Basic Combat Training brothers-in-arms . . . and blood

By U.S. ArmyDecember 4, 2014

Basic Combat Training brothers-in-arms . . . and blood
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Basic Combat Training brothers-in-arms . . . and blood
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For two Fort Leonard Wood Soldiers in training, the word brother has a stronger bond than the Army brotherhood.

Pvt. Austin Ketcherside, 21, and his brother, Pvt. Jordan Ketcherside, 20, are currently learning to be Soldiers in Company D, 3rd Battalion, 10th Infantry Regiment.

"We have done everything together our whole lives," Jordan said.

When the brothers enlisted together at the Paragould, Arkansas, recruiting station, they said they expected to go their separate ways for the first time in two decades. Fate wasn't quite ready to split them up.

"Our recruiter offered to give us the same jobs, but we decided to pick our own. After we chose our military occupational specialties, he was surprised that we picked similar jobs, because we ended up with the same Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training. It was a complete accident," Jordan said. "We were originally in the same platoon, but our drill sergeants took care of that right away."

Not only are the brothers in basic training together, but after graduation they both head to Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

In Oklahoma, the brothers will focus on their individual MOSs, which are both in the Army MOS Series of 13-Field Artillery. Austin will train to be a multiple launch rocket system operator and fire direction specialist, while Jordan will be training to be a cannon crewmember.

Of the 203 Soldiers in Company D, 3rd Bn., 10th Inf. Reg., 1st Sgt. Robert Bragg was surprised to learn that two of them were related. Bragg said this was a first for him.

"It is very uncommon that two brothers go through BCT together and be in the same unit," Bragg said. "Although they are bonded as Family, they are also individualist in their thinking."

Austin said the other Soldiers-in-training and even the drill sergeants are having fun with the situation.

"Our battle buddies try to make it competitive between us. It's fun. We've been competitive our whole lives," Austin said. "My drill sergeant actually calls me 'Brother,'" Austin said.

Jordan agreed.

"The other Soldiers love that we are brothers. They like to cheer for one or the other," Jordan said.

Bragg said he witnessed the competitive spirit of the Ketcherside brothers during rifle marksmanship training.

"One of them had a hard time mastering his weapon, and he was being teased by the other brother, who shot down his targets with ease. Just some brotherly love," Bragg said.

Austin said friendly competition is nothing new to the two, because their birthdays are only a year and two-days apart.

"We have always had a pretty close relationship. We are best friends. But, this experience has definitely strengthened our relationship," Austin said.

Bragg said being blood relatives hasn't affected the Ketchersides' BCT experience.

"I think they are doing a very good job in channeling their focus on the BCT tasks. They are good privates who don't give their drill sergeants or battle buddies any issues. They seem to be well liked across the company. They are quiet, and they go about their duties with dignity and respect," Bragg said. "They support each other and sometimes you see them talking during breaks in training, but not as often as you would think. I believe they are just focused young men looking to grow and make a promising career."

A promising career -- that is all younger brother, Jordan, said he was looking for when he asked his big brother to drive him to the recruiting station after completing work at the factory where they were both employed.

"A lot of people that are from Paragould, stay in Paragould. I wanted to get out and explore the world," Jordan said.

Jordan said he was glad when Austin decided to join him on his Army adventure, and he was thankful, especially this time of year, he would have his brother by his side.

"I am very grateful that I got to spend Thanksgiving with him. I know that was an opportunity that most Soldiers in training don't get," Jordan said.

The Ketcherside brothers will graduate later this month and travel to Fort Sill together. From there, the brothers said they are looking forward to what the future holds -- even if they aren't side-by-side.