Season 2, Episode 1: Melissa Davis Interview - January 18, 2014

Veteran Institute

Melissa is a US Army veteran and a survivor of military sexual trauma. Three months into her eighteenth year, she was a young private, training to be transportation specialist stationed at Ft. Eustis, VA when her southern accent caught the attention of a male drill sergeant. Her life was forever changed after those seven weeks of hell under his command. Through her recovery, she has become an advocate for fellow MST victims and their families. Her new book, "Silenced No More: The Courage of a Soldier - Life After Military Sexual Trauma," is about her story and two beautiful young women who lost their lives to military sexual trauma. Melissa’s book is not just about military sexual trauma, but it also details the out of control spiral PTSD reeks on the veteran’s life and the outfall their families must live with. The book explains PTSD, covers several different recovery programs and methods, group support for veterans and their families, and after care support groups and retreats. It is not just a book, but a wealth of information. Melissa graduated from Sam Houston State University with a degree in criminal justice; a resident of Fairfield Bay, Arkansas, with her husband of sixteen years and the mother of three children, a stepson, and the grandmother of three beautiful grandchildren. She is active in the Fairfield Bay Baptist church, her community, and continues on the road to recovery at the Little Rock Veterans Administration Hospital and through writing her story.