Brothers come in with a 'Storm' and leave at 'Dawn'

By Sgt. Shannon R. GregoryMarch 30, 2011

Brothers come in with a 'Storm' and leave at 'Dawn'
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. 1st Class John A. Massengale from Ringgold, Ga. stands at parade rest while discussing motor pool operations with his younger brother Command Sgt. Maj. Clay Massengale from Chickamauga, Ga. on March 16, 2011 at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. Both brother... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Brothers come in with a 'Storm' and leave at 'Dawn'
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. 1st Class John A. Massengale from Ringgold, Ga. stands with his younger brother Command Sgt. Maj. Clay Massengale from Chickamauga, Ga. on March 16, 2011 at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. The brothers are on their second and final deployment together bef... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait-This is not just another deployment for two brothers, it is a historic deployment as well. Clay Massengale from Chickamauga, Ga. and John A. Massengale from Ringgold, Ga., both are assigned to the 230th Sustainment Brigade headquartered out of Chattanooga, Tenn.

The 230th Sustainment Brigade has been tasked with the robust mission of logistical sustainment of units in Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan, while engaging in a responsible drawdown of equipment and infrastructure out of the Iraq Theater. Not only is this a large scale mission, drawing down a sizeable coalition footprint established over the last 8 years, but it is also the Massengale brothers last deployment.

The brother's first deployment was at the beginning of Operation Desert Storm. Clay was a Staff Sgt. and the assistant section chief for the Radio Teletype (RATT) section. He was assigned to Headquarters Battery, 196th Field Artillery Brigade, while John A. was a Sgt. 1st Class and the Motor Sergeant assigned to Headquarters Battery, 1-181st Field Artillery Battalion. Even though they were in different batteries, they were still in the same unit and were able to see each other.

Now during their final deployment, John A. is a Sgt. 1st Class and the Motor Sergeant for Special Troops Battalion, and loves his job here; while his little brother is the Command Sgt. Maj. for the same battalion. Clay also completed another deployment in 2007-2008 at Camp Bucca, Iraq with the 1-181st Field Artillery Battalion, without his brother John A.

The brothers like to tease and joke around with each other, older brother picking on younger brother; younger brother out-ranking older brother, teasing him. They say

their relationship has grown stronger since they have both been in the National Guard. "He's a Sergeant Major and I respect that," said John A. "But I still, every once in a while, I got to throw in 'I'm calling Mom.'"

They are both very proud of each other. Clay, commenting on what he respects about his older brother, said "His longevity. 40 years in the service of our country. That's pretty High-Speed. And his willingness to overcome the physical wear and tear on his body, that's tough."

"I am so proud of him," commented John A. "I gave him some goals when he came into the Guard and told him how to succeed in life. He took on these goals and persevered in many ways."

Commenting on their latest deployment, John A. said, "I saw the beginning of this war in Desert Storm and now I'll see the end of it with the Soldiers coming out of Iraq.""