Andrea Brewster joined the U.S. Army after discovering a pamphlet in her high school guidance office in 1984 titled “West Point Sports.” At the time, she was hoping to play college field hockey. Although West Point didn’t have a field hockey team, she was inspired by what it did offer: the chance to learn, train, and work toward becoming an Army officer. This idea of combining education and service deeply resonated with her.
West Point and the Army taught her the true importance of teamwork. Early in Plebe year, she learned quickly success was never an individual effort. She saw how much more a team could accomplish when every member felt valued and understood that their contributions mattered. She learned that no one succeeds alone. Building relationships, trusting others, and learning from them were all essential to achieving success.
The hardest part about transitioning to civilian life was losing the sense of being part of something larger than herself. It takes time to develop this sense of purpose in civilian workplaces. The loss of instant camaraderie can be overwhelming.
A 1985 graduate of Notre Dame Academy and former Army officer who served during Desert Storm and Desert Shield, Brewster transitioned into nursing. Inspired by the exceptional nursing care she received when her daughter was born, she has practiced for 28 years. Currently a nurse navigator in reproductive endocrinology and infertility at UMass Memorial Medical Center, her passion has always remained women’s health.
A passage in the cadet prayer states, “Choose the harder right over the easier wrong.” This has guided her throughout her life.
