Photo By Staff Sgt. Mackenzie Gibson | The Gautreaux brothers take a picture together after training at the School of...... read more read more
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Darkness looms over the recruits as they crawl under tangles of barbed wire through muddy trenches. As the recruits scream encouragements amongst one another to complete the obstacle, one particular duo of future Marines literally drag each other to the finish line. One will not leave the other behind, because they are twins; bound by brotherhood.
Now, as intelligence specialists in the Marine Corps, Lance Cpl. Mitch Gautreaux and Pfc. Jason Gautreaux prepare to graduate together from the Squadron Intelligence Training Certification Course at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, May 16, 2017.
Born only an hour apart, the Marines have been together since before they can remember. As their friendship was unbreakable, they often played on the same sports teams through childhood. When the idea to join the Marine Corps came about, the pair made the commitment together.
“My big brother was joining, and I couldn’t let him go off and do something so cool alone,” said Mitch. “I thought I might as well go on the adventure with him.”
The twins enlisted directly after high school with the intelligence specialists military occupational specialty. They trained in the same platoon during Marine Corps recruit training, Marine combat training, and their MOS school.
“I’ve always had someone looking out for me,” said Jason. “He’s always been right there; pushing me. It goes both ways too. I try to help him succeed in everything as well.”
According to Mitch, having his brother train alongside him has helped them both excel to new heights.
“If one of us is struggling, we could look over to see the other struggling as well,” said Mitch. “I’d think to myself ‘If he can do it, I can do it too.’”
Both Marines will soon be assigned to units in close proximity to one another after graduating from SITCC. Jason will be assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 267 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, and Mitch will be assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465 at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California.
“We’ll still be able to visit each other often,” said Jason. “The separation of the work spaces will be very different, but I don’t think it will be a bad thing at all.”
Mitch states it has always been a benefit to have his brother with him, and they are excited to get out of training and start making a positive impact in the Marine Corps.
“When we joined, our brotherhood was strengthened through the bond the Marine Corps instilled in us,” said Mitch. “I can’t wait to get into the fleet and actually start making a difference.”
| Date Taken: | 05.19.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 05.22.2017 11:05 |
| Story ID: | 234502 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 834 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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