Pvt. 1st Class Nedra Placke and Pvt. 1st Class Annette Havens receive congratulations from Lt. Col. Scott Smith, 155th Chemical Battalion commander, immediately preceding their promotions to specialist. Photo by Spc. Benjamin Kroger

Sisters Nedra Placke, of Dayton, Ohio, and Annette Havens, of Beavercreek, Ohio, recently received promotions from private 1st class to specialist in front of their fellow Soldiers in Headquarters, 155th Chemical Battalion. It was a special day for two sisters who have spent much of their short military service separated.

Placke and Havens enlisted together on May 22, 2007, with the intention of attending basic training and advanced individual training together, followed by service together in the Middletown-based 155th. Things didn’t go quite according to plan, as the two were separated into different companies at basic training. They were rejoined at AIT, but then Placke was injured and had to recover before finishing her training at a later date.

Placke remembers their enlistment. “Our recruiter said he knew my sister would make it, but that he wasn’t sure about me. My family said the same thing. I was out of shape and I quit smoking the day I enlisted.” Now Placke is enjoying her service and anxiously awaiting the birth of her fourth child in late 2009. The sisters say that the experience has made them closer.

“Growing up, we were close, but we are definitely closer now than at any time before,” Havens said. “After being separated throughout training, it’s pretty special to finally get to do something together, especially something as cool as getting promoted.” Havens also praised her older sister, “We didn’t know if she would make it, but look at her now. I couldn’t be more proud of her.”

Placke summed up the day, saying, “I’m just thankful she doesn’t outrank me.”

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Story by Spc. Benjamin Kroger