CAPTAIN CHRISTINE CERAR

My name is Christine Cerar and I am a captain in the United States Army. I work at Fort Bragg in North Carolina where I'm an endodontic resident.

I commissioned into the Army in the spring of 2001. I went to the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine. The Army was critical in funding part of my education. The HPSP scholarship actually paid me while I was in school so I didn't go into debt.

We have a state of-the-art facility. It's phenomenal-just to train 8 residents. Each resident has their own dental assistant. In the civilian world that environment just doesn't exist. I'm spoiled, actually. It's been a career highlight. I feel very fortunate to be there.

I definitely have a life outside of the Army. I feel fortunate that I have the time for that. In private practice, time is money. In the military, you're able to have a very fulfilling social life. I'm able to go to the beach, take time to travel, spend time with friends.

I look at my peers and my friends in private practice. They can't always take time off. They have to take a financial hit when they do that.

One of the greatest things for me has been the overall feeling that I'm working with a team that's more like a family.

I LOVE treating Soldiers.

I think the best part of my job everyday is the knowledge that I'm treating America's sons and daughters. These people are the best patients to work on. I'm doing them a service and supporting their mission. I feel very proud to be a part of that.