Jack Marrano, CDT: U.S. Marine Corps.

When people ask me if I learned dental technology in the Marine Corps, I always laugh and respond, no, but I learned other specialized skills. That’s because the Marine Corps is strictly a fighting force and doesn’t offer any healthcare-related training. However, the skills I learned have been instrumental in helping me not only professionally but personally.

In the Marines you learn you can take your body and mind further than you ever thought possible. My military training taught me to never let my mind be an obstacle and to push to accomplish my goals.

That lesson has been key to my success and I’ve passed it on to other technicians as well as my own family. My son is a second-year dental student and last year was awarded the military’s Health Professions Scholarship (which covers his tuition) and was sworn into the Navy where he will eventually become a Naval Dentist. I am sure he will learn and value the same great skills as...