2019 Tillman Scholar

Eric Chastain

Army
University of Southern California
DSW

“I’M DEDICATED TO IMPROVING COMMUNITIES AND RESTORING FAMILY INTEGRITY THROUGH DECARCERATION POLICY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM.”

Eric is a Command Sergeant Major in the United States Army with 23 years of active military service. He has served in every duty position from rifleman through sergeant major and currently serves as a Brigade Command Sergeant Major. Eric recognizes his successes were made possible by the selfless service, commitment and support of others who provided guidance when he needed it.

Growing up with limited resources in a community adversely affected by an aggressive criminal justice system, Eric witnessed the positive impact of community support and the negative consequence of a broken family. At a young age, he decided to dedicate his life to community improvement, reinforcing families and reducing over-incarceration for nonviolent crimes. Serving in the Army taught him individual discipline and the power of a collective team. Transforming citizens into soldiers, enduring ranger school and nearly three years of combat operations in Iraq galvanized his core belief that dedicated professionals united in purpose enable sweeping reform.

He applied this mantra in his local community as well by serving on local government advisory boards, volunteering with the veterans’ treatment court, leading social support groups for at risk youth and providing transition counseling in the county correctional system strengthening his resolve to rebuild community and reduce the criminal justice system’s impact on families.

As a doctoral candidate at the University of Southern California’s School of Social Work, Eric is focused on strengthening public-private partnership interventions to reduce recidivism and restoring family integrity.