TAJI, Iraq - One Pennsylvania National Guard Soldier has two ways he can address Capt. Dorothy Watkins. He can call her ma'am or he can call her mom.
Spc. Joshua Watkins and his mother, Capt. Watkins, are both deployed to Camp Taji, Iraq, a base camp north of Baghdad, with the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division. The mother and son from Hazleton, Pa., are able to enjoy lunch together most days, and celebrate family holidays such as Mother's Day.
Capt. Watkins was already in Iraq, deployed with another unit of the Pennsylvania National Guard when her son received orders to deploy to Iraq with the Philadelphia-based 56th SBCT.
Capt. Watkins, an officer in the adjutant general corps, scrambled to find a slot so she could deploy with her son. She was home from Iraq only nine days before she mobilized with the 56th SBCT.
"We were fortunate enough that Col. Marc Ferraro [56th SBCT commander] and the chain of command gave us the opportunity to serve together," said Capt. Watkins, who is now assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 56th SBCT. "Not many people get to say they served with their mom or son."
Spc. Watkins, a cavalry scout assigned to A Troop, 2nd Battalion, 104th Cavalry Regiment, 56th SBCT, said he is glad to be deployed with his mother.
"I think it's cool," said Spc. Watkins. "It's nice having family here, especially for my first deployment."
On duty, Spc. Watkins salutes his mother and calls her "ma'am." But off duty, mother and son often spend time together, taking advantage of the circumstances that have allowed them to be deployed together.
"Usually at night, when she gets off work, there's a group she hangs out with," Spc. Watkins said. "They all know me and we sit around and exchange stories and I get to meet a lot of great people."
Spc. Watkins marked the Mother's Day holiday in a way that can only be appreciated by deployed Soldiers, according to Capt. Watkins.
"We had lunch together in the dining facility and for the evening meal, he brought me a Taco Bell dinner, a card and a pair of Oakley sunglasses," Capt. Watkins said.
The sense of family is twofold for the Watkins. Back home, they have James Watkins, Capt. Watkins' husband and Spc. Watkins' father. But in Iraq, they also have the Pennsylvania National Guard family.
"This is our family away from family," Capt. Watkins said. "The 56th SBCT is making history and we are honored to serve."
When mother and son return home, their civilian careers will still parallel their military careers. Capt. Watkins is a parole officer and Spc. Watkins, who attends Luzerne Community College in Hazleton, aspires to be a Pennsylvania State Trooper. Whether they are at home, or defending America abroad, they have a bond that goes beyond blood.
"We get to wear the same combat patch together and that is special," Capt. Watkins said. "It's been a great learning experience for both of us and if anything, it has brought us closer together."
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