U.S. Army Soldier By Day, Psychology Student by Night

By Sgt. Jameson HarrisOctober 20, 2022

U.S. Army Soldier By Day, Psychology Student by Night
U.S. Army Spc. Sherayne Graham, assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, XVIII ABN Corps HHBN, poses in front of an Army poster at Fort Bragg, N.C., July 28, 2022. Spc. Graham exemplifies the Army values by working hard as a utilities equipment repairer for HHC. (Photo Credit: Spc. Jameson Harris) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT BRAGG, N.C. – When U.S. Army Spc. Sherayne Graham stood in front of the Education Center, she had a crucial decision ahead of her: Switching from Fayetteville Tech to Campbell University to pursue a more advanced degree. Ever since joining the Army, Spc. Graham has been paving the way for her future success as a Soldier.

Making important decisions is something familiar to Graham. In May 2019, she emigrated from Jamaica to the United States and immediately began looking for opportunities to grow. After speaking with a U.S. Army recruiter, she enlisted as a 91C, a utilities equipment repairer.

Now, she is stationed on Fort Bragg, assigned to Headquarters Support Company, HHBn XVIII ABN Corps. In over two years, Graham has already accumulated 55 credit hours going towards a Bachelor's degree in Psychology.

“There is a huge spotlight on mental issues in the world, but I don’t feel like there’s enough spotlight on how that can be helped,” said Graham. “A lot of people are struggling mentally in silence, and if I can help identify those hidden signs and help those people, that will make a difference.”

Understanding the psychology behind why Soldiers experience the emotions they do became real for Graham after the loss of one of her closest battle buddies. On May 18, 2022, U.S. Army Sgt. Xavier Brasfield, one of the noncommissioned officers in her squad, lost his life after a motorcycle accident. The company attended his subsequent funeral service, remembering all the times he supported the unit’s mission and morale.

“It takes a toll mentally,” said Graham. “We always reminisce about things he said or done.”

Since then, Graham has kept herself busy balancing work, college and life. She maintains a full-time college schedule, as well as her full responsibilities as a utilities equipment repairer. She was especially thankful for her first line supervisor, U.S. Army Sgt. Rodney McFarland, for all the support in her career and education ventures.

“She really grabs the bull by the horns and goes all in to get her work done,” explained Sgt. McFarland. “She’s never been one to ask someone to do something for her. Every time, she asks how she can help make the job easier.”

The future is looking bright for this utilities equipment repairer. Within the year, her goal is to have a Green to Gold packet submitted so she can start the next phase of her Army career as an officer.