A young Malayali woman in US Army fatigues is not a sight that one may often come across in Instagram feeds. Yet, scroll long enough, and you may find yourself pausing at a video of 24-year-old Mereena Alex. She is a radiology technologist stationed in South Korea. In the reels, she is seen starting her day with a crisp salute and speaking to the camera in Malayalam.

Her posts are simple. These are mostly short clips of drills, mealtimes, or quiet moments in the barracks. What sets these apart is her decision to narrate entirely in Malayalam. For thousands back home, hearing their language voiced from a distant military camp is both intimate and disarming. “I never thought speaking in Malayalam would make my videos go viral,” she says. 

Mereena’s journey has been neither predictable nor easy. She was born in Kollam and grew up watching her parents, Alex Samuel and Bindu Alex, make sacrifices for their two daughters. Her father’s years as a migrant worker in Dubai left a lasting impression. “He always told us of the importance of working hard in your twenties. Otherwise, you will struggle all your life,” she recalls. That counsel has remained her lens. 

In 2017, the family migrated to Texas. For a teenager, this was a plunge into another world. She had to get used to new classrooms, an unfamiliar culture, and the difficulty of starting over. Becoming a soldier was never part of her plan. “I was not the military type. However, I wanted to challenge myself and do something meaningful. I had no idea how hard it would be,” she says. 

The training was punishing. Pre-dawn marches with heavy packs, bone-chilling nights, and endless drills tested both body and spirit. A stress fracture slowed her down, and then Covid struck just before graduation. “Those last four days were brutal. I could barely breathe, but I refused to quit. I told myself there was no going back,” she says. The memory of standing on the parade ground with the patch on her shoulder remains indelible for her. “That was when I understood perseverance,” she adds.

Today, Mereena works in radiology with the US Army in South Korea. On Instagram, her followers get to see metal trays in a mess hall, uniforms neatly folded, and an occasional smile after a long shift. Her videos have connected her to Malayalis across the armed forces. “It is rare to see Malayali women in the US Army. But messages from others in uniform remind me that we are not alone,” she says. 

Her family, settled in Texas, remains her anchor. Between shifts and studies, she finds time for hurried calls. “My parents never imagined I would end up in the army. Now, when they see me in it, their pride keeps me going,” she says. 

Beyond the barracks, she dreams of specialising in MRI technology. She also explores business opportunities and yearns to travel more. Marriage may come later, she says with a smile. For now, the focus is on growth, balance, and telling her story in a voice that bridges continents.