Rylee Fluharty, a 2016 graduate of Upper Perkiomen High School, keeps on reaching for excellence and attains it with every rung of the ladder she climbs.

Captain Benjamin Hepburn administers the oath of office to Captain Rylee Fluharty.

            Rylee related she "loved growing up in the Upper Perkiomen School District. My parents did everything in their power to ensure my sister and I had a great childhood, and we did. Gymnastics was my main sport growing up but I also was on the track team and pole vaulted all throughout high school. My fondest memories were homecoming, Prom, going to the football games on a Friday night and Mrs. Lychock's painting classes. The teachers I had were truly exceptional and I will always be grateful for their guidance and support."

            Rylee's dream was to become an Officer in the United States Army and to serve as a registered nurse in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps.

            After graduating from high school, the former Red Hill resident went on to Penn State University to continue her journey to become a military officer in the United States Army.  There she earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and a degree in military science through PSU's Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) Program.  She also graduated with military honors and was ranked in the top 10% of all ROTC cadets in the nation.  She officially entered the U.S. Army soon after graduating as a second lieutenant and a registered

Rylee Fluharty received an Expert Field Medical Badge (EFMB) in 2022. EFMB is awarded to military medical personnel who demonstrate exceptional proficiency in combat medical and soldiering skills that included warrior task skills, a 12-mile "timed"  ruck march, a physical fitness test, a written test, day and night land navigation and expert marksmanship status when shooting.

nurse, BSN, in the United States Army Nurse Corps.

             During her four years at Penn State, Rylee achieved and completed many Army requirements.  She also joined Army Ranger Training and traveled overseas to several different countries for specialized training and Army operations.

            After graduation from Penn State University Rylee served "active duty" as required for military service in the U.S. Army.  Rylee was stationed at Tripler Army Medical Center in Oahu, Hawaii, for four years, during which time she worked in critical care, climbed the ranks and was promoted to first lieutenant.

            Rylee also embarked on a journey and set several goals to achieve certain specialty badges adding to her list of accomplishments.  She received an Expert Field Medical Badge (EFMB) in 2022, a prestigious U.S. Army badge awarded to military medical personnel who demonstrate exceptional proficiency in combat medical and soldiering skills through a rigorous testing process. It includes warrior task skills, a 12-mile "timed" ruck march, a physical fitness test, a written test, day and night land navigation, and expert marksmanship status when shooting.

            In 2023, Rylee completed Air Assault School and was awarded her "Wings" and Air Assault Badge.  Air Assault School is a U.S. Army course that trains soldiers in helicopter operations, including rappelling, sling-loading techniques, and combat insertion, to prepare them for rapid deployment and maneuvering in combat zones.

            Rylee went on to further her nursing career by specializing in emergency trauma medicine and was then stationed in San Antonio, Texas, at Fort Sam Houston, where she enrolled in the Army Emergency Trauma Nursing course, an intensive training program designed to equip military nurses with advanced emergency care skills, including trauma assessment, life-saving interventions, and battlefield-specific medical techniques to prepare nurses for critical care in military and austere environments.  

            Rylee was stationed at Fort Sam Houston and worked "Level 1" emergency trauma at Brooke Army Medical Center. It was here that Rylee became a certified emergency trauma nurse and graduated first in her class.

            After graduation from the Army emergency trauma course in June 2024, Rylee deployed to her next duty station in Washington State and was promoted to captain in November 2024.  Her current position is a trauma nurse at Madigan Army Medical Center on Joint Base Lewis McChord.

            According to Rylee, she still has another year and a half of active duty time and is currently deciding if she wants to extend her contract. She thinks it will be more than likely be active duty for another four years. If not, she'll be an inactive reserve for the remainder of her contract. 

            Rylee wrote, "After my required service is completed, I would like to go back to school for my masters in education and teach trauma at a university. Or apply for anesthesia school to become a CRNA (certified registered nurse anesthetist)." 

            "The best thing about the Army is the sense of purpose and camaraderie," Rylee said.

            "You become a part of a team that shares a mission bigger than yourself. The bonds forged through shared challenges and the personal growth that comes from discipline are truly unmatched. The people are what make the Army a fantastic organization. We challenge each other every day to be better than we were yesterday."