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For many who serve in the military, the call to care for others extends far beyond the ranks. Two military service members—one a veteran and one still on active duty—have been guided by this purpose to the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, where they’ve found that their experiences in uniform have well prepared them for the challenges of nursing and beyond.

Balancing the demands of military service with nursing school obligations is no small task, but these military members say the two worlds share more similarities than differences. Whether leading troops or supporting patients at the bedside, they rely on the same skills: quick thinking, leadership and an unwavering commitment to serve. For them, nursing isn’t a career change—it’s a continuation of their mission to help others, just in a different kind of uniform.

Here, the School of Nursing’s Abby Henkel, RN, and Aubrey “Bre” Boswell share their experiences transitioning from the base to the hospital. From big families and Hawaiian adventures to midwifery and pediatric nursing, their unique experiences are shaping their futures in exciting ways.

Abby Henkel, RN

Captain, U.S. Air National Guard

Balancing graduate coursework, clinical work and military service would challenge almost anyone—but for Abby Henkel, it’s all part of a journey defined by adaptability and steady leadership. An Air Force National Guard officer, labor and delivery nurse, graduate student and future midwife, Henkel has built her life around service—whether in uniform, in the classroom or in the delivery room.

Thirteen years ago, Henkel joined the United States Air Force National Guard, where she became a search and extraction medic as part of a mobile medical mission responding to natural disasters and other incidents in the U.S. In this role, she learned lessons that continue to shape her approach to care and collaboration today.

“In the military, you learn quickly that leadership isn’t about rank, it’s about trust,” she said. “People follow you because they believe you’ll take care of them. That’s something I carry into every part of my life.”

Embracing new opportunities 

Henkel took advantage of military education benefits to attend nursing school and, in addition to her National Guard commitments, became a labor and delivery nurse at Cleveland Clinic. Henkel also enrolled in the midwifery post-graduate certificate program at the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing. Taking on so many responsibilities may seem like she’s being pulled in many different directions, but for Henkel, the connection between her multiple roles in the military and healthcare feels natural. 

“Both require composure under pressure and a calm presence when others are looking to you for reassurance,” she explained. “As a labor and delivery nurse, or midwife, you’re supporting people through one of the most vulnerable and powerful experiences of their lives. It is a responsibility I take to heart.”

Henkel was drawn to midwifery by a deep respect for women’s strength and a desire to make healthcare more personal and empowering. One of 11 kids—10 of whom were home births—she’s especially passionate about improving maternal care and empowering patients through education and choice. 

“Birth is a profound moment,” she said. “To be part of that—to make sure people feel safe, respected and heard—is an incredible privilege

Forging forward

Now a captain in the National Guard, managing such a packed schedule along with family responsibilities is challenging, but Henkel credits her military background with giving her the structure to manage it all. The secret? Perspective. 

“Discipline helps,” she said with a laugh, “but so does knowing when to rest. You can’t be your best if you’re running on empty.”

Whether in uniform or scrubs, Henkel leads with the same quiet strength that’s carried her through every stage of her journey. When asked what advice she’d give to other students, Henkel didn't hesitate.

“Stay curious," she said. "Be open to where life takes you and don’t be afraid to change directions. Every experience, even the hard ones, can prepare you for what’s next.”

Bre Boswell

Retired U.S. Army Major

When Bre Boswell entered the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 2008, she already understood the meaning of service. Inspired by a family legacy of military commitment—her uncle re-enlisted after 9/11—she felt a similar sense of purpose. That spirit became the foundation of a career defined by adaptability, leadership and compassion, traits that continue to guide her today as a nurse and graduate student at the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing.

After graduating from West Point in 2012, Boswell was commissioned as a chemical officer and was stationed at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. Her first assignment was on an infantry battalion staff, a job previously closed to women until 2012. Her job required versatility.

“You become a jack of all trades,” she recalled, “You have to adapt to whatever comes your way.”

Boswell took this as a challenge to learn as much as she could about things that didn’t necessarily apply directly to her role (including building the jungle operations school in Hawaii and public affairs). Some of the skills she learned became critical later: After firefighters taught her about vehicle extraction, she applied those skills in real life, helping remove someone from a car after a bad accident when no one else on scene was sure how to do it.  

Her most meaningful assignment came when she was selected to serve in a Wounded Warrior Battalion, helping injured and ill soldiers return to duty or transition to civilian life. First as a company executive officer, and later as a company commander, she oversaw medical, emotional and professional rehabilitation for service members navigating profound identity changes. 

“You’re helping people rebuild who they are,” she said. “It’s selfless work; you have to meet people where they are and help them find purpose again.” 

Finding her own purpose

Boswell’s own transition out of the Army mirrored those she once guided. After 11 years of service, she left active duty in 2023 as a major and entered nursing school through the Department of Veterans Affairs' Vocational Rehabilitation program. The transition wasn’t easy—“I’d never been a civilian before,” she laughed—but she found familiar ground in the teamwork, critical thinking and flexibility nursing demanded.

“It was strange becoming a civilian for the first time,” she admitted. “But adaptability doesn’t end when you take off the uniform; it just looks different.”

Now in her final year of graduate school, Boswell spent the past summer interning at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, with a focus on pediatric care. Boswell brought her Army-honed leadership, curiosity and resilience to both the job and school, where she is constantly absorbing new knowledge. She now plans to go into pediatric nursing, but her willingness to say yes to new things—to learn, lead and adapt—has become her hallmark as she explores options for her career after graduation.

Learning from experience

Boswell’s advice to others making big changes mirrors the lessons she’s carried throughout her life: Don’t fear the unknown, stay open to learning and be willing to make mistakes. 

“You have to be adaptable,” she said. “If you’re wrong, be confidently wrong. Take the shot, try the thing. You’ll either do it well or you’ll learn something new, and both are wins. Plans change sometimes and you must be able to adapt.”

Looking ahead, Boswell hopes to become a pediatric nurse practitioner, blending her medical training with her passion for helping others find strength through adversity. But whether guiding soldiers or caring for children, she continues to live by the principle that first drew her to West Point: service for more than herself.