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BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan - Twin brothers as children
normally do everything together; they share each other's dreams as
well as plan what they want to be when they grow up, then as adults
some slowly grow apart while others maintain their strong brotherly
bond.
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Capt. Matthew N. Mayor, brigade S-3 operations officer with Task
Force Lifeliner and Capt. Mark E. Mayor, brigade S-2 current
operations officer with 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry
Division “Black Jack Brigade”, both identical twin brothers hailing
from Kenosha, Wis., stand side by side during their deployment at
Bagram Air Field in Parwan province, Afghanistan, June 28, 2013.
Both of their units are working together on security and retrograde
missions while downrange. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Sinthia Rosario,
Task Force Lifeliner Public Affairs)
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Capt. Matthew N. Mayor, brigade logistics and operations
officer with 101st Sustainment Brigade, Task Force Lifeliner
and Capt. Mark E. Mayor, brigade intelligence and current
operations officer with 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry
Division “Black Jack Brigade”, identical twin brothers
hailing from Kenosha, Wis., have always been very close and
inseparable. They were always in the same sports; same
college and now both currently serve as captains in the U.S.
Army.
“It's like we decided to go ahead and do it
through our ROTC first. We wanted to get a college education
and then go ahead and serve. That was probably one of the
motivating factors, to do something together,” said Matthew.
“I couldn't be happier, couldn't be more content, and more
inspired to work with this great team that I'm part of, and
he's part of, so it's kind of like working for the same
organization which is the Army as a whole.”
As they
sat talking about the choices they have made, Mark
reminisced about the month they both went on active duty.
“I remember that very month, when both of us went on
active duty July 4th, 2009,” said Mark. “That weekend prior
we said our goodbyes to the families and we had a pre Fourth
of July celebration.”
Their military orders took them
to Fort Sill, Okla., for Basic Officer Leaders Course. They
were both stationed there together during that time;
although, the brothers knew they would eventually go to
their separate branch schools.
In the beginning, the
twin brothers were a bit hesitant in joining the service.
Thoughts of being separated caused a bit of anxiety. But,
they knew deep down inside they would be alright in the long
run.
“It was difficult, it was challenging, but I'm
sure every soldier goes through the same thing. Separation
anxiety, family, but eventually you cope, you learn to use
the shared media, Facebook, Skype, etc.,” said Matthew.
Mark promptly added to his brother's statement, “You
quickly adapt and just overcome any feelings of separation
and anxiety, so that passed after a few months.”
The
two commented on the choices they have made and both agree
that there are no regrets with the Army lifestyle they
chose.
Although the twins are identical with many things
in common, there are some differences that have set them
apart. They said in jest that Mark has always been the
talkative one, while Matthew is the quiet one, the listener.
Mark explained, “A lot of our idiosyncrasy, just the
way we are now, comes from our parents and what jobs they
had. Like for instance, our father is a psychologist, he's a
therapist, so the listening aspect he (Matthew) picked up
from him (father).”
He continued talking about his
brother by explaining how he cares about what people say and
that he has been like that since they were young children.
As they continued to think back on their upbringing
while they were sitting in Bagram, Afghanistan, together
they jokingly talked about each other's strengths and
weaknesses, but not in that competitive fashion that you'd
typically see between siblings.
As children, they
were both in the little league together. Mark was voted MVP
(most valuable player) as the pitcher and Matthew was the
home run hitter.
“We're mirror twins, I'm left
handed and he's right handed that's our major difference
between each other physically,” said Mark. “I've always been
a little better of a pitcher. His (Matthew's) strong suit is
soccer, he's always been better at soccer than I was.”
Whether they discuss their jobs in the military or the
days on the little league team there is no doubt they share
a unique understanding of each other.
The brothers
are not from a military family background, but they have a
supporting family. They stoically spoke of their mother in
how she worries, but they know their mother supports them
and is very proud of their military service.
“Our
family is very patriotic, very proud, and very supportive
and his wife (Mark's) is very involved as well as my mother,
father and our family in supporting the troops and sending
care packages,” said Matthew.
The brothers walked
into the military lifestyle not fully knowing what was ahead
of them. Mark stated that their views have changed entirely
since joining the Army. “After a couple of years you go back
to your hometown you don't feel the same, you're forever
changed by the training, by the new experiences, by the new
people you meet, the people that you work with,” Mark said.
He added with exuberance, “to be with my twin brother here
in Afghanistan, serving in the Army, serving the country
that I love, it can't get any better than that.”
By U.S. Army Sgt. Sinthia Rosario
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2013
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