Dr. Stephen Alfred Talmadge, Jr. earned a Ph.D. in psychology in 1989 and subsequently worked as a licensed clinical psychologist in Naval hospitals and clinics throughout his 20-year career. Early on, he served on a guided missile frigate. After three years, he was sent by the Navy to military medical school, where he completed his Ph.D. in psychology. Following that, he joined the medical staff at various Naval Hospitals both in the U.S. and abroad. His initial role was at a branch medical clinic at a recruit training base, where he encountered many recruits with suicidal tendencies. In later assignments, he worked at another medical clinic in a school setting, where he also assessed numerous sailors with similar issues.