JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
Navy Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Jaime Zhunepluas joined the Navy to provide a better life for himself and his family. Currently serving as a Naval Air Facility Washington training and readiness assistant leading petty officer, his early aspirations were to become a medical service corps officer.
Recently, Zhunepluas reached an academic milestone that put him one step closer to achieving his goal. He earned his doctorate in Business Administration from Columbia Southern University in Orange Beach, Ala.
"I first fell in love with the business administration health care side when I received my Bachelors of Arts in 2007," said Zhunepluas. "My wife has been very supportive of me for the past seven years, taking care of the kids when I came home so I could hit the books. I'm very grateful to her."
Zhunepluas is responsible for providing general military training in coordination with resident subject matter experts in various core GMT areas including: Command Managed Equal Opportunity and Drug and Alcohol Prevention and Abuse. Additionally, Zhunepluas assists five other instructors in teaching more than 3000 selective reservists, as well as coordinating selective leadership training, school quotas and classes for E-4 through O-6.
Now with more than 12 years of medical experience under his belt, Zhunepluas realized that his dream of joining the medical service corps community is still a lofty and competitive goal.
"I put in an officer package before I received my degree, but wasn't selected," said Zhunepluas. "But now that I have my doctorate I'm going to submit my package again. Hopefully, I'll become an officer next year."
Still undaunted by the challenge, Zhunepluas recognizes that earning the degree has provided other opportunities.
"Because my degree hits so many other areas, I have the option of pursuing a career in the intelligence, information professional or supply corp career fields. I'm just trying to open my horizons," said Zhunepluas.
Zhunepluas recently received accolades from a fellow training instructor for achieving his doctorate.
"I think Petty Officer Zhunepluas achieving his PhD is a huge deal," said Air Traffic Controlman 1st Class Christopher League, NAF Washington training and readiness assistant leading petty officer. "Another good thing about him is that he is able to separate the achievement on that level and from what he has to do here at work. His focus is always providing training and getting the job done to the best of his ability. I think this achievement just opens him up to more opportunities."
Zhunepluas' knowledge and naval leadership experience also received notice from NAF Washington leadership.
"Zhunepluas is an exceptional manager and organizer whose demonstrated expertise as a leader has measurably improved the overall performance and readiness of Naval Air Facility Washington," said Master Chief Petty Officer Ceroma Love, NAF Washington Command Master Chief. "His drive and success in accomplishing this milestone has greatly raised the command's moral. NAF Washington's commanding officer, Captain Randy Johnson along with the rest of the personnel at NAF Washington and I are very proud of him."
In an effort to further increase his chances of being selected, Zhunepluas is aspiring to obtain a second Master degree in the information career field, with an emphasis in information technology, information systems or computer studies.
"When I retire one day I would like to become a chief hospital administrator." said Zhunepluas.