The story is much more complicated than what I wrote.
I left the children with him because he is a good father, just an absolutely terrible husband. The last physical incident happened in 2012, there were military police and family advocacy involved. Most of the abuse was verbal, emotional. I tried leaving several times in the past, but I have been kept isolated from family and friends, had no access to our finances, so leaving was very hard. I was presented with an opportunity to leave in way that would not require me disappearing into a women's shelter. This has been one of the hardest things I have ever done. I did what I thought was right. I left my children in their home, in their schools, with a father that does love them very much. I was not prepared for him punish me so much. He and I are toxic and cannot be in the same room, or even on the phone, without one or both of us yelling and cursing. In hindsight, I know some things should have been done differently, but I can't change that now.
We have our first court hearing concerning child support and custody in a few weeks. He has told me that he intends on asking for supervised visitation for me on the grounds that I make irrational decisions (this is because I pulled them out of daycare to spend the day with me one time shortly after we split). I am a good mother. I love my kids, I try to make decisions that will better their lives. I was the primary caregiver in the home (I did everything, cooked, cleaned, involved in their schools, doctor visits, caring for them) and I am scared that this hearing will be a lot of he said vs she said.
I am in college full-time, seeking whatever job I can find now, and am trying like hell to save up some money.

