From honor guard to future family physician: How Ryan Rollins’ Air Force service shaped his path to medicine
When Ryan Rollins answers a patient’s questions in clinic, he isn’t just listening
for symptoms. He’s listening for the story behind them.
That instinct was forged long before Rollins became a fourth-year medical student at UNT Health Fort Worth. It began in the U.S. Air Force, where he served for four years as a mental health technician and as a member of the Base Honor Guard. Those experiences shaped not only his career path, but also the kind of physician he hopes to become.
“I didn’t originally see myself going into medicine,” Rollins said. “I grew up in a small town, and I just didn’t think I was capable enough. I knew I wanted to go to college eventually, but I wasn’t ready yet.”
Rather than jump straight into higher education, Rollins enlisted in the Air Force
after high school, drawn by the opportunity to gain life experience, develop discipline
and explore careers in healthcare. He ultimately was assigned to work in mental health,
a placement that would change everything.
In that role, Rollins assisted psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers, conducted patient intakes and triage, and often served as a first point of contact for service members in crisis. One of his earliest experiences involved taking a suicidal call from a young airman.
“I followed him for about a year and a half,” Rollins said. “Seeing him go from that
first phone call to eventually thanking me before he got out of the military, that’s
when I knew I wanted to do more of this.”
The work exposed Rollins to the realities of depression, anxiety, substance use and trauma. It also taught him how to have difficult conversations with compassion and confidence.
“A lot of people are uncomfortable talking about suicide,” he said. “I’m not. I’d rather ask and make sure someone is OK before they leave the office.”
Alongside his mental health duties, Rollins was selected to serve on the Base Honor
Guard, a special-duty assignment responsible for military funeral honors, retirements
and ceremonial events across a large region of Texas. For four months, and later on
an as-needed basis, he participated in near-daily funeral services, including honors
at Arlington National Cemetery.
“It’s the last time a family gets to see the military side of their loved one,” Rollins said. “You want everything to be perfect for them.”
The role demanded absolute precision and professionalism. It also carried deep emotional weight. Rollins describes the experience as one of the most meaningful of his military career.
“It’s sad, but it’s also an honor,” he said. “Being able to show respect for their service and sacrifice means a lot.”
Encouraged by physicians he worked with, including several osteopathic doctors, Rollins began to consider medical school. He was drawn to the osteopathic philosophy of treating the whole person, not just a diagnosis, and chose UNT Health Fort Worth for its strong osteopathic training and supportive learning environment.
Now in his fourth year, Rollins says his confidence has grown dramatically, particularly in outpatient and primary care settings.
“Early on, I was good at taking histories,” he said. “Now I’m comfortable figuring out the next steps, what tests to order, what treatments to start, and how to walk through it with the patient.”
His growth has not gone unnoticed by faculty.
“Getting to know Ryan over the past few years has been an absolute pleasure,” said Yein Lee, DO, associate professor. “He is academically brilliant and has a sharp clinical mind. He is disciplined, extremely professional and consistently handles pressure and a heavy workload with grace and a smile. Ryan has a huge heart for service, and I can’t wait to see the impact he will make as a physician.”
Rollins plans to pursue a career in family medicine, attracted by the specialty’s
breadth, continuity and emphasis on relationships. He recently matched into the University
of Tennessee Family Medicine Program in Jackson, Tennessee.
“In family medicine, you’re taking care of the patient, not just the problem,” he said. “You’re asking about their life, their habits, their stressors. All of it matters.”
He hopes to one day practice in a rural or small-town community similar to the one where he grew up, providing comprehensive care that includes mental health support, musculoskeletal care and preventive medicine.
“I want to make an impact in a community and actually see the difference I’m making,” Rollins said.
As he looks ahead to graduation, Rollins feels both excited and nervous. He remains grounded in the values that have guided him this far.
“Discipline and adversity,” he said. “No matter the obstacle, you just figure out a way to keep going.”
For Rollins, that mindset, shaped by military service, refined through medical training and anchored in compassion, will continue to guide him as he steps into his future as a physician.