DOTHAN, Ala – The Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine (ACOM) and Special Operations Forces to School of Medicine (SOFtoSOM) are proud to announce a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreement offering priority status to qualified military veterans.

The three-year MOU agreement was signed and implemented at the beginning of this academic year. The agreement guarantees SOFtoSOM veterans who have been vetted academically and who have achieved a minimum MCAT score will receive an admissions interview, and it waives the admission fee. It also provides admission at no cost into the Anatomy Boot Camp, which takes place prior to the first semester of medical school.

“We are excited about this opportunity to provide these military heroes an opportunity to realize their dream of becoming physicians,” said Christina Kennedy, PhD, director of Community Partnerships. “This agreement allows us to recruit some of the military’s brightest soldiers to ACOM.”

Dr. Kennedy is confident that this MOU not only reflects the collaboration of ACOM and SOFtoSOM, but it will also provide a strong platform for future initiatives.

The SOFtoSOM expressed its honor in partnering with ACOM in the shared mission of supporting our nation’s most elite veterans as they transition from the battlefield to the bedside. This organization believes the agreement represents more than just an admissions pathway. It is a testament to ACOM’s commitment to recognizing the unique strengths, discipline, and service-driven mindset that Special Operations veterans bring to medicine. SOFtoSOM believes this collaboration will not only open doors for our candidates, but it will also enrich the ACOM community with future physicians forged through years of selfless service and leadership.

SOFtoSOM began as a grassroots initiative, uniting Special Operations Forces service members through social media to support one another on the path to medical school. What started as informal MCAT study sessions quickly evolved into a thriving community of SOF veterans and students, providing mentorship and resources from pre-med preparation to medical school success. In 2023, driven by a shared commitment to making a lasting impact, these veterans formally established SOFtoSOM, which is the first nonprofit organization dedicated to guiding Special Operators in the transition from the battlefield to health care, carrying forward the same integrity, leadership, and resilience that define their service.

For more information about the SOFtoSOM program at ACOM, visit  www.acom.edu.