Posted on 10/11/2005 5:06:10 PM PDT by SandRat
CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq (Oct. 11, 2005) -- After serving nearly 13 years in the Marine Corps respectively, two brothers with 8th Communication Battalion, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Headquarters Group, II MEF (FWD), have found themselves side-by-side in the same unit serving in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom here.
Gunnery Sgt. Frank Ashworth and Staff Sgt. Nick Ashworth are brothers separated in age by 14 months, but seem more like best friends catching up on old times.
Raised in Grants Pass, Ore., the brothers were raised by their mother.
Their father, a Marine veteran who served three tours of duty in Vietnam, passed away when they were young.
According to Nick, joining the Marine Corps was something he wanted to do since he could talk.
“I decided I was going to join when I was 4-years-old,” said Nick, 31, maintenance chief, Engineer Platoon, Charlie Company, 8th Comm., Bn. “Basically when I could say it. Then it took me about three months to convince my brother to join.”
Frank was attending community college and working when his brother entered the delayed entry program. Soon after, Frank and Nick were in the buddy program and getting ready to ship to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego.
“We were supposed to go in on the buddy program, but the recruiter needed someone to fill a spot early,” said Frank, 32, first sergeant for Charlie Company, 8th Comm. “Even though I enlisted first, he got to ship first,” added Nick.
Growing up in a small town that was big on sports, the brothers were constantly in competition with each other.
“We were very competitive growing up,” said Nick, while laughing. “Whether it was girls, wrestling, football, track, cross country, anything competitive we had to do it.”
“That’s why we were so good at it,” added Frank. “Anything from ice cream to prom dates, we were competing for it.”
As the Charlie Company 1st Sergeant, Frank is in charge of more than 250 Marines. He makes sure they are taken care of, staying out of trouble and dealing with them when they do.
Now, one of those Marines under his watch is his younger brother, who also doubles as his roommate.
“It’s just like old times,” said Frank, as the brothers erupted into laughter. “We play practical jokes on each other all the time. I’ll put shaving cream on his face or put his hand in warm water when he’s sleeping to make him walk a half-mile to use the bathroom.”
The brothers are on their first deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, however, Nick served in Operation Desert Strike in 1996, but says this one is a lot easier.
“It’s the easiest deployment I’ve ever done,” he said. “I always have somebody [around me], all the time. Operation Desert Strike was more depressing and more lonely, especially since we were heading toward the Philippines on the 13th [Marine Expeditionary Unit] and they called us back and sent us to Iraq.”
Frank agrees having his brother close makes it a more enjoyable experience.
“I miss family and friends at home, but it’s nice to have a major piece here,” he said. “Most people have to write back home to talk about their frustrations. I can go home and vent on him.”
Never short on insults for each other, the brothers enjoy trading verbal blows. Whether they’re arguing about who received the best genes from their parents or who rates the most ribbons, they never miss an opportunity to spread the brotherly love.
“When Frank was born, our parents saw the prototype and thought they could do a lot better so they had me,” said Nick, with Frank adding, “No, they saw a vision of perfection and thought they might be able to do a little better, but they were wrong.”
The Ashworth brothers will remain in Iraq until early next year, but until then, the sibling rivalry continues.
“It’s all about bragging rights and we are rivals,” said Frank.
MARINE Brothers
Click here for the story of a father and son serving together in the same unit in Iraq!
Amen!
There was also a recent article on two twin brothers that crossed paths in Iraq. The fact that they were of different ranks caused all kind of confusion when Marines couldn't tell the difference.
Nice story, FYI.
Please remind me of when you return to my area. Look forward to FReeping with you then.
Sandrat I got question is this kinda against the rule having two brothers in Iraq at SAME TIME
Hear of Sullivan brothers REMEMBER THEM
That law was changed sometime back during Nam era I think under Pres. LBJ.
Checked your Freep Profile Page; Marine, it's a Family Tradition." Good for you.
You've got a good page too!
You've got a good page too!
Soon to add another Scout Gong. On the 22nd I'm to be officially awarded my Woodbadge.
BTTT
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