Our Little Sister

Trigger Warning: This post contains discussions of sexual assault and Military Sexual Trauma (MST), which may be distressing to some readers. If you or someone you know is a survivor of MST, support is available through the VA at 1-800-827-1000 or online at mentalhealth.va.gov. we want to change this narrative to read “Call Us Sister, Call us Brother, Here WE Are For YOU”, but we need your help!

Legacy Rooted in Faith and Service

Angela Mathews grew up in Stonecrest, Georgia, where her mother insisted on her given name, Angela, a “beautiful, blessed name,” rejecting the nickname “Angie” that her friends used affectionately. Raised in a devout Christian household, Angela was active in her church, cherishing Sunday services and Wednesday and Saturday evenings filled with the best food and the kindest ladies. Her faith taught her to respect elders and authority, values that would later be tested.

Rising to the rank of Staff Sergeant, Angela served in Bosnia, earning a reputation as a “tough as nails, no B.S.” leader. Her subordinates often found her harsh and private: “SSG Mathews was always a bitch, mean about everything for no reason,” one soldier recalled. “We didn’t even know she wasn’t gay until Bosnia, two years after I started working for her!” But beneath her hardened exterior was the Angie her friends once knew—a woman driven by duty, honor, and a desire to make her family proud.

Service ran deep in Angela’s family. On her mother’s side, two ancestors were among the original Buffalo Soldiers, African American regiments formed in 1866 who served with distinction. Her father and grandfather also served, making military service a proud tradition. A 4.0 student with a dream to serve, Angela joined the Army at 18 and a half as a Financial Management Technician (MOS 36B), a role her father approved of—a blessing that meant the world to her.

A Rapid Rise and a Defining Moment

But Angela’s early military experience wasn’t without challenges. The First time it happened was a shock! During basic training, while in formation waiting to enter the dining facility, a male drill sergeant she’d never seen before—or since—made vulgar comments about her body, remarking on how good her rear end looked in her uniform and what he would “love” to do to it. Raised to respect authority and stay silent, Angela froze, as did the other recruits. In her mind, she waited for righteousness to intervene—this was the military, surely, they couldn’t get away with that? But no one acted, and Angela didn’t speak up, a decision she regrets to this day.

“I wouldn’t ever tolerate that,” Next time, I’ll do something.” The weight of that moment lingered, buried for nearly two years, a stark reminder of the challenges female soldiers face, with studies showing 20-45% of personnel experiencing Military Sexual Trauma (MST) like sexual harassment

Angela excelled from the start. Physically fit and mentally capable, she shot expert and competed with the males in her unit during physical training, earning the rank of Specialist (E-4) in no time. Recognizing her potential, her leaders wanted to give her more responsibility and career opportunities, but their unit couldn’t offer what she deserved.  Her First Sergeant (1SG) arranged for her to join a deployable combat brigade headquarters, a move that thrilled Angela—a move that would challenge her further and open new doors.

Angela was beyond words with excitement to tell her father she was in a combat unit, knowing how proud he’d be of her following in the family’s legacy. The news was a moment of triumph, a testament to her hard work and the faith her leaders had in her.

Facing Grooming

In her new unit, Angela’s record impressed leaders, but her new supervisor, SSG Knucklehead, a former Infantryman injured in training, held an unintended position of power. Respected for his infantry skills—controlling helicopters, communicating on the radio, he faced no competition in a unit with little combat role, mostly female soldiers. Allowing his influence to grow unchecked, SSG Knucklehead isolated Angela, telling others she “didn’t know her job” and was “insubordinate,” while claiming he didn’t want to hurt her record. In reality, he was Isolating, and grooming her.

The abuse escalated during a deployment to Iraq, where SSG Knucklehead raped her repeatedly over more than a year, continuing the assaults after they returned home. He came to her once or twice a week, enforcing a “deal” Angela never agreed to, using his power to silence her. When she tried to speak up, no one believed her, she’d been punished for speaking out before, and her unit dismissed her claims. With SSG Knucklehead “happy,” the unit stopped labeling her a “shitbag soldier,” but the cost was unbearable, changing Angela forever.

Rising Through Trauma to the Pentagon

"SSG Mathews was always a bitch"

Angela’s resilience carried her forward. She made Sergeant (E-5) and was transferred to another unit within the same division, where her new leaders noticed her dedication. She threw herself into her work, avoiding socialization and keeping to herself—a stark contrast to the Angie her friends once knew. Her excellence earned her a promotion to Staff Sergeant (SSG) as soon as she was eligible. The Army transferred her again, this time to the Pentagon, where she handled payroll under the supervision of colonels and surrounded by generals and majors.

At the Pentagon, the “fraternity” culture had mostly faded among senior officers, but Angela still faced the occasional errant lieutenant or Master Sergeant making inappropriate comments. She’d learned to be cold, even to friendly remarks, keeping everyone in check. Her colleagues nicknamed her the “Ice Queen,” a moniker she wore proudly—a testament to her strength and a shield against further harm. Despite her disappointment in the men who failed her, Angela remained proud to serve her country, honoring her family’s legacy.

The Struggle After Service

After leaving the Army, Angela struggled to find her place. The trauma of MST, compounded by the lack of support, made the transition to civilian life harder than any deployment. Without intervention, she faced a grim reality: homelessness. In Denver, Colorado, Angela could have ended up like so many veterans—cold, hungry, and warming her hands by a barrel fire in a homeless encampment near Elati Street and 8th Avenue. Her proud heritage as a descendant of the Buffalo Soldiers faded with her hope, her tattered military jacket, a haunting reminder of the leader she once was. SSG Mathews U.S. Army (retired) Story remains incomplete we can finish with her, and so many more are just examples of what our Warriors (Our Children) face Alone.

Angela could never tell her dad what happened to her especially after her mother’s death while she was in Iraq. These and many, more so many more, you can help with us.

May God continue to Bless you, Thank You

American Warriors Foundation