Craig F
U.S. Marine Corps – University of Illinois College of Medicine
Craig Forsthoefel served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 4 years after graduating from high school in 2005. His motivation to serve rather than immediately attend college stemmed from his family’s extensive line of military service, as well as the ongoing war on terrorism.
After basic training in San Diego, Craig attended the School of Infantry where he trained to become an Infantry Machine Gunner. He was assigned to the Third Battalion, Fourth Marines during his enlistment from June 2005 to June 2009. Craig deployed twice to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom where he served as a SAW gunner for a rifle platoon and as a Mobile Assault Section Leader. Throughout his time in active duty, Craig was interested in furthering his knowledge of health and the impact it has on humans’ well-being. He wanted a career where he could help others and make a difference in their lives.
After he was discharged, Craig attended Colorado State University where he studied chemistry and biomedical sciences with intentions of attending medical school after. He excelled in his studies and was accepted to the University of Illinois College of Medicine in 2013. He is now in his third year of medical school with hopes of becoming an orthopedic surgeon. After completing residency, he hopes to practice in Chicago.