Anyone graduating from medical school in 1966 had first to fulfill military service before launching a career. Fiercely opposed to the Vietnam War, I sought to avoid it through an assignment to the Public Health Service.

In this quote, Harold E. Varmus reflects on his experience as a medical school graduate in 1966, when students were required to complete military service before beginning their careers. Varmus, who was fiercely opposed to the Vietnam War, shares how he sought to avoid direct involvement in the conflict by requesting an assignment to the Public Health Service. This decision highlights his desire to contribute to society in a way that aligned with his personal beliefs while fulfilling his military obligations.

Varmus’s statement underscores the tension between personal values and the expectations of the time. By choosing the Public Health Service, he was able to serve his country without being involved in combat, which was a key issue for many young people who were anti-war during the 1960s. This choice reflects a broader sentiment of protest against the Vietnam War, especially among individuals who wanted to avoid fighting in a conflict they viewed as unjust.

The origin of this quote comes from Varmus's background as a Nobel laureate in medicine and his later work in cancer research. His decision to pursue a Public Health Service assignment was pivotal in shaping his career path, allowing him to focus on public health initiatives rather than military service. Varmus’s story is an example of how individuals in the 1960s navigated the difficult political landscape and made decisions that were both personally and professionally meaningful.

Ultimately, Varmus’s quote highlights the complex relationship between military service, personal beliefs, and career aspirations during a turbulent period in American history. His choice to serve in the Public Health Service instead of fighting in the Vietnam War not only reflects his opposition to the war but also set the stage for his contributions to public health and medical science later in life.