For many students, the first semester of pharmacy school is a shock to the system. But for Esther Hao, PharmD/MS Regulatory Science ’28, a heavy course load is nothing compared to the 4:30 a.m. wake-up calls and combat training she experienced in the U.S. Army.
Hao, a dual-degree Doctor of Pharmacy and Regulatory Science master’s student at USC Mann, has a unique background that sets her apart: She’s a U.S. Army veteran, the parent of a preschool-age son and an award-winning graduate of the Army’s pharmacy specialist training program.
Her journey in the Army began with 10 weeks of basic combat training at Fort Sill, Okla. There, she took part in daily physical training, formation runs and other endurance exercises, all while adapting to a schedule that began well before dawn. Others may have struggled and quit, but Hao focused on the mission and kept going.
“I just thought, I’ll never quit,” she recalls.
Hao then moved on to advanced individual training at Joint Base San Antonio in Fort Sam Houston, Texas—known as the “Home of Army Medicine”—for the Army’s 23-week 68Q Pharmacy Specialist course. The training was academically intense, while also requiring soldiers to balance demanding physical performance with their studies.
“We had to memorize and understand a long list of drug names and mechanisms of action, followed immediately by a physical exam the next morning,” Hao says. “The preparation for those days was timed almost down to the second, and I remember pushing myself to stay focused and do my best in both academic and physical performance.”
Hao not only adapted but excelled. She finished as the top scorer in her cohort of about 50 recruits, earning the designation of Distinguished Honor Graduate. For this accomplishment, she received the Army Achievement Medal and a certificate noting that her “dedication and commitment to excellence is in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon herself, the 264th Medical Battalion and the United States Army.”
A “lifelong honor”
“Earning that recognition is a lifelong honor for me,” she says. “It reminds me of the value of hard work, perseverance and constantly adjusting my direction to reach my goals.”
After training, she was stationed at Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center at Fort Cavazos, Texas (formerly known as Fort Hood). Working long days—and nights—in the hospital’s 24-hour inpatient pharmacy gave her an understanding of patient care and made her realize she wanted to pursue a PharmD.
“I learned that communication and problem-solving are essential, especially in high-pressure environments where people come from different cultures, backgrounds and age groups. The Army showed me that true teamwork isn’t just about following orders—it’s about understanding others, adapting and finding solutions together.”
The environment also helped her clarify her career path. “The Army taught me that patient safety is always the top priority,” she says. “I became more aware of how important drug regulation, supply chain integrity, and quality control are to ensuring safe and effective medication use. That perspective ultimately led me to pursue regulatory science alongside my PharmD.”
Using the G.I. Bill, Hao returned home to California to further her education, graduating from UC Berkeley with a degree in cellular and molecular biology in 2023 before enrolling at USC Mann.
Today, as she balances her dual-degree curriculum with actively parenting her 4-year-old son, Caleb, she relies daily on the unique perspective she gained in uniform.
Hao is now focused on earning an industry fellowship after graduation and building a career in the pharmaceutical industry. She views USC as a place filled with resources and choices, noting, “There is so much potential to grow here.”
Ultimately, she believes her military experience has given her a special advantage.
“The resilience I built in the Army has carried me through every challenge,” she says. “I’ve learned that resilience often matters more than competence—it’s what keeps me moving forward even when things get tough.”