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From Machine Gunner to Social Worker
How Military Service Will Help Veteran Matthew Mackay Be a Better Social Worker
Raised in Wakefield Mass, a scenic town located ten miles from Boston, former Corporal Matthew Mackay always knew that he wanted to serve his country after earning his bachelor’s degree in social work at Sacred Heart University. As a third generation veteran whose father and grandfather were both Marines, while his other grandfather served in the Navy, Mackay chose an important path similar to the one followed by members of his family.
“I’m proud that I was able to serve my country and if I was ever needed, I would definitely reenlist,” he said.
Serving four years in the Marines including being stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, as well as stationed in the Middle East and in the chilly Artic Circle, Mackay trained as a machine gunner by completing Infantry Training School and an Advanced Machine Gunners School. He was responsible for the tactical employment of the 7.62mm medium machine gun. Machine gunners, like Mackay, provide direct fire in support of rifle squads, platoons and companies.
While he gained crucial knowledge on many fronts during this time, what stood out in his mind was the emphasis in the military on “never giving up, perseverance and working hard at whatever task you are assigned, whether small or large.” This focus on honoring one’s commitments is front and center as Mackay pursues his next career as a student at Touro College Graduate School of Social Work.
“Respecting people of all races, color and type was further underlined in the Marines and I know I will take that with me as a social worker,” he said.
Mackay’s career goal is to work at a Veterans Affairs (VA) office where he hopes to help other veterans overcome an array of challenges they face upon returning home. While it can be a daunting task for someone without any military experience to understand and assist veterans if they have never experienced what life is like as a solider, Matthew can directly relate to these men and women and feels they will be more willing to open up to him since they share similar backgrounds.
“I want every veteran to know that going back to school is not as impossible as it might seem. While many people say it’s very hard to get back into the academic swing of things after serving, if you put your mind to it and focus, you can do it. Not only are the faculty at Touro really friendly and helpful, the environment they create is extremely open and you can feel comfortable expressing anything you may need or issue you may have. They care about your success and will do what it takes to help you achieve your goals,” according to Mackay.
