FORT STEWART, Ga. - Serving as a Military Spouse can be complex sometimes, even grueling when compared to the day of their Military Soldier. For one 2nd "Spartan" Brigade Combat Team, Third Infantry Division spouse, whose complex roles of also being a loving wife, volunteer and cheerleader are usually easier said than done.
Corie Weathers has been an inspiration to the Soldiers and Family Members of the Spartan Brigade and Fort Stewart. This is nothing new for Weathers.
While at Fort Carson, the 4th Infantry Division Commanding General awarded her with the Commander's Award for Excellence. She is also the recipient of the Cavalry's St. Joan d'Arc medallion for exceptional volunteerism, as well as the Field Artillery's prestigious Molly Pitcher Award.
"I am biased," said Capt. Matthew Weathers, Chaplain 2nd BCT, 3rd ID, and husband of Corie."But her support to the Spartan Brigade has been an inspiration to me."
Weathers has played a major role in the Strengthening of Families within the Spartan Brigade and the local community. During the 2012 school year, she volunteered at Patriot Elementary School while simultaneously working two days a week as a therapist and support group leader in downtown Hinesville at the Fraser Center.
"Weathers is a great asset. She co-led 15 Soldier and Family retreats for almost every unit in 2BCT," said Chaplain John Grauer, 3rd ID. "Her training and experience has set her up for success in assisting Families during deployment and stressful situations."
She attended the Department of Defense Center for Deployment Psychology as a civilian, where she received Training in Prolonged Exposure Therapy used in Post Traumatic Stress Disorders.
She has led professional development training with the Protestant Women of the Chapel board, and is one of two spouses in the Chaplain Corps qualified as an advisor to certify chaplains and spouses as "Gallup Strengths Finder" coaches, according to Capt. Weathers.
Weathers has also taken the lead in shaping the 2BCT Casualty Assistance Response Team, (Care/Go Teams) for Family Members in the case of Soldiers downrange, and has already deployed as a Go Team leader for 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery, 2nd BCT, in response to the loss of a child. She co-lead the Suicide Surviving Spouses' Group and Spouse of Soldiers with PTSD Group with Installation Family Life Chap. (Maj.) Dan Hardin.
Though deployments have been hard on Families, Weathers has taken the lead as a Spartan cheerleader, who has Spartan Spirit.
Weathers along with spouses from 2BCT put on a skit that displayed true Spartan Spirit during the Commanding General's Spouses Dinning-In that still continues to make us laugh throughout the brigade, said Maj. Joy Young, 2BCT Aviation Officer. The skit was later uploaded to YouTube.
After watching the video, Staff Sgt. Freeman, 2BCT S3 Operations said, "I think am going to put the link on my facebook page to show my Family and friends that we work hard but also come together with Family and friends to embrace what it means to be a Spartan."
Weathers' contributions to the Spartan Brigade and local communities speak volumes.
She is dedicated to the unit. And not only is she quite funny, she is an inspiration to the many Soldiers and Family Members of 2BCT and 3rd ID.
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