Hobbs team lifts Raptors since birth

By Staff Sgt. B. Wesley LewisMay 28, 2014

Hobbs team lifts Raptors since birth
Master Sgt. Tamesha Hobbs, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade logistics noncommissioned officer in charge, pins the rank of first sergeant on her husband, Luther Hobbs July 2, 2012 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Luther Hobbs became first sergeant of Headquar... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

"When we first met, we couldn't stand each other," said Tamesha Hobbs, who is currently a master sergeant and the noncommissioned officer in charge of the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade's logistics section. "But then it became a love-hate type of relationship."

Despite first impressions, the unit supply NCO, Tamesha, and automated logistical NCO, Luther, joined forces through marriage.

The new dual-military couple spent the next 10 years playing leap frog up the promotion scale to master sergeant, with Luther Hobbs promoted in 2011 and Tamesha Hobbs promoted the following year.

"We are both very competitive people and actually used our competitive nature to push one another," Tamesha Hobbs said.

They spent their next three assignments supporting the same units; 41st Fires Brigade in Fort Hood, Texas, the logistics NCO academy in Fort Lee, Va. and the 801st Brigade Support Battalion in Fort Cambell, Ky.

In December 2011, the senior logisticians became major role players in aviation history by taking on key positions with the 16th CAB, the newly activated aviation brigade based out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. Luther Hobbs became the 46th Aviation Support Battalion operations NCOIC and Tamesha was assigned as the brigade logistics section NCOIC.

The work ethic and strive for excellence of the Hobbs duo directly impacted Raptor Brigade's ability to stand up, modernize its airframes and equipment, support the Soldiers and deploy to two different countries.

"I believe in supporting the forward [troops]," Luther Hobbs said. "It doesn't matter who I support because they always get the best that I have. My job is to make my customer's job easier and safer so they can provide for their customer."

"It's another accomplishment in my career," Tamesha added. "To help build the brigade, deploy the brigade and it be the brigade to help close down Afghanistan, the Hobbs name has put its mark on the unit."

Luther Hobbs' success lifted him to his next rank as he became the first sergeant of Headquarters Support Company, 46th ASB; however, Tamesha Hobbs took the honor of placing the rank upon his chest at his promotion ceremony.

"Being the first sergeant of the 'Spearhead Nation' has been my greatest accomplishment in 16th CAB because I got to help develop some of the NCOs to become the next group of platoon sergeants and first sergeants in the Army," Luther Hobbs said.

Luther and Tamesha set their blueprint for success of being a dual-military couple that works in the same unit.

"The strongest thing about me and my husband is that we try to show people we are true professionals. When we put this on [grabbing her uniform], this is our professional appearance and this is what we stand for," Tamesha Hobbs said.

"It is like having a battle buddy right next to you," Luther Hobbs added. "You have to be your partner's sounding board to help each other make it through the next day."

Unlike the large majority of dual-working couples in the U.S. who only see each other after the work day, Tamesha and Luther's days completely coincide.

"Every now and again you might hear a 'hey baby' but 98 percent of the time it is strictly a professional relationship. It's to show others that not every dual-military couple will have a conflict with working together and then going home together," Tamesha Hobbs said.

"You have to be a team to make a dual military house work," Luther Hobbs added. "We don't have someone at the house getting things ready for us. We get off one job and get on another one."

With the Hobbs team nearing the end of their third year with 16th CAB, they prepare to move on to their next assignment but not without knowing they raised the Raptor brigade and each other at the same time.