7-29-2025 4:49am

Meet Army Commander,

Maryland Soldier earns Doctorate while commanding troops, completes VA residency

By Capt. Dylan Bradford, Maryland National Guard

A Maryland Army National Guard Soldier recently earned the title of doctor and completed a 2,000-hour medical residency, while also commanding an Army intelligence unit and deploying to a combat zone.

Capt. Angela Monfiletto, commander of Alpha Company, 629th Intelligence and Electronic Warfare Battalion, 58th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade, earned her Doctorate of Audiology from Towson University. The milestone marked the culmination of six years of academic study and clinical training on top of her military training and service.

Just before her graduation, Monfiletto completed audiology residency at the Miami Veterans Affairs Medical Center, which is equivalent to 50 full-time work weeks. She also defended her doctoral thesis, “Investigating physiological and perceptual correlations of cochlear synaptopathy in service members with normal hearing.” Her research focuses on a subtle yet significant type of hearing damage that may affect service members, even when traditional hearing tests reveal no loss.

“This is a significant achievement for Capt. Monfiletto,” said Col. Michael Bryant, commander of the 58th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade. “Her commitment to both her military service and professional development is truly commendable.”

The Doctor of Audiology is a clinical doctorate that signifies expertise in diagnosing, treating, and managing hearing and balance disorders across the lifespan. Becoming an audiologist while serving as a leader of Soldiers and deploying overseas required transparency, discipline, and a deep commitment to service.

“Choosing to begin a Doctorate of Audiology after commissioning was a daunting decision,” Monfiletto said. “It meant taking on four more years of intense academic and clinical work while balancing the demands of military service. Those four years eventually became six, but the journey has been rewarding.”
Monfiletto joined the Maryland Army National Guard in 2015, motivated by her father’s military service and her experiences growing up in post-9/11 New York City. She says she did not hesitate to take that opportunity because it was the “right way to honor” her upbringing and to serve something greater than herself.

After commissioning as a military intelligence officer, she deployed to Afghanistan, supported COVID-19 operations during the pandemic, and served as a platoon training officer at the state’s Officer Training School. Later, she assumed command of her unit, where she is now responsible for building a company within a newly established battalion.

“As the first commander of a new unit, my role is important in laying the foundation for everything that follows,” she said. “From implementing lessons learned from past leaders to setting expectations and standards, my team and I play a key role in shaping the unit’s culture and tempo.”
Balancing doctoral coursework with military obligations was a constant challenge, especially during high-tempo assignments.

“There were times when I had to prioritize one over the other, which was stressful, especially when deadlines and responsibilities overlapped,” Monfiletto said. “I had to be completely transparent with both my military supervisors and academic instructors about my situation.”
She credits her support network for her continued success.

“My family and friends have been the cornerstone of my foundation,” she said. “The leaders and mentors in both my military and civilian life have been equally important. Their guidance has been instrumental in helping me make key career decisions, including making the pivotal choice to move to Miami to complete my clinical internship.”

Monfiletto hopes her experience will encourage other Soldiers to pursue advanced education.
“There will never be a ‘perfect’ time,” she said. “If you believe furthering your education will help you become the best version of yourself, don’t hesitate to take that step.”