Samuel Zager, Class of 1997
1997-2004
Midshipman Experience
Born in Subic Bay, Philippines, Dr. Sam Zager graduated from the Naval Academy in 1997, with an Honors degree in History. During his four years at Annapolis, he was a member of 22nd and 17th companies. He busied himself by participating in various extracurricular activities like the Jewish Midshipmen Club, Aikido Club, and Midshipmen Extracurricular Language Learning.
Career Background
During his time in service, Sam earned a Master of Philosophy in Economic and Social History at Oxford University, and was a collegiate rower. In his career, Dr. Zager served as a naval intelligence officer, and qualified as a military parachutist, and submarine crew member. A veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom, he received numerous awards and commendations.
After resigning his commission, Dr. Zager earned an MD from Harvard Medical School, then went to Maine to complete his residency, and establish himself as a family physician. In addition to his voluntary community service, Dr. Zager has also published research on the social determinants of health, and the structure of healthy communities.
Dr. Zager currently represents parts of the city of Portland in the Maine House, to which he was first elected in 2020. His professional and personal travel have taken him to six continents, and over forty states. He lives in Portland, where he enjoys running and biking, and reading works of history and fiction.
The History Major
Dr. Zager observes that his knowledge of history helped him motivate the sailors under his command; in addition, it encouraged their trust in his leadership. Studying history enhanced his reasoning and writing skills; it also improved his ability to structure an argument, and engage with abstract ideas and themes.
Sage Advice
"The Navy and Marine Corps will provide any technical training you need to excel in any warfare community. It's easy for a mid to feel like they need to be an engineering or science major to be set up for success. There's a huge bias about that in Bancroft Hall, or at least there was when I was there. However, it's so much more important to study something you love to study. If that's something else, then do that. If one's passion or interest is history, then do that."
