care, in part due to his role as a hospital corpsman. However, his military duties made it difficult to take courses in person. So, instead of focusing on the clinical side of health care, he decided to focus on prevention, policy, and public聽health.
Those interests led him to 杏吧原创 (then College). The school’s education standards impressed him. While stationed at the Naval Support Activity Orlando base not long after his time in Guant谩namo Bay, he completed his associate degree (2019) and bachelor鈥檚 degree (2021), both in health sciences, before starting work on his Master of Science in Health聽Sciences.
Learning While Leading
The curriculum of Excelsior鈥檚 health sciences programs supported his interest in public health. 鈥淭he courses enlightened me of all the issues that our health care system is experiencing right now. It piqued my interest,鈥� he聽says.
In 2022, after spending eight years in the Navy, Miller was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Army. He decided to attend the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Basic Officer Leadership Course to start focusing on public health concerns. It wasn鈥檛 easy; Miller took the course at the same time he was completing his master鈥檚. It was no small task, but he pushed through and finished both programs in聽2023.
As a CBRN officer, Miller leads a command defending against chemical and biological weapons, and weapons of mass destruction. 鈥淚n essence, we try to detect, analyze, and mitigate any type of chemical, biological, or radiological threats,鈥� he says. 鈥淚f we have personnel or equipment that are contaminated, we are able to decontaminate them. 鈥� Many of us are also trained as hazmat聽technicians.鈥�
As a reconnaissance platoon leader, Miller oversees what he calls a 鈥渕obile science lab on wheels.鈥� This specialized military vehicle carries equipment that detects and analyzes hazardous agents in real time. If there鈥檚 a nuclear event or chemical spill, Miller and his colleagues drive in, collect samples, and determine what鈥檚 out there. Mini mobile labs allow them to test the air samples from safely inside their vehicles. Air is pulled in through ports, analyzed by detectors, and displayed on screens inside, giving the team immediate data. Although not usually necessary, if Miller and his team need to go outside, they wear required protective suits and聽masks.
Training for the Unthinkable
Most days aren鈥檛 spent in active crisis response, but Miller and his team are constantly training. Miller鈥檚 days begin at 6:30 a.m. with physical training, followed by working on vehicles and doing drills. He also has leadership duties such as managing soldiers, planning training for his 16-member platoon, and briefing senior聽officers.
Miller鈥檚 academic background directly supports his Army work. Excelsior鈥檚 courses in biology, environmental science, and even weather have practical applications in understanding how hazards spread. Leadership training has been equally important. 鈥淎 few of my classes had a leadership aspect to it, like how to be a good leader, servant leader, so that kind of really helped me to be a good leader to my platoon and the orders that I鈥檓 giving,鈥� he聽says.
With 11 years of service鈥攅ight in the Navy, three in the Army鈥擬iller remains focused on his platoon, his higher education, and his mission of improving public health and safety. He credits Excelsior for his growth and where he is聽today.
The Road Ahead
But there鈥檚 a spark in Miller that pushes him to do more. He鈥檚 pursuing a doctoral degree in health care administration at Virginia University of Lynchburg. 鈥淧reventative medicine is my thing. I鈥檓 really big into holistic care, preventative medicine, using the wellness model 鈥� maybe creating some type of wellness program to help people better their health,鈥� Miller says. He wants to teach, influence policy, and develop wellness programs to prevent public聽illness.
His Excelsior experience may have set him up for a career beyond the military, but it was his family who instilled in him the importance of never giving up. For as much as he values his achievements, he knows how much every milestone of his journey has meant to his parents. 鈥淓very degree I鈥檝e earned has been a reflection not just of my personal drive but also of the sacrifices my family made to give me this chance,鈥� he聽says.
Miller shows that it may be difficult, but with determination and hard work, the American dream is never far out of聽reach.
