Did You Know?

  • Published
  • By SrA. Kelly Galloway
  • 439th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
WESTOVER AIR RESERVE BASE, Mass. --  The following is the sixth installment of a continuing series about the base, units and the people at Westover.

...Westover has a new full time Chaplain, (Capt.) Matthew Zimmerman!

The following is the interview conducted by SrA. Kelly Galloway with Chaplain Zimmerman.

Why or what made you decide to or inspired you to join the military?

I've always had a bit of a superhero complex. I have always felt compelled to make a difference... to save the world. That was part of it. However, when you ask this question to a chaplain, the answer better have something to do with God! Seriously, though... for me, I believe the military was and is a part of God's plan for me. As I wrapped up high school, it was very clear to me that West Point was the path for me to take.

How long have you been in?

I joined the Army June 15, 1997 when I took the oath entering West Point. I transitioned from active duty in December 2004 to go to the seminary. I switched from the Army Reserve to the Air Force Reserve in 2008.

Tell me a bit about your experiences at West Point - a memorable moment/life experience?

West Point taught me a lot about me: my values, my priorities, and my resolve. My freshman year was extraordinarily difficult (even by West Point standards). I became THE target of the wrath of all three upper classes for about three months. I nearly failed out during my first semester. However, I eventually overcame and graduated. I learned my breaking point, the strength of my faith, and the true depth of our need to be connected to people around us. As a senior, I was on the command staff and repeatedly spoke and represented the Corps of Cadets to people on the outside. In short, it grew from near disaster to an experience I am quite proud of. I was on the rowing (crew) team, served as director of the Cadet Radio Station, helped facilitate the annual military skills competition between West Point, Sandhurst (the U.K.'s version of West Point), and countless ROTC teams.

What did you do before you became a chaplain?

I was an Army armor officer. I commanded tanks and scouts.

Have you ever deployed?

I was stationed at Camp Casey, Korea as a tank platoon leader from 2002 to 2003. I was deployed to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2003 to 2004. In Iraq, I served as a scout platoon leader. We were active in the hunt for Saddam, apprehending high value targets, and the collection of weapons. We were involved in missions across Western Iraq in which my guys and I conducted countless raids resulting in the detention and arrest of about 30 known insurgent leaders and the discovery/seizure of two of the largest weapons caches to date. We were engaged in several direct conflicts and my Bradley Fighting Vehicle struck a land mine during a night patrol. I'm pleased to say that every one of my guys made it home. I received the Bronze Star primarily because I had some incredible people and we took care of each other and the mission.

What made you decide to become a chaplain?

As I hinted above, I live and orient my life by asking God what he would have me do...when I was in Iraq, I believe that he gave me very clear instructions that this is what I am to do. I simply chose to listen and do it.

What do you love most about being a chaplain?

Remember that superhero thing? I love helping people. Life can be challenging at times. I enjoy being able to offer people hope, joy, perspective, or wisdom.

What is your ultimate goal in the military? Is this going to be a career for you? Did you ever think you'd be where you are now?

I believe that I will stay in the military for as long as they let me. I have enjoyed every assignment. Life is what you make it! I don't know really whether I thought I would be here or not. Expectations are a funny thing... I wanted to be making a difference and always knew I would be somewhere helping people do that.

Were you ever at crossroads where you needed to make a decision between personal life and military career? How did you decide?

That is an interesting question. The reality for me is that my personal life and the military have always been fairly intermingled. That being said, when those kinds of decisions come up I seek wisdom outside my own and God's guidance. I'm honestly one of those crazy god-people who actually believe He hears us and I have heard Him talk back. The trick for me has always been to get myself to slow down, remove distractions, and listen. This means prayer and fasting! I pair that with my own common sense and the wisdom of trusted people around me. These steps have never failed to provide me with a good course heading.

What's one thing you wish you had known when you began your military career?

I wish I had truly grasped the amount of effort required to sustain relationships when you are away. I thought I knew that with my head, but I didn't truly understand. When we move around or focus our lives for a time on our training, we have to expend effort to maintain our relationships outside as well.

To find out more about Westover's fulltime chaplain. Chaplain Zimmerman's office is in Bldg. 1100 on Walker Avenue.