HAMMONTON— The Kenney brothers entered a military life to enrich their lives, educate their minds and empower their hearts.

Matthew Kenney, 22, entered the United States Navy in June 2007 for a six-year term.

His current rank is Third Class Petty Officer.

He spent the first two years in the Navy in school for nuclear engineering in Charlotte, South Carolina.

From there he transferred to New York to obtain hands-on training at a power plant.

“This is where they taught us how to run a power plant on land before you went to train on a boat,” he said.

He was then assigned to the U.S.S. Philadelphia, a fast attack submarine.

“I like the challenge of it. It is one of the most challenging jobs in the Navy. I was honored that they gave it to me since it is my understanding that they only give the opportunity to a select few,” he continued.

Prior to entering the Navy, Matthew spent two years at Atlantic Cape Community College doing well, but not finding a clear direction for his future.

“I needed to find a direction, and I believed the military would give that to me. My brother was doing well in the Air Force, and thought that the Navy would give me the opportunity to do that would not have normally done as civilian. I wanted to try something different and gain valuable experience,” he said.

Matthew feels that the experience has made him a more confident man.

Once he finishes his six-year commitment to the Navy in 2013, he plans to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for nuclear engineering.

Matthew acts in the capacity of nuclear technician by day, and by night he enjoys singing and playing music, specifically the guitar.

He said he believes that the Navy helped him find his way God, a major turning point in his life.

“During the time I have served, I have come to find Christ. I think about God’s role in my life everyday and aim to keep a positive attitude each day,” he said.

Matthew recently became engaged to Ann Nguyen, and the couple plans to marry in June 2010.

“I am so excited for my future with Ann. I can’t wait to start my life with her, marry and start a family,” he said.

Wayne Kenney, 24, enlisted in the United States Air Force right after he graduated from Hammonton High School in 2004.

His current rank is Senior Airman in the United States Air National Guard. He will be leaving shortly for his first tour in Iraq. His brother recently returned home from his first deployment.

“I didn’t know what I wanted to do after high school, and I felt that they could help me think about it more. I believed it was a very constructive way to spend four years. It prepared me,” he said.

He spent four years in active duty stationed at Eielson Air Force Base in Eielson, Alaska as an Environmental Journeyman working on the computer and electrical systems in jet airplanes.

Although not his first choice for his path in the Air Force, he is happy for the skills he has learned and now has a better appreciation and understanding of mechanics.

“I now have a broader scope of knowledge that I can use everyday,” he said.

In September 2009, he immediately came home and enlisted in the United States Air National Guard for a six-year term.

“It felt like a natural continuation of my military career. This way I could keep my job and go to school at the same time,” he said.

While in Alaska, Wayne completed his associate’s degree and is now working toward his bachelor’s degree through Rowan University in math education.

Wayne said he believes the Air Force has given him better people skills, leadership skills and general life skills.

“I think the immediate four years after high school are formable years in your life. The experiences you have make you who you are. Those years in the Air Force have given me confidence in myself to accomplish any task. It taught me life skills and that the biggest thing in life is to learn and to continue to learn. It has given me the confidence to ask when I don’t know and to seek out the answers when I can,” he said.

Wayne enjoys the piano and the arts.

Their mother, Patricia, a longtime Hammonton resident has been torn with both pride and fear with her sons’ decisions to enter the military.

“I am proud of them for choosing to do the scary thing; at the same time I realize they are putting their lives on the line. I am proud of my boys that they have decided to do this,” she said.

It has given them a great experience, a wonderful adventure and has allowed them to see the world, she continued.

“It is wonderful that my kids will have a college education when they finish and be able to take advantage of all the opportunities that are given to them without the burden of educational debt,” she said.

She said she hopes that the experience has given her sons an appreciation and understanding of the freedoms they have in this country and the benefits they have to be whatever they want to be in life.