Twin brothers reflect on time in Old Guard

By Guv Callahan, Pentagram Staff WriterApril 17, 2015

Twin brothers reflect on time in The Old Guard
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

When twin brothers Jason and Justin Gensler decided to join the Army in 2012, they had no idea they would eventually wind up working on the same casket team as part of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, or JBM-HH.

The brothers, both 23-year-old sergeants hailing from outside Dallas, Texas, enlisted separately and found out after the fact that they would not only share the same duty station, but would be serving on the same team in The Old Guard's D Company.

"A lot of people assume that we joined in a buddy system or something, but we didn't," Jason told the Pentagram during an interview. "We just ended up [here] ... We've been working together every day for three years."

The Genslers say they enlisted because they wanted to grow and see more of the world beyond small-town Texas.

"I wanted to be better than I was," said Justin, the elder by four minutes.

Both agree that performing ceremonial duties and honoring fallen Soldiers and Service members with The Old Guard has been a valuable and unparalleled experience.

"It's been a great opportunity for both of us," Jason said. "We're working together on the same casket team, and we're pretty much both the leads of the casket team. We're both right in the front and we both make sure the flag comes out perfectly."

And, aside from people mixing the two up on an almost daily basis, the brothers said that working alongside each other has made their jobs easier.

"Growing up with someone and doing the exact same thing your entire life, you think the same way about things," Jason said. "It's not even necessarily that you're twins, it's just you've experienced all the same things so you react to things the same way. It makes our jobs a lot easier because we both know what the other one is expecting. Plus, our family was pretty psyched to find out that we were both getting this station."

Beyond their duties honoring fallen service members, the Genslers said The Old Guard has instilled in them values and principles that will serve them well for the rest of their lives.

"It's definitely put me on the right path as a man," Justin said. "It shows you how important discipline really is, because discipline in life is one of the biggest things you can have. Discipline will lead to a good work ethic - if you have discipline, you're going to work hard."

Jason said he believes The Old Guard is the best first duty station a Soldier can have.

"We've really gotten a lot of chances to prove ourselves," he said. "Our company has always looked out for both of us. The Old Guard is very good about taking care of Soldiers."

Both brothers will be leaving JBM-HH in the next month to continue their careers.

Jason departed this week to move back to Texas (a prospect he said he and his wife are very excited about) where he will join the Texas National Guard and attend college.

"Staying in the National Guard keeps me attached to the military," he said. "I've worked really hard at this and it's not something I'm ready to give up."

Justin will go on leave May 10 before reporting to a new infantry unit on Fort Bragg in North Carolina.

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