Photo By Sgt. Karis Mattingly | U.S. Marine Cpl. Da’Shawn McGee, a trial services noncommissioned officer in charge...... read more read more
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CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan --
He went to recruit training in August 2019 and during the initial Combat Fitness Test his shins were accidentally struck with two ammunition cans. Searing pain shot through his entire body, but he kept on pushing through his training. He knew something was not quite right when he started to experience pain while walking several days after the incident. For seven weeks this Marine unknowingly walked on two fractured shins. By the time it was examined by a doctor, the damage was already done.
Hervey is an active duty Marine, wheelchair bound due to his bilateral tibia stress fractures in both shins.
His injury occurred at the beginning of his U.S. Marine Corps career, but he does not let it hold him back. Every day has its own set of challenges, but through courage and persistence Lance Cpl. Kamerin Hervey, a Longmont, Colorado, native stays true to himself and others.
Past
After the initial injury was healed, he continued on to Marine Combat Training and his school house in Newport, Rhode Island. However, with the added pressure of required physical training, his injury came back worse than ever.
“Once I got to the fleet in Okinawa, my shins started hurting again, and I knew something was not right,” said Hervey, an administrative law clerk with the Legal Services Support Section, Headquarters and Support Battalion. “I went to medical, and I got an X-ray. I was told both fractures had exceeded 60%.”
The percentage of the fractures indicates that he is at a 60% higher chance that both shins will completely fracture and break if he continues walking on them day-in and day-out. Hervey was placed on a wheelchair to help prevent this from occurring.
“I’ve been in a wheelchair since Jan. 22, 2020,” he said. “I have another appointment March 5, 2020, for an MRI and X-ray to see if my shins are healing. If they aren't, then my doctors will keep me in the wheelchair for another six weeks. At that point, if they haven’t healed at all, they will get with the orthopedic surgeon to discuss the possibility of surgery.”
Hervey is currently on limited duty. However, if his doctors see the injuries progressively healing, he will be placed on crutches. If there is no visible improvement, there will be a longer journey ahead for Hervey.
Present
At 6:10 a.m. Hervey wakes up and snoozes the alarm to soak in just a few more moments of peaceful sleep. After fully awake, his shins greet him with a painful good morning, but for Hervey- it's just another day. He sits up and stretches his legs to gain some momentary relief. Then it's time to get ready for work.
Everyday, he hears a knock on the door from his battle buddy and chauffeur. Hervey opens the door, grabs his wheelchair and takes a seat. From that moment on that is his means of travel.
“I use my wheelchair anytime I move from my desk,” he said. “Whether I need to talk to my staff sergeant across the wall or use the head, I utilize the chair.”
He expresses although he is primarily sitting down, it helps to stand up every so often so his legs do not stiffen up throughout the day. Sometimes sitting for prolonged time causes him just as much pain as standing. There are days where Hervey struggles to find any relief.
With strict guidance from his physician, Hervey makes it a point to maintain physical standards despite his condition.
On his own time, to keep his legs active, he conducts body weight workouts in his bed that were provided by his physical therapist. Hervey also goes to the gym located at the back of his shop, despite the inability to use his legs with added weight.
“I do not let myself slip just because of my condition; it is not an excuse,” said Hervey. “ It is just an adjustment I have to overcome.”
At the gym, Hervey solely uses the bench press to work out every major muscle group in the upper body. He also targets his core while on the ground, performing exercises that will not aggravate his injury. Hervey expresses the gym gets his mind off the pain. He looks forward to everyday knowing it will be a time of pure bliss, unbothered by his injury.
“I am an active person; I have always loved physical training,” he said. “I was an avid runner before this. So, my legs not healing kind of upset me. I just have to find something else to keep me motivated until I can start running again.”
He explains that the Marines are the best-of-the-best and first-to-fight. Therefore, maintaining the physical standard is not only a necessity, but a lifestyle. No matter his circumstance, he insists that he still devotes his time and energy to uphold those regulations.
Staff Sgt. Nikita Gnezdilov, an administrative law chief with LSSS, explains that there’s no quit in this Marine.
“He's still here, hookin’ and jabbin’,” he said. “Hervey has done his part to get here even with his injuries, and now it is time to take care of him. He is my Marine, and I want him to continue fighting to get the best care because he deserves that.”
He describes that Hervey’s situation speaks volume to his resilience and dedication to the Marine Corps. Hervey never gave up. He kept training because he wanted to be here; most of all he wanted to be a Marine. Not only did he succeed, but he did it with two fractured shins, Gnezdilov continued.
“From day one he’s had great character,” said Gnezdilov, a native of Selden, New York. “He’s respectful, courteous, does his job well and always follows up; it's everything you’d want in a Marine.”
Gnezdilov explains that himself and other Marines see Herveys perseverance first hand. The impact he has on Marines sheds light on how he takes a tough situation and turns it into a chance to connect and influence others.
“I try to pass on knowledge from what I have learned from my injury,” said Hervey. “I try and make sure others understand that just because something like this can happen, does not mean it stops them from bettering themselves.”
Despite his physical limitations, Hervey does not allow it to affect his work ethic or drive to stay trained and active. Additionally he is the only junior Marine in his shop, so he is expected to be the heartbeat of his section.
He is in charge of ensuring all documents are present and signed for any Marine in Okinawa being processed for an administrative separation. His job is vital because if there is an error in the paperwork, the court case has the possibility of going in favor of the Marine being processed out because of the incorrect or lack of documentation.
Hervey explains that he uses his injury to help influence others. He wants his situation to be a reminder to find the positives in every situation because there is always someone who has it worse, even for him.
“I want people to see me and think, ‘Hey look at Hervey. He’s in a wheelchair with two fractures that have been there over a year and a half, and he’s not giving up. So, why should we?’”
Future
“I just want to heal properly and get back to where I was before my shins fractured,” said Hervey. “I want to contribute more to the Marine Corps, myself and others around me.”
He expresses with passion that even if he is limited physically, he finds other ways to contribute to his work and the Marine Corps. Throughout the day he searches for avenues that reflect a more productive work flow for his duties that are then passed up to his senior leadership. He also continues to look for opportunities to volunteer to show the community that the Marines are here to help.
“The Marine Corps has done a lot of good things for me,” he said. “I’ve seen enough good and met so many impactful people that I want to stay in.”
Before his injury, Hervey explained that he wanted to serve more than just one enlistment. He had dreams of traveling, seeing the world and learning new things, and then returning that knowledge to the Marines after him.
“If my legs heal, I would like to go on Marine Security Guard duty,” said Hervey. “No matter how long it takes I want to do that. I won't let it stop me, I will get there eventually. I just have to be patient. I will continue to give it my all and be a Marine 24/7.”
| Date Taken: | 02.24.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 02.25.2021 01:06 |
| Story ID: | 389674 |
| Location: | CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JP |
| Hometown: | LONGMONT, CO, US |
| Hometown: | SELDEN, NY, US |
| Web Views: | 232 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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