Courtesy Photo | Spc. Joseph Dubose (left) and Spc. Tawanna Dubose, both food service specialists with...... read more read more
By Sgt. Mary S. Katzenberger
BAGHDAD - Spc. Tawanna Dubose and Spc. Joseph Dubose believe the most important ingredients in a marriage are trust and communication.
The food service specialists, both with Company B, 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 1st Advise and Assist Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, United States Division – Center, have spent the majority of their marriage deployed, and have experienced the successes and struggles that result from mixing matrimony and combat, all while working side-by-side.
The most important lessons the Duboses said they have learned in the past eight months in Iraq have been not to hold onto negative energy and to remember that their main mission at the end of the day is to support and motivate one another.
“You have to find the positive in (life),” Tawanna said. “If not, either your professional life or your personal life is going to conflict.”
The Duboses met in 2007 when Tawanna, a Chicago native, transferred to active duty service from the Illinois National Guard and was stationed at Fort Stewart, Ga. She and Joseph, a Minden, La., native, quickly became friends. The Duboses worked in the same section in Company F, 3rd Bat., 69th Armor Regt.
“We started hanging out after work and on the weekends,” Tawanna said. “More chemistry formed and here (we are).”
Tawanna and Joseph easily settled into the routine of dating and working together - an experience that showed them they accomplish a lot more together than they do apart. The couple dated for exactly one year and were married on June 8, 2009, only five short months before their unit was scheduled to deploy.
The Duboses were not sure they would be sent to the same area when deployed, but their concerns were alleviated when they were both sent to work in the dining facility at Joint Security Station War Eagle. After JSS War Eagle was signed over to the Iraqi Army, the couple was transferred to JSS Old MoD, in Baghdad.
Throughout the deployment, Joseph and Tawanna said they have worked hard to debunk the myth that married soldiers cannot work well with one another and believe they have succeeded in that mission.
“The stereotype … was held against us,” Joseph said. “But we’ve pretty much (proven) that if you’re married you can work together.”
Tawanna added the couple is known as “the dynamic duo” and that they’ve acquired a reputation for getting things done.
Joseph said he has also had to learn how to separate the roles of husband and Soldier while at work, which has been difficult because he sees himself as Tawanna’s support channel.
Tawanna said her biggest challenge has been to learn how to let go of minor arguments so they do not fester and cause problems in the relationship.
“[You have to] go to bed with a smile on your face regardless of what’s happened, what’s been said, [or] what’s been done,” Tawanna said. “If you don’t have that mind frame you’re going to have a lot of unnecessary stress.”
While the deployment has strengthened their marriage, the Duboses said they are excited to redeploy and spend time cooking together in their own kitchen.
Joseph said he is looking forward to enjoying Tawanna’s cheesecake, which is made using a recipe Tawanna’s grandmother crafted. Tawanna said she can’t wait to taste Joseph’s specialties: soul food and barbeque.
“He makes a mean turkey dressing,” Tawanna said. “I can just request it and it can be the only thing on the menu, and I’ll eat that for about three days.”
Tawanna said Joseph has served as her motivation to do her best at work and in her college courses in her spare time.
“He’s my best friend,” she said. “I guess you could say it’s like how when you’re in basic training and you find that one battle buddy—that’s basically what we are.”
| Date Taken: | 10.01.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 10.01.2010 02:54 |
| Story ID: | 57280 |
| Location: | IQ |
| Web Views: | 145 |
| Downloads: | 10 |
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