Marine Siblings Attack USMC Careers, Afghanistan Together
(June 16, 2010) |
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Close since childhood, Lance
Cpls. Jovanny Cosme (left) and Yahaira Cosme
took on the challenge of becoming United States
Marines together and pose for a photograph after
completing Marine Combat Training at Camp
Geiger, N.C. in 2009. The siblings have
completed almost all of their Marine Corps
training together, both are based out of Marine
Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., and are currently
in the midst of a deployment to Afghanistan. |
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CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan - Just a few short months ago,
Lance Cpl. Yahaira Cosme, a supply warehouseman with Combat
Logistics Battalion 6, 1st Marine Logistics Group, was
making final preparations for her first deployment: a combat
tour to Afghanistan.
Just down the road her younger brother Lance Cpl. Jovanny
Cosme, an intelligence specialist with the 3rd Battalion,
6th Marine Regiment, was busy doing the same thing.
Though they are currently based out of Marine Corps Base
Camp Lejeune, N.C., the pair, the youngest of four children,
began their journey to Helmand Province long before the
thought of earning their Eagle, Globe and Anchors even
crossed their minds. As siblings growing up in their
hometown of Lynn, Mass., they were inseparable and their
Marine Corps careers are proving to only strengthen this
bond.
“Whether it was sitting back and watching television
together or going out with friends on the weekends, growing
up, we did everything together,” said 21-year-old Jovanny.
This trend continued as they grew into young adults. Prior
to enlisting, Yahaira spent time working her way through
college with sights set on a criminal justice degree, like
her brother who was also pursuing the same career path. The
two also dabbled in boxing, but busy schedules and hobbies
aside, something was still missing. |
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At this point, enlisting in the Marines Corps became a
serious consideration - for both of them, of course.
“As a female, I wanted to prove I could make it in the
toughest branch of service – the Marine Corps,” said Yahaira.
“I wanted to earn the respect that comes with being a
Marine, so I went for it.”
According to his sister, Jovanny was a bit reluctant to
enlist at first, but eventually made his decision and swore
in to the Corps shortly after her.
“My sister and I had always talked about it; we spent almost
a year contemplating our decision,” said Jovanny. “My
biggest issue was leaving our mom alone, but when we
actually talked to her about it she said she would support
us one hundred percent. We thought if we joined together,
not only would [it] be something unheard of by most people,
but [we would] have the motivating thought of going through
the same experience together at [recruit training].”
“Knowing she was on the island, going through the same
[thing] I was would be a good way to keep me going,” he
added.
The pair reported to recruit training on December 8, 2008,
an experience Jovanny said he will never forget.
Their drill instructors had a little fun with both of them
by arranging a few short meetings throughout the training
cycle while earning the title of Unites States Marine. The
two agree that it was all the more amazing because they were
able to graduate together.
“It was nice to know he was going through the same thing I
was,” said 22-year-old Yahaira. “It made things a lot easier
to keep pushing through – I didn't want to get dropped;
graduating with him was all the encouragement I needed.”
“It was probably one of the best feelings I've felt, knowing
we had accomplished our goal together,” said Jovanny.
Following recruit training the siblings moved on to Marine
Combat Training together, then parted ways. After a brief
period of time away from one another during their respective
Military Occupational Specialty schools, they reunited at
their first permanent duty station.
Unknown to Yahaira, her brother received orders to MCB Camp
Lejeune as well, and broke the news to her with a surprising
phone call.
“He needed a ride to base,” said Yahaira with a laugh. “He
had gotten orders to Lejeune and decided he was going to
surprise me when he got to the area. It was definitely nice
having him around. It always makes things easier knowing you
have family around, having someone to talk to.”
“I was hoping I would have the chance to be stationed at
Lejeune,” said Jovanny. “She had gotten there almost three
months before I did and around week nine of twelve during
MOS school I received my orders there. It seemed like we
couldn't get away from each other, which is how I hoped it
would be.”
As the next couple of months passed, the two settled into
their respective units and around the same time, they both
received the news that they would be deploying to
Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Jovanny would touch down in country January 5, and his
sister just a few weeks later on January 26.
Yahaira settled in aboard Camp Leatherneck, and Jovanny
headed to Marjah where at the time, Marine forces were
gearing up for their initial assault.
Though Yahaira had her worries about her younger brother
deploying to such an unstable area, Jovanny couldn't think
of a better way to spend his time in country, knowing his
sister was here too.
“I still can't believe we are both deployed here together,”
said Jovanny. “The way we keep ending up at the same place
is beyond me, but I can only hope it stays this way
throughout our careers.”
Following their deployments and a little more rank on their
collars, the two have a plan in place to continue their
careers together. As it stands now, the two have their
sights set on drill instructor duty together aboard MCRD
Parris Island and beyond that, only time will tell.
“We have this vision of taking over Parris Island,” said
Jovanny. “Our plan is to enter Drill Instructor School at
the same time and become part of the Marine Corps' finest.” |
Article and photo by USMC Sgt. Justin Shemanski
1st Marine Logistics Group Public Affairs
Copyright 2010 | |
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