thedrifter
05-07-09, 06:02 AM
Kuwait —If our enemies fear one Marine, they now have twice the reason to be afraid.
Staff Sgt. Robert I. Johnson and Sgt. Tracey R. Johnson are twin brothers dedicated to the Marine Corps, who were able to enjoy a brief reunion far from their small hometown of Albany, La.
Robert, currently deployed to Kuwait, met up with his brother Tracey, who was on his way back to the states from Iraq, at Camp Virginia, Kuwait April 23.
The meeting was brief, but they had the opportunity to grab some lunch, reminisce on old times and even make a surprise phone call to their father in Picayune, Miss.
Shortly after their greetings, the sibling rivalry began. In the blink of an eye, the twins were locked in their favorite childhood feat of strength, an old-fashioned arm-wrestling match.
The event was triggered from talking of their childhood.
"I always won the left handed matches and Tracey always won with the right," said Robert. "Now he can beat me with both," he said in reference to the fact that his brother is now more muscular. "But that's alright; I can still out run him," Robert added.
According to the twins, they are overly competitive, especially when it comes to sports.
"I remember boxing each other from the time we were 3 years old," Tracey said. "But, our competitive nature helped us excel in all types of sports."
The twins were always together growing up, but that bond was eventually interrupted by some life decisions.
The first separation came when Robert decided to join the Marine Corps. He enlisted as a Marine Corps Integrated Material Management System Clerk right after graduating high school in 2000.
Tracey, however, wasn't interested in the military at the time and decided to stay in his hometown. He accepted a few factory jobs and eventually excelled as a diesel engine mechanic. But a visit home from Robert and some persuasion from the local recruiter lead Tracey to enlist as a motor transport mechanic in 2002.
Shortly after Tracey enlisted, Robert changed his military occupational specialty to landing support specialist. Robert's choice to change his MOS allowed the pair to serve together for two years with 2nd Marine Logistics Group in Cherry Point, N.C.
While there they reformed old habits by participating in a variety of unit team sports and attended the resident sergeant's course together.
The military tempo eventually caught up and forced them apart once again.
The Johnsons are now on separate paths in the Corps, but their gung-ho approach to each other has spilled over into an equal climb towards top-notch careers as Marines.
Robert has submitted a warrant officer package and will be alerted of his acceptance this November.
"Staff Sgt. Johnson has great work ethics," said Gunnery Sgt. Julie A. Evans, strategic mobility office chief, Movement Control Center-Kuwait. "He will make an outstanding warrant officer," added the Havloc, N.C. native.
Tracey will be heading to Parris Island , S.C., this July to attend Drill Instructor School.
"Sergeant Johnson has more than enough motivation to share with the whole platoon," said Cpl. Jordan D. Durham, squad leader, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment. "He will make a great drill instructor," added the Duncanville, Texas native.
Currently, Robert is doing a year-long deployment in Kuwait as an air mobility chief for MCC-K. He validates, coordinates and tracks all air transportation for deployment and redeployment of Marines and cargo for Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.
"Staff Sgt. Johnson is very knowledgeable and has taught me more about this MOS than any of my former leaders," said Sgt. Joshua I. Kahele, Marine Air Ground Task Force, plans chief, MCC-K.
Tracey is coming off a seven-month deployment from Iraq with Military Police Company, 1/12.
He is a motor transport mechanic who brings meaning to the term "every Marine is a rifleman." His unit patrolled the Iraq-Syria border and was instrumental in detaining several high value targets.
"(Sgt. Tracey) is an extraordinary squad leader," said Gunnery Sgt. Dan Ryley, second platoon sergeant, Military Police Company, 1/12. "He is very capable of handling the highest level of responsibilities," added the Orlando native.
The twins grew up doing everything together, and although they have made separate decisions, they find themselves on a fraternal path to success.
"As brothers, it was important for us to take this opportunity to meet (in Kuwait)," said Robert. "Family means everything to us."
"Family is where it's at," concluded Tracey.
Staff Sgt. Robert I. Johnson and Sgt. Tracey R. Johnson are twin brothers dedicated to the Marine Corps, who were able to enjoy a brief reunion far from their small hometown of Albany, La.
Robert, currently deployed to Kuwait, met up with his brother Tracey, who was on his way back to the states from Iraq, at Camp Virginia, Kuwait April 23.
The meeting was brief, but they had the opportunity to grab some lunch, reminisce on old times and even make a surprise phone call to their father in Picayune, Miss.
Shortly after their greetings, the sibling rivalry began. In the blink of an eye, the twins were locked in their favorite childhood feat of strength, an old-fashioned arm-wrestling match.
The event was triggered from talking of their childhood.
"I always won the left handed matches and Tracey always won with the right," said Robert. "Now he can beat me with both," he said in reference to the fact that his brother is now more muscular. "But that's alright; I can still out run him," Robert added.
According to the twins, they are overly competitive, especially when it comes to sports.
"I remember boxing each other from the time we were 3 years old," Tracey said. "But, our competitive nature helped us excel in all types of sports."
The twins were always together growing up, but that bond was eventually interrupted by some life decisions.
The first separation came when Robert decided to join the Marine Corps. He enlisted as a Marine Corps Integrated Material Management System Clerk right after graduating high school in 2000.
Tracey, however, wasn't interested in the military at the time and decided to stay in his hometown. He accepted a few factory jobs and eventually excelled as a diesel engine mechanic. But a visit home from Robert and some persuasion from the local recruiter lead Tracey to enlist as a motor transport mechanic in 2002.
Shortly after Tracey enlisted, Robert changed his military occupational specialty to landing support specialist. Robert's choice to change his MOS allowed the pair to serve together for two years with 2nd Marine Logistics Group in Cherry Point, N.C.
While there they reformed old habits by participating in a variety of unit team sports and attended the resident sergeant's course together.
The military tempo eventually caught up and forced them apart once again.
The Johnsons are now on separate paths in the Corps, but their gung-ho approach to each other has spilled over into an equal climb towards top-notch careers as Marines.
Robert has submitted a warrant officer package and will be alerted of his acceptance this November.
"Staff Sgt. Johnson has great work ethics," said Gunnery Sgt. Julie A. Evans, strategic mobility office chief, Movement Control Center-Kuwait. "He will make an outstanding warrant officer," added the Havloc, N.C. native.
Tracey will be heading to Parris Island , S.C., this July to attend Drill Instructor School.
"Sergeant Johnson has more than enough motivation to share with the whole platoon," said Cpl. Jordan D. Durham, squad leader, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment. "He will make a great drill instructor," added the Duncanville, Texas native.
Currently, Robert is doing a year-long deployment in Kuwait as an air mobility chief for MCC-K. He validates, coordinates and tracks all air transportation for deployment and redeployment of Marines and cargo for Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.
"Staff Sgt. Johnson is very knowledgeable and has taught me more about this MOS than any of my former leaders," said Sgt. Joshua I. Kahele, Marine Air Ground Task Force, plans chief, MCC-K.
Tracey is coming off a seven-month deployment from Iraq with Military Police Company, 1/12.
He is a motor transport mechanic who brings meaning to the term "every Marine is a rifleman." His unit patrolled the Iraq-Syria border and was instrumental in detaining several high value targets.
"(Sgt. Tracey) is an extraordinary squad leader," said Gunnery Sgt. Dan Ryley, second platoon sergeant, Military Police Company, 1/12. "He is very capable of handling the highest level of responsibilities," added the Orlando native.
The twins grew up doing everything together, and although they have made separate decisions, they find themselves on a fraternal path to success.
"As brothers, it was important for us to take this opportunity to meet (in Kuwait)," said Robert. "Family means everything to us."
"Family is where it's at," concluded Tracey.