Photo By Sgt. Shannon Yount | (left to right) Staff Sgt. Brian Boychak, platoon sergeant, communication electronic...... read more read more
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CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – For many, deployments mean being apart from loved ones, but for one brother duo it means a reunion.
Since June 2006, the Boychak brothers have not seen each other, as they are fully committed to serving their country in the Marine Corps.
For the brothers, the challenge of seeing one another ended once Staff Sgt. Brian Boychak stepped foot here in September for his first combat tour. He joined his brother, Staff. Sgt. Keith Boychak, who’s been on Camp Leatherneck since May, and on his third deployment.
“I wasn’t even supposed to be on this deployment, but since I knew Keith was here I put myself on it,” said Staff Sgt. Brian Boychak, platoon sergeant, communication electronic maintenance, Maintenance Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 15 (Forward), 1st Marine Logistics Group(FWD).
The reunion couldn’t have come at a better time; Keith was promoted to Staff. Sgt. here, Oct. 1 and asked his brother to pin him during the ceremony.
“I am honored,” said Brian about being asked to pin on his brother’s chevrons. “I know it means a lot to him, and he’s been waiting a very long time.” By Keith asking me, he adds, it’s his way of saying his brother is one of the most important people in my life.
“No better way to show someone that you appreciate them than having them pin you,” said Keith.
The Boychak’s grew up in Hallandale, Fla., where they were raised by their father, Nick Boychak.
Our father walks around proud that both of his sons are in the service and successful, Brian said. “A lot of parents cannot claim what he can.”
The Boychak name was first brought into the Marine Corps in 1997 when Brian enlisted. Not soon after, in 1999, the Marine Corps received another Boychak: Keith.
“I learned what the Marine Corps can provide from my brother,” said Keith, 29.
Keith explained, since he began fatherhood at a young age, he wanted to make a decision that would benefit the future of his family.
“I wanted to be able to provide for my daughter with a stable job,” said Keith, husband of Eva and father of Keila, 13, Kamila, 9 and Kalista, 7.
“I didn’t even know he joined until I got the letter from boot camp,” said Brian, 31. From the letter he recites, ‘I joined the Marine Corps because I saw how well you were doing’.
“I don’t even remember that,” Keith said as he laughed.
“I do, I was really proud,” said Brian in response to Keith’s comment.
Brian explained, even though they are both in the same service, they have never been stationed on the same coast: Brian on the west and Keith on the east.
In addition to their locations, their career paths did not overlap either. Although they both share the same billet of platoon sergeant, their duties within that billet differ due to their specific jobs.
Brian makes sure the Marines are up-to-date with their combat and military occupation specialist training. This allows them to provide communication support for those who are fighting against the insurgency.
Keith makes sure the weapons, ammunition, vehicles and Marines are ready to go at a moment’s notice since he is in charge of a platoon that provides security for support missions. They provide security for road projects, fixed sites, recovery missions, resupply missions and anything that needs security to complete the mission.
For the Boychak’s, the reunion was short lived since Keith is preparing himself and his platoon for the next mission at hand. Not knowing what is in store for their careers; they plan on making the most of it.
“I plan to stay in until we both can retire on the same day, same time and same place,” said Brian.
| Date Taken: | 09.30.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 10.04.2010 02:17 |
| Story ID: | 57444 |
| Location: | CAMP LEATHERNECK, AF |
| Web Views: | 430 |
| Downloads: | 10 |
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