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Zade Becker and his younger brother, Austin, grew up on a small
farm at the basin of the Big Horn Mountains in Wyoming. Living in
the country meant not having any neighbors around, so the brothers
spent a lot of their time together playing on the farm.
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December 14, 2016 - Senior Airman Zade Becker, left, a marine
patrolman with the 6th Security Forces Squadron (SFS), and his
brother Senior Airman Austin Becker, right, an emergency services
team operator with the 6th SFS, pose for a photo at MacDill Air
Force Base Florida. The Becker brothers are currently stationed
together at MacDill and defend the base as security forces members. (U.S.
Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Mariette Adams)
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“We had the typical brotherly relationship,” explained
Air Force Senior Airman Austin Becker. “We fought and beat
each other up, like young boys do, but we still watched out
for each other no matter what. My brother had a big role in
my life growing up, because our parents spent a lot of time
working to provide for us.”
Entering their teenage
years, they had their own interests and friends. Following
high school graduation, they both took their own paths.
Air Force Enlistment
At the age of 20, Zade chose to enlist in the Air Force,
something both brothers had contemplated for a while.
After eight-and-a-half weeks of basic military training,
Zade graduated. Only an observer on that day, Austin says
watching Zade lit a fire in him.
“I remember watching
my brother march across the parade field; I was so proud of
him,” Austin said. “Seeing him graduate from BMT renewed my
own motivation to join the military.”
A few months
later, Austin found himself in his brother’s shoes marching
across that same parade field while Zade settled into his
first duty station at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida,
located near Tampa.
After basic training, Austin
headed off to security forces technical training, just like
his brother did a few months before.
Following in
Brother’s Footsteps
“Although Austin joined
after me, in a way, I followed in his footsteps,” Air Force
Senior Airman Zade Becker explained. “He wanted to join right out
of high school.
Austin completed technical training
and received his first duty assignment. Just one year after
Zade arrived at MacDill, Austin joined him.
“I was
very excited to find out he was coming to MacDill,” Zade
said. “For me, it was a chance to take my baby brother under
my wing and teach him everything I could.”
Throughout
their time at MacDill, the brothers have served in various
positions within the 6th Security Forces Squadron.
Working Together
At one point, both brothers even worked the same shift
as marine patrolmen. The roles were now reversed, because
Austin was the seasoned veteran and
Zade was the new guy on the team.
“I was able to
spend a lot of time teaching him tips and tricks on the boat
as well as everything I knew about marine patrol,” Austin
said. “It’s kind of crazy how the roles had reversed and I
was teaching my older brother.”
Throughout their time
serving together, their brotherly bond has strengthened.
“Even though we are away from family, we still have one
another,” Austin said. “He’s the person I can relax and play
video games with or have a serious conversation with. He
knows what it’s like to live the military lifestyle.”
Before, they were brothers; now, they share another
title -- wingmen.
“My brother is, hands-down, my best
friend,” Zade said. “We have our differences, but I know I
can always count on him.”
By U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Mariette Adams
DOD News / Defense Media Activity
Copyright 2017
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