Photo By Pfc. Elisha Hall | U.S. Army Capt. Matthews, native of Columbia, South Carolina, an engineer officer...... read more read more
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There are many reasons why a young adult might choose to join the U.S. Army. For Capt. Hannah Matthews and 1st Lt. Chermaine King, two engineer officers with the 10th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, a tough situation at home compelled them to join in their teens. The Army offered them the possibility of finding support and opportunity that they didn’t have at home.
“I did Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps in high school,” Matthews said as she began by explaining why she joined. “I was that nerd. The joke that I told everybody is that I did JROTC to get out of physical education because I hated sports that much. It was true, but also, with P.E., there was a physical involved… so, to avoid a doctor discovering I’d been experiencing abuse at the time, I did JROTC instead, but I actually ended up loving it too, and gaining a lot of confidence there.”
Unbeknownst to her parents, Matthews began experiencing sexual abuse at the age of 12 that went on for several years. It motivated her to find a means of escape as she approached adulthood in hopes of starting a new chapter.
“I think in a lot of ways the Army saved my life,” Matthews recalled. “I’m very grateful for the structure and resources in place that enabled me to succeed every step of the way. I think that representation matters for young women, in particular. In our Army, it’s important to know that you can be very successful despite a history you may have that could feel otherwise.”
Matthews began her military journey in Columbia, South Carolina. She attended the University of South Carolina, and completed ROTC while earning herself a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.
“Number one thing is confidence,” said Matthews on how her life has improved. “My relationship with my body has also improved. Sexual abuse had resulted in some really messed up associations that I had with my body and I blamed it for a lot of what happened, but I have accomplished so much that I wanted to accomplish for myself with my body, due to how physically demanding the Army is. I wouldn’t have that change of view if it wasn't for those physical challenges that pushed me.”
Matthews earned herself an Army commission after college in a branch that has offered her several opportunities. It’s a life she has built for herself and that now exists in stark contrast to the one she previously had been accustomed to.
“It’s a lot of fun,” said Matthews, when asked about what it’s like to work as an engineer. “I think it’s hard to be skilled in any one position since there’s a lot expected of us. 12-series soldiers are fun to be around. They’re pretty rowdy and rambunctious, but usually really hard-working and wanting to get the job done. It’s made up of those kinds of people, so I like it.”
With plans to pursue a master’s degree, Matthews could have the opportunity to teach leadership to cadets at West Point as part of a follow-on program. She also has plans to foster a teen child, as that’s the age where she also faced adversity.
“You could say that I have a bleeding heart for abused children,” Matthews explained. “Kids wind up in foster care and I don’t think people really understand how messed up their environment has to be already to end up there. I want to love and take care of a child that is not being loved. In particular, a teenage child who may or may not have had some of what I had experienced in their background. To help them as they transition into their adult life.”
Many other Soldiers, such as 1st Lt. King, work alongside Matthews each day. King and Matthews have learned a lot from each other by relating with their pasts, allowing them to be comfortable enough to share their stories together in hopes it might reach others who have had similar experiences and echo deep appreciation for the opportunities that the Army has provided.
“I think initially I just joined the Army to get away from some things in my life that weren’t going too well,” King began, when asked why she decided to join the Army. “I just needed an escape at the time. I didn’t know anything about the Army. I was told something like ‘Eight weeks in the summer, you can do this…’ and I was like ‘hell yeah!’ I could have done it for free. I still would have chosen to join just to get away.”
King grew up in East St. Louis, IL, with her siblings, until they were separated when she was entered into the foster care system at the age of 5. These circumstances resulted in a sense of fear and insecurity which has affected King throughout her whole life.
“When I was in third grade, my 3 younger siblings and I were formally adopted by our foster family,” King described of her childhood. “Our biological parents were busy living their own lives. They struggled with substance abuse. Before entering foster care, I stayed with relatives and bounced around from house to house. Throughout my childhood, the thing I remember the most was just fear. Being afraid of the adults I was around and being afraid to be myself. To trust people. Everyday I was afraid, wondering if that would be how it is for the rest of my life. Afraid that I couldn’t do anything to save my siblings.”
King chose to initially enlist in the Army Reserve in 2015 as a heavy construction equipment operator. Following her initial enlistment, she pursued a degree in construction management from Eastern Illinois University, and then commissioned as an officer in 2022.
“I went into it with no expectations,” King said, recalling her time spent at basic training. “It was probably the best experience of my life, up until that point. Probably just from the fact that I was no longer where I was."
While the scars of the past remain, the Army has at least been able to provide a foundation on which both officers could build a life for themselves and their future families. This growth was witnessed by many over the years, including their commander, who had nothing but good things to say about the officers.
“Captain Matthews has an internal sense of purpose that drives her,” recounted Lt. Col. Brian Walker, commander of the 10th Engineer Battalion, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. “It’s rare to see that in younger people, who often struggle to find their sense of purpose and identity so early on in life.”
As for King, he recognizes her ability to take initiative and provide results that benefit not only the battalion, but the installation. She’s characterized as going above and beyond what is requested and doesn’t need to be asked to do anything more than once.
“She is committed to the Army in a way that is different from her peers,” Walker explained of King. “And I think that’s born out of the fact that she understands inherently what it provides for her family and herself, in terms of opportunities. Because it’s easy to not think deeply about the Army as an organization from a family perspective until you start a family. She understood, not only why what she did mattered, but also how it would impact the family that she would have.”
King and Matthews are living proof that you can change your situation by taking charge and owning where your life path takes you. In allowing themselves to be vulnerable and opening up about their stories, these two brave Soldiers have chosen to be beacons of hope for others who seek to improve themselves and their livelihood.
The Army offers the needed resources for Soldiers and their families to help those who are facing hardships at work and at home. You can find more information about these programs by contacting the numbers below.
The Army Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention Program
DoD Safe Helpline: 877-995-5247
Equal Opportunity
Military Equal Opportunity and Harassment 24-hour Hotline: 256-679-0789
The Military and Family Life Consultants
To find an MFLC office near you call: 800-342-9647
| Date Taken: | 04.26.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 04.30.2024 16:07 |
| Story ID: | 469811 |
| Location: | FORT STEWART, GA, US |
| Hometown: | COLUMBIA, SC, US |
| Hometown: | EAST ST. LOUIS, IL, US |
| Web Views: | 182 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Battling adversity: triumph over trauma in the ranks, by PFC Elisha Hall, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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