CAMP DWYER, Afghanistan
(Nov. 20, 2011) - Cpl. Axel Benitez (left), a radio operator with Combat Logistics
Battalion 1, poses for a picture with his brother Cpl. Luis Benitez,
a data network specialist with 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment. This is the first time the brothers have seen each
other in more than 2 years and the first time as Marines.
Photo by USMC Cpl. Colby Brown
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CAMP DWYER, Afghanistan (11/21/2011) — When Cpl. Axel Benitez
joined the Marine Corps more than three years ago, he never thought
his younger brother would follow in his footsteps.
It's been
more than two years since they last met. Benitez arrived to
Afghanistan with Combat Logistics Battalion 1 as a radio operator,
in early October, only to find that his brother was in the same
country. Much has changed since they last spoke; his brother now
wears the eagle, globe and anchor and corporal chevrons as well.
“I never thought he was going to join the Marine Corps,” said
Axel, 21, and a native of Worchester, Mass. “So being able to see
him here, in cammies is a great opportunity. When we were little, we
were close ... always together. And after not seeing him for while, it
was emotional — hard not to cry.”
Only hours before staging
for his flight home, Cpl. Luis Benitez shared lunch with his
brother. Luis is a data network specialist with 1st Battalion, 3rd
Marine Regiment, and has spent the last seven months serving in
Garmsir district. This was the first time the brothers had spent
together as Marines.
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“It's been a long time since I have been with any family
at all,” said Luis, 20, also a native of Worchester, Mass.
“And after seven months being here, with a group of guys
that I don't know that well, it's good to see him. It's good
to see family.”
“It's almost like a reward being able
to see him,” Luis added. “I've been stressed for the past
seven months and then right before I leave I get to see my
brother. And for him, its just motivation seeing me. He
still has a deployment left.”
Axel describes their
relationship as close when they were younger, as the
brothers were rarely being seen apart. They fought and
argued as many siblings do, but always had each other's
backs.
Though their time together has been minimal since
both brothers became Marines, their bond has only been
strengthened by the brotherhood of the Corps.
“I
haven't seen him in a while,” said Axel. “So knowing that I
got to see him while he was out here is comforting. And the
fact the he just finished a deployment and I am about to go
through my second means both of us will have someone to talk
to when we get home.”
Their similarities are apparent
at first glance. Both have full lips, bushy eyebrows and
wear identical uniforms. Although meeting up in Afghanistan
isn't the most ideal reunion, both wore full-toothed grins.
“The Corps can change a person, make them into a
Marine, but it can't change the relationships they have,”
said Axel.
Most service members with relatives or
immediate family also in the military, relationships are
usually maintained via the internet or over the phone.
Constant deployments and equally hectic schedules make it
nearly impossible to set a compatible rendezvous date. When
the chance arises to spend face time with one another, the
opportunity is rarely missed.
For Axel, this meant
asking his supervisor for a longer lunch period. For Luis,
it meant soaking up the minutes with his brother before he
began his journey back home.
“If you are in the
military and have a relative who is also in, it's hard to
find time to spend with them,” said Axel. “So being able
just to spend a couple hours with them is a great
opportunity.”
By USMC Cpl. Colby Brown
Regimental Combat Team-5, 1st Marine
Division
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2011
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