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Army Reserve Brothers Continue Their Family Legacy in Europe

By Staff Sgt. Tristan PeeteOctober 22, 2024

U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. Patrick Dellinger (left), a human resources specialist poses next to his brother, Spc. Felix Dellinger (right), a combat medic specialist, both assigned to the 97th Chemical Battalion, 163rd Regional Support Group at the...
U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. Patrick Dellinger (left), a human resources specialist poses next to his brother, Spc. Felix Dellinger (right), a combat medic specialist, both assigned to the 97th Chemical Battalion, 163rd Regional Support Group at the U.S. Army Europe and Africa podium during their combined promotion and reenlistment ceremony on Clay Kaserne, Wiesbaden, Germany, Oct. 19, 2024. Patrick previously served in the 11th Airborne Division, while his brother Felix served in the 82nd Airborne Division, prior to joining the Army Reserve.

The 7th Mission Support Command is the U.S. Army Reserve presence in Europe. Comprised of 26 units across Germany and Italy, the 7th MSC provides logistical and sustainment resources in support of U.S. Army Europe-Africa missions across the theater. For more stories and information on the America's Army Reserve in Europe, connect on Facebook @7thmsc. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Peete.) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Tristan Peete)
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Army Reserve Brothers continue their family legacy in Europe
U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. Patrick Dellinger (left), a human resources specialist assigned to the 97th Chemical Battalion, 163rd Regional Support Group, 7th Mission Support Command, poses with his brother, Spc. Felix Dellinger (right), a combat medic specialist in the 97th CM BN, during their joint reenlistment and promotion ceremony on Clay Kaserne, Wiesbaden, Germany, Oct. 19, 2024. Patrick and Felix are native to Germany, and upon completion of their active-duty service, they transitioned to the Army Reserve in Europe to be close to home and serve together.

The 7th Mission Support Command is the U.S. Army Reserve presence in Europe. Comprised of 26 units across Germany and Italy, the 7th MSC provides logistical and sustainment resources in support of U.S. Army Europe-Africa missions across the theater. For more stories and information on the America's Army Reserve in Europe, connect on Facebook @7thmsc. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Peete.) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Tristan Peete)
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Army Reserve Brothers continue their family legacy in Europe
U.S. Army Reserve Spc. Felix Dellinger (left), a combat medic specialist in the 97th Chemical Battalion, 163rd Regional Support Group, places headgear with the rank of sergeant on his brother, newly promoted U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. Patrick Dellinger (right), a human resources specialist in the same unit, on Clay Kaserne, Wiesbaden, Germany, Oct. 19, 2024. Felix and Patrick are brothers native to Stuttgart, Germany. The pair transitioned out of active duty and into the Army Reserve in Europe to be closer to home.

The 7th Mission Support Command is the U.S. Army Reserve presence in Europe. Comprised of 26 units across Germany and Italy, the 7th MSC provides logistical and sustainment resources in support of U.S. Army Europe-Africa missions across the theater. For more stories and information on the America's Army Reserve in Europe, connect on Facebook @7thmsc. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Peete.) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Tristan Peete)
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Army Reserve Brothers continue their family legacy in Europe
U.S. Army Reserve Spc. Felix Dellinger (left), a combat medic specialist in the 97th Chemical Battalion, 163rd Regional Support Group, pins the rank of sergeant on his brother, newly promoted U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. Patrick Dellinger (right), a human resources specialist in the 97th, during Patrick’s promotion ceremony on Clay Kaserne, Wiesbaden, Germany, Oct. 19, 2024.

The 7th Mission Support Command is the U.S. Army Reserve presence in Europe. Comprised of 26 units across Germany and Italy, the 7th MSC provides logistical and sustainment resources in support of U.S. Army Europe-Africa missions across the theater. For more stories and information on the America's Army Reserve in Europe, connect on Facebook @7thmsc. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Peete.) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Tristan Peete)
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Army Reserve Brothers continue their family legacy in Europe
U.S. Army Reserve Spc. Felix Dellinger (right), a combat medic specialist with the 97th Chemical Battalion, 163rd Regional Support Group takes his oath of enlistment from his commander, U.S. Army Reserve Lt. Col. Joseph Garcia (left) during a reenlistment ceremony Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, at Clak Kaserne, Wiesbaden, Germany. Dellinger shared his reenlistment ceremony with his brother, U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. Patrick Dellinger, a human resources specialist also in the 97th. The brothers are natives of Stuttgart, Germany and recently transitioned from active duty to the U.S. Army Reserve to continue their service closer to home.

The 7th Mission Support Command is the U.S. Army Reserve presence in Europe. Comprised of 26 units across Germany and Italy, the 7th MSC provides logistical and sustainment resources in support of U.S. Army Europe-Africa missions across the theater. For more stories and information on the America's Army Reserve in Europe, connect on Facebook @7thmsc. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Peete.) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Tristan Peete)
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Army Reserve Brothers continue their family legacy in Europe
U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. Patrick Dellinger, a human resources specialist assigned to the 97th Chemical Battalion, 163rd Regional Support Group, 7th Mission Support Command, holds a plaque with the rank of sergeant displayed on it, following his promotion ceremony on Clay Kaserne, Wiesbaden, Germany, Oct. 19, 2024. Dellinger’s brother, U.S. Army Reserve Spc. Felix Dellinger, a combat medic also assigned to the 97th, promoted Patrick to the rank of sergeant.

The 7th Mission Support Command is the U.S. Army Reserve presence in Europe. Comprised of 26 units across Germany and Italy, the 7th MSC provides logistical and sustainment resources in support of U.S. Army Europe-Africa missions across the theater. For more stories and information on the America's Army Reserve in Europe, connect on Facebook @7thmsc. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Peete.) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Tristan Peete)
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Army Reserve Brothers continue their family legacy in Europe
The 97th Chemical Battalion’s command group and guidon bearer pose alongside U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. Patrick Dellinger, a human resources specialist, and Spc. Felix Dellinger, a combat medic specialist in the 97th Chemical Battalion, 163rd Regional Support Group, during a dual promotion and reenlistment ceremony on Clay Kaserne, Wiesbaden, Germany, Oct. 19, 2024. Felix and Patrick are brothers serving in the same unit in the 7th Mission Support Command.

The 7th Mission Support Command is the U.S. Army Reserve presence in Europe. Comprised of 26 units across Germany and Italy, the 7th MSC provides logistical and sustainment resources in support of U.S. Army Europe-Africa missions across the theater. For more stories and information on the America's Army Reserve in Europe, connect on Facebook @7thmsc. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Peete.) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Tristan Peete)
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Army Reserve Brothers continue their family legacy in Europe
U.S. Army Reserve Spc. Felix Dellinger (left), a combat medic specialist in the 97th Chemical Battalion, 163rd Regional Support Group, shakes hands with U.S. Army Reserve Lt. Col. Joseph Garcia, the commander of the 97th, during his reenlistment ceremony on Clay Kaserne, Wiesbaden, Germany, Oct. 19, 2024. Dellinger’s reenlistment ceremony took place on the 1-year anniversary of the 97th's inception.

The 7th Mission Support Command is the U.S. Army Reserve presence in Europe. Comprised of 26 units across Germany and Italy, the 7th MSC provides logistical and sustainment resources in support of U.S. Army Europe-Africa missions across the theater. For more stories and information on the America's Army Reserve in Europe, connect on Facebook @7thmsc. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Peete.) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Tristan Peete)
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Army Reserve Brothers continue their family legacy in Europe
U.S. Army Reserve Spc. Felix Dellinger, a combat medic specialist assigned to the 97th Chemical Battalion, 163rd Regional Support Group, recites the oath of enlistment during a ceremony on Clay Kaserne, Wiesbaden, Germany, Oct. 19, 2024. Dellinger's is the first reenlistment ceremony held in the 97th CM BN since its inception in October of 2023.

The 7th Mission Support Command is the U.S. Army Reserve presence in Europe. Comprised of 26 units across Germany and Italy, the 7th MSC provides logistical and sustainment resources in support of U.S. Army Europe-Africa missions across the theater. For more stories and information on the America's Army Reserve in Europe, connect on Facebook @7thmsc. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Peete.) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Tristan Peete)
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KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany - Two brothers continued their family’s legacy of service by sharing their promotion and reenlistment ceremonies on Clay Kaserne, Wiesbaden, Germany, Oct. 19, 2024.

Newly promoted U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. Patrick Dellinger and his brother, Spc. Felix Dellinger, serve in the same unit in Europe, the 97th Chemical Battalion, 163rd Regional Support Group.

Patrick received promotion orders from specialist to sergeant dated Oct. 1, 2024. Unaware of his brother's pending promotion, Felix worked with his career counselor to reenlist. They were both told that their individual ceremonies would be held during their unit’s battle assembly in October.

“From our side, it wasn’t planned that my brother got promoted, and I re-enlisted at the same time,” said Felix. “It just aligned perfectly.”

Upon this realization, they decided to conduct their individual career milestones together.

“It is definitely fun to have family in the mix,” said Felix. “I am a little competitive, so it is good to be able to push each other. I want to get where he is at.”

Their joint ceremonies weren’t the only coincidence.

“To have our first reenlistment take place on the one-year anniversary of our unit's inception was an especially meaningful moment,” said Lt. Col. Joseph Garcia, the battalion commander of the 97th CM BN. “It underscored the progress that we have made in our first year and set the stage for even greater achievements in the years to come. To have two brothers serving together in the same unit is rare, and it speaks to the strength of their bond and their shared commitment to our mission.”

The brothers grew up in Stuttgart, Germany, with their mother, a German native, and their father, a retired command sergeant major with 32 years of service.

Following the footsteps of his father, Patrick joined active duty as an infantryman in 2018 and was stationed in Alaska with the 11th Airborne Division. After his initial contract, Patrick decided to explore other options in the military.

“I joined the Army Reserve because I wanted to maintain that connection to the Army, but not dedicate as much time as I had on active duty,” said Patrick.

Patrick joined the U.S. Army Reserve in 2023 as a human resources specialist with the 97th Chemical Battalion, 163rd Regional Support Group, in Wiesbaden. While serving in the human resources section, Patrick discovered a different open position within the organization and decided to contact his younger brother and encourage him to join the Army Reserve with the unique opportunity to serve in the same unit.

Felix Dellinger also continued his family’s legacy by enlisting into the Army in 2020 as an infantryman. Felix served 4 years at Fort Liberty, North Carolina, with the 82nd Airborne Division. After his service on active duty, Felix transitioned into the Army Reserve to continue his service alongside his brother.

“The military has always been family,” said Felix. “I was planning on staying in the Army for the full 20 years, but I also wanted to explore my options on the civilian side. I got lucky that there was an opening in my brother’s unit that was close to my home in Germany.”

Coming from the active component to the Army Reserve, the Dellinger brothers have proven to be stronger together.

“The Dellinger brothers have been an incredible asset to our unit,” said Garcia. “Both bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the table, and they work exceptionally well together. They have a unique dynamic that enables them to complement each other's strengths and compensate for each other's weaknesses. They have been instrumental in our skill level one training, where their infantry background has been invaluable. Overall, I cannot overstate the impact that they have had on our unit, both as individuals and as a team.”

The Dellinger brothers plan to continue their father’s legacy of military service together while also pursuing their own civilian ventures in Europe.

“I think being able to serve in the same unit together is a great motivator for the both of us,” said Patrick. “I enjoy the family rivalry between us, it pushes us to strive to not only be better than each other but, better than ourselves.”

The 7th Mission Support Command is the U.S. Army Reserve presence in Europe. Comprised of 26 units across Germany and Italy, the 7th MSC provides logistical and sustainment resources in support of U.S. Army Europe-Africa missions across the theater. For more stories and information on the America's Army Reserve in Europe, connect on Facebook @7thmsc.