The Few. The Proud. The Marines. We are forever grateful for the service of our troops. The Marines are a distinct branch of the armed services that remain faithful to the mission at hand, to each other, to the Corps and to country, no matter what. And while it is seen as a brotherhood, it is also a sisterhood, with more and more women joining each year.
That brings us to today’s First Friday Interview. Megan Cavanaugh, a local Philadelphian, enlisted in the Marines in high school. To date she has served eight years in the USMC, did a tour in Iraq, and is currently one of 25 finalists from over 500 women chosen to compete for the title of Ms. Veteran America 2015. Megan gives us the insight on the life of a woman in the Marines, how to help address the homelessness of women veterans, and her experiences with the Ms. Veteran America Pageant.
Philly PR Girl: Tell us a bit about yourself, where you grew up, and your experiences in the Marine Corps!
Megan Cavanaugh: I was born and raised in Philadelphia; I grew up in the Northeast where I attended St. Williams Catholic School and the Philadelphia High School for Girls. I have four sisters and a brother and my family was, and for the most part, is still living in Philadelphia or in the nearby suburbs.
I entered into the Delayed Entry Program for the United States Marine Corps when I was just turning 17, the November of my senior year in high school. This was very unusual for my family and my school, as we are known as a college preparatory high school and it was unheard of for us to enlist into the Military versus moving onto academia. I was the first in my family to enlist besides, of course, my grandparents. This was a new experience for my family especially my mother, as I was the youngest (well, my identical twin sister and I). I shipped off to recruit training September 12, 2004, less than 2 months after graduation, and started my new life as a U.S. Marine.
Philly PR Girl: What first inspired you to serve? In what ways have you personally grown from your years of service and time spent on tour?
Megan Cavanaugh: The first of the twin towers fell during the class break between 3rd and 4th period of my sophomore year. I was walking to my 4th period English class when we heard the gossip and the screams and the commotion. When I walked into 4th period, my teacher, Mr. Straff, had just turned the TV on in time for us to see the 2nd building fall. This was the craziest day of my life, so much changed in those couple minutes for me and for our country.
In the days and weeks that followed, we had a list passed around for those who would allow the Military to contact us for information on serving our country. It was voluntary and, because most of us were under 17, it wouldn’t be utilized for a couple of years. Still, I was one of MAYBE five in my entire 300 girl class who signed and gave permission. This FLOORED me, as we were just attacked and lives were lost. I assumed there would be more of an interest in protecting our loved ones. From then on I was very interested in what would happen, and the summer going into senior year me and a group of my friends started talking and working out with U.S. Marine Corps Recruiters.
I learned so much while on Active Duty. I grew up on Active Duty. I left at 17 and came home at 25. My entire adult life, my first love, my first heartbreak, my first apartment, real job, the loss of friends; this all happened while I was in the Military, all of my firsts and so much more.
Philly PR Girl: What challenges have you found to be most difficult to overcome as a woman serving overseas?
Megan Cavanaugh: As a woman in the Military, it is difficult to know where you stand and where you fit in. You want to hope and believe that you will be looked at the same as every other Marine but that is rarely the case. It is like having two captains of the football team; it cannot happen and you are constantly trying to outperform yourself and everyone else.
Probably the most difficult thing for me was leaving my family and being separated for so long – it’s like every one changes and you stay the same. Probably the most obvious challenge is the issue that you are sometimes looked at as “the entertainment,” the new meat. When you check into a new unit, you’re being judged head to toe, physically and professionally. It almost becomes a game to see who, if anyone, will get you to date them. Being able to support the mission effectively, make friends, and maintain the respect of the troops and your personal integrity are sometimes very difficult to do.
Philly PR Girl: Tell us about your platform in support of Final Salute Inc.!
Megan Cavanaugh: Final Salute is the only charity that focuses specifically on homeless women veterans and their families. It is easy for people to forget that there is a real need for programs designed specifically for women because, for the most part, we want to be looked at and cared for as equals. At the end of the day, there are some scenarios where women cannot receive assistance because they have families or they are frightened to request for help because they do not want to lose their children because of their homelessness.
Veterans have a difficult enough time transitioning to life after active duty, especially when you may be a single parent. We need more support and organizations like Final Salute to look at the woman as a veteran, but also recognize that she may be a mother or caretaker, too.
Philly PR Girl: What would winning this pageant mean for you?
Megan Cavanaugh: Winning this pageant would be the world to me. I got involved determined to redefine my life, and I had been struggling for previous 12 months with being a single mom; with the loss of my relationship with my father; my self-esteem, body image, and on and on. I entered this competition never DREAMING that I actually had a chance at winning. When I was selected to be one of the top 25, everything in my mind changed and all of a sudden anything was possible.
I am competing in this competition in memory of those I have lost while serving, to combat and non-combat wounds. I am serving for all of the girls and women told they weren’t enough, told they could never do it. Winning would allow me the time and place to speak to the actual women I am trying to serve and open so many opportunities for.
Philly PR Girl: How would you urge others to get involved in helping homeless and female veterans in their own communities?
Megan Cavanaugh: People think that they have to make grand gestures in order to help and make a difference. This is just untrue, as anything and everything really does help. All of those clothes you’re throwing away because they are out of date or do not fit, maybe have a tear or stain; bag them up. Take them to the nearest shelter. Host a Secret Santa and have your guests bring a gift for a homeless Veteran. With the cold months ahead, warm clothing is the hardest to find. Long johns, thermal underwear, hats, scarves, gloves, and waterproof clothing.
Lastly, compassion goes a long way. Take the time to volunteer at a shelter, and get to know these men and women. You will find they are no different than yourself; they just hit a rough patch and can’t seem to stop spinning. If you can’t help in these ways, monetary donations are always accepted and welcome. Final Salute is a 501(c)(3), and the Ms. Veteran America competition takes all proceeds and donations to help train and house women in money management and provides women with the resources to get and keep stable housing.
If you want to help out with either organization mentioned above, you can check out Final Salute Inc. and Ms. Veteran America online. If you would like to help Megan in her quest to win the Ms. Veteran America Pageant, check out her Facebook!
