Capts. Belinda (left) and Brenda (right) Trevillion, Sacramento, Calif., natives, take a break from their work Jan. 20 in the headquarters building of 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad

Like any other sibling rivalry, Brenda and Belinda might fight about anything – from hobbies, to clothes, and even answering the same question can send them into a fuss. But where their opinions differ, their appearance and shared work ethic make up for in similarities.

As twin sisters, both Brenda and Belinda Trevillion have spent most of their 25 years together. From going off to college to ROTC and into the Army, their goals and accomplishments both define and illustrate their dynamic bond.

Currently, Brenda is serving as the protocol officer for the secretary general staff, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad. And just as her tour is coming to an end, her twin sister, Belinda, also a protocol officer assigned to the 1st Cavalry Div., is training with her as part of the official relief-in-place and the 4th Inf. Div.’s transfer of authority of the MND-B area of operations to the 1st Cav. Div., due to take place in early February.

Brenda and Belinda, Sacramento, Calif., natives, always planned to join the military. They can’t say if it was their father – a military presence in the household – or the idea of adventure the Army held. But together their ambitions grew and led them to travel across the country to attend South Carolina State University.

There, they met with an Army recruiter, who signed them into the ROTC program. Throughout college, they were like night and day. While Brenda studied business economics, Belinda tended to lean toward a more creative outlet and found she enjoyed fashion merchandising.

Living together for most of their lives, the battle of wits has always kept the Trevillions on their toes.

“We get along very well, but we argue like eight times a day,” said Belinda. “It gets to the point that we know what to say to make the other person mad.”

Belinda commissioned in May 2005 and Brenda joined shortly after in July. Once commissioned into the Army, the two were sent to different units – Brenda was assigned to 4th Inf. Div. and Belinda went to 1st Cav. Div.

Both sisters have held many positions over the last four years which have allowed them to build strength and gain leadership experience. They have been an unstoppable force within their respective divisions, where they both currently hold the same position, that of protocol officers.

Though it is obvious that they have certainly built a pattern between their two lives and careers, they never planned on having the same job in different units.

“Everything she does, I do; and everything I do, she does. It’s weird. You don’t plan it; it just happens,” said Belinda.

When it comes to ceremonies, protocol officers like the Trevillion twins are the executers for coordinating and organizing command group events, to include RSVPs, seating arrangements and catering.

“We support the commanding general and [other top leaders] in all ceremonies and special events,” said Brenda. “We all have different projects we are working on, such as commander boards, officer boards – we track all the book reports for the MND-B area.”

Being deployed for a second time, Brenda is relieved that she was able to see her sister, even though only for two weeks. During the previous deployment to Iraq in 2005 through 2007, even though Brenda was in Camp Taji and Belinda was in Camp Liberty, they were able to see each other during the Thanksgiving holiday, Brenda said.

Again, luck seems to be on their side. Once more, they were able to see each other, unfortunately just in passing, but the Trevillions maintain that it is a comfort nonetheless.

“I think it’s great to have my sister here,” said Brenda. “It’s like a comfort from home. It’s nice to have family over here with me, but it is also scary. It’s dangerous; you never know when a mortar is going to hit or a rocket is going to come in.

“It’s great that we are here together, but it will always be in the back of my mind. It’s hard because, yeah, we are together, but in a few weeks, I will be leaving her.”

Brenda said although the hardship in Iraq is tough, sometimes she feels as though it helped her to mature, like when she was a support platoon leader at Forward Operating Base Falcon for the first four months of the deployment.

“The opportunity to be here in Iraq as a support transportation platoon leader for combat logistics patrols has made me grow up. I was able to multi-task. I was able to step outside of myself with the help of the many NCOs,” said Brenda.

“There are a lot of NCOs and maintenance officers that really supported me and helped me become a better leader. You learn so much from your subordinates. For me, being in that platoon changed my life.”

Brenda finds reassurance in her hard work through the praise and endearments of her old platoon. She said the camaraderie of a team lifestyle and esprit de corps have been the most rewarding of experiences.

“The value of having the sisters together is they know each other so well there is a minimum amount of misunderstanding,” explained Spc. Kevin Harrelson, who also serves in the SGS, 4th Inf. Div.

“As twins, they have that knack for knowing what the other is saying without too much of an explanation. She cuts across the board, working with the NCOs and officers. She meshes well throughout the ranks and most definitely likes to speak her mind,” added Harrelson of Brenda.

In a matter of weeks, Brenda will have packed her bags and headed back to Fort Hood, leaving behind her twin sister. Even as the sibling rivalry rages, she said her hope for Belinda is that she excels and provides great support for her division.

DVIDS
By Staff Sgt. Jody Metzger
Multi-National Division – Baghdad Public Affairs Office

Newly promoted twin sisters, U.S. Army Sgt. Cassandra Walker, left, and U.S. Army Sgt. Calista Walker, right, both assigned to the 525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, congratulate each other for their most recent achievement in Kandahar, Afghanistan, Feb. 6. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Joseph Coslett)

DVIDS

For Calista and Cassandra Walker, being together is something that has been the cornerstone of their lives … since birth!

The 24-year-old twin sisters, assigned to different detachments of the 525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade in Afghanistan, have achieved every major milestone together. The sisters completed high school, received college degrees in Criminal Justice, enlisted in the U.S. Army, attended Basic and Advanced Individual Training, and embarked on their first duty assignment, including a three-month deployment to Iraq, together.

(more…)

KCCI has a nice story about Ashley and Tasha Gerken, featured here many times.

Our Best: Babe Edition TWINS!

Interview With Ashley and Tasha

Tasha Got Blown Up

Ashley and Tasha Gerken are two young women serving you and I, in the United States Army. They’re stationed in Kuwait but were able to respond to my interview request on a recent leave. Anything in italics is theirs. I have not changed a thing.

Bio: Ashley and Tasha- 20 years old, 88M, SGT/E-5 currently with the 217th TC from San Antonio, TX. Joined at 17 years of age during Junior year in High School at Manson Northwest Webster in Manson, IA. We were assigned to the 482nd TC (915 unit), which then became 445th TC (PLS unit). Did basic training in Fort Jackson, SC, during summer of 2004. Then went back to High School to finish senior year, then went to Fort Bliss, TX, during summer of 2006, for AIT. Moved to El Paso, TX, at the beginning of 2006 and in March transferred to 5035th Garrison Support Unit on Fort Bliss, TX. Then in June, was put on orders for deployment.

1. Why did you enlist? Are there other members of the military in your family that influenced your decision

Ashley- I have always wanted to do the military thing my whole life. I remember always wanting to play as a military person. Then one day walking through the mall, I wanted to stop in to talk to our recruiter, who was friends with our mom. We ended up going to MEPS within a few days. No influences, we just both wanted to do it.

tash- When we were both really young, we had always had this dream of becoming a “GI JOE”. We were both tom-boys and since we had already planned on joining it was rather simple. Our family always knew, in the back of their head, that we would join some day. We were 17 when we enlisted and because of that we needed a parents signature. Everyone in our family was shocked that we wanted to join while we were still in high school but since our mother knew if she didn’t sign the paper then we would just wait until the next year. So, with much time to think, she signed them. I wanted to go Air Force but I researched the branches and found that the Army Reserves would best suit me. There was really no influence at all about it….our family just stood behind us in our decision.


2. How long do you plan on serving?

Ashley- I want to go Active duty and do 20 years, but I feel like I am in a position that it would be best if I stay reserves, with some of the future plans I have.

tash- I was planning on going Active duty after high school and be in for 20 years. Now…I still would like to do 20 years but I have started my life long dream of barrel racing and I am starting to get some of my goals started. So, I kind of thought through it and I figured that if I do 20 years as a reservist I will still have all the benefits…just at a later time. Plus, I want to work as an instructor for transportation so I can stay in the reserves and do a civilian job.


3. Without violating opsec, please describe a typical convoy.

BOTH- Well, a convoy is anything over two vehicles and we probably average 25 vehicles in a convoy. All we do is pick up whatever it is that is needed and take it to where it needs to go. Depending on where we have to go a mission can last close to a month. We are always scanning for any suspicious activity or anything that looks like a threat.


4. Do you wear body armor while working? Are your vehicles armored? Are you comfortable with this level of protection?

BOTH- Only when we are on mission do we wear our body armor. Because we are stationed in Kuwait, it is considered a safe zone and therefore we do not need to wear it. Yes, the vehicles are up armored and I am very comfortable with the level of protection. The trucks we drive are like the safest wheeled vehicle you can drive….and the biggest.


5. What are your impressions of Iraq and Kuwait, as a place to visit, their people? Do you get any opportunity to meet locals off base?

BOTH- I don’t think it is somewhere to go on vacation but it is not a bad place. Most of the people I have seen are really humble and appear to be harmless. I have met some locals and they are really nice people. They offer you gifts and are just really friendly towards the soldiers. Yes, you do have to follow the saying ‘trust no one’ but all in all they are glad we are there and that we got Saddam out. It would be a good place for some people to visit just to show how much we take for granted. I know I will try not to do that again because I realize how easy we have it in the states.


6. What would you say to a young woman thinking of enlisting?

BOTH- You really need to be able to pull your weight and learn to take initiative. An important thing to consider before joining is ‘Am I joining for the right reason?’ I honestly wouldn’t want someone fighting by my side knowing that they are only there for college money and not to serve with their fellow soldiers. I have seen too many people joining for the wrong reason and then regretting it in the long run. Some are just not meant to be in the military at all. Females: You need to do what you are told, put up with the other male/female soldiers (trust me on this one), and don’t pull the ‘Females can get away with anything’ stuff (too many think that), and you would do just fine in the military.


7. What one piece of advice would you give your replacement in theater? What hard-learned lesson or tip or trick that proves invaluable?

tash- Short-cuts you find aren’t always good. Safety always has to come first so take your time to think everything out first before you act. We have had too many preventable incidents so far, and another one: “Complacency kills!”




8. Every time I write a piece about women in combat, such as Amanda Pinson or Leigh Ann Hester, some caveman always wants to argue that women do not belong in combat. What is your opinion?

Ashley- Why can’t a woman be in combat? Cause we are supposed to be the “house wife”? The military is “so” big on Equal Opportunities, but females can’t do a portion of the jobs, because they are female. I can carry my weight and out do some males, so how is someone going to tell me that women don’t belong in combat? There are some males that definitely don’t belong here.

tash- I absolutely HATE when people think that. It is a free country and we can do whatever we want. I have seen females totally out do males. Females can be just as good or better then males. I know some males that would love to be able to do what I can or know what I know. I disagree with the fact about females aren’t allowed in the infantry. Oh well, I guess….we all have our opinions.


MOS 88M

Heavy Equipment Transporter

Army Ranks

5035th Garrison Support Unit on Fort Bliss, TX

Yes, today we feature good looking twins. Female type military personnel. Twins, dammit!

Picking on old media, even.

Twin sisters Sgt. Tasha Gerken, right, and Sgt. Ashley Gerken look through a “Stars and Stripes” newspaper, changing words of the headlines into humourous phrases. It’s a hobby the two picked up while deployed to Kuwait. Photographer: Staff Sgt. Christopher Jones 40th Public Affairs Detachment

DoD

Sgt. Tasha Gerken is left-handed.

It’s an important bit of information if you want any chance of distinguishing her from Sgt. Ashley Gerken, her twin sister.

Of course, through their eyes, there are plenty of differences.

“You wouldn’t want two Tashas,” said Ashley, smiling at her sister.

“It’s better than two Ashleys,” her sister responds.

Deployed to Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, the Iowa-born twins are truck drivers in the 217th Transportation Company, supporting Third Army/U.S. Army Central.

Ashley and Tasha are virtually indistinguishable by appearances, and they have been known to play tricks on members of their unit.

Sometimes Tasha’s squad leader, Staff Sgt. Timmie Wilkins, approaches his Soldier to relay information to her, unaware that Tasha is not really Tasha.

“It’s confusing,” said Wilkins. “I go up and talk to this one [pointing at Ashley], and she’ll just let me go on and on”¦”

“I have to get the same information twice,” quipped Tasha.

If life seems complicated as one of the Gerken’s squad leader, imagine being a boyfriend.

Ashley recalls a time in high school when a guy she was dating got a little confused.

“Her boyfriend got mixed up after [Ashley] left the room,” said Tasha, “and he came up to me and starting touching my leg and hugging me. I was like, “˜um, hello?’”

The Gerkens’ Army career began in Manson, Iowa, after their junior year at Manson Northwest Webster High School. At this time, the twins were off to Basic Training. They went to Advanced Individual Training upon graduating the following year.

The Gerkens’ primary mission in theater isn’t actually in Kuwait – the twins drive heavy equipment transporters, distributing cargo to various camps in Iraq.

Dangerous as their job is, their unit ensures the Gerken twins are never in the same convoy while in Iraq.

“What it boils down to is that if something happens [on the road], you don’t want it to happen to both of them,” said Wilkins.

With such a rule in place, the Gerkens don’t often get to see each other, even though they are deployed to the same camp. But both Ashley and Tasha say they know it’s for the best, especially with the peace-of-mind it offers their other family members back home.

However, Ashley and Tasha aren’t used to being away from each other; in fact, the first time one went on a mission in Iraq was the longest they had ever been separated.

“Back home, we spend every minute together,” said Ashley. “We spend a lot less time together here because of [the mission].”

And during these times of separation, family members are quick to remind the sisters to not only keep in touch with family back home, but also with each other. “I’ll get e-mails from mom,” said Ashley, “and she will say, “˜Tasha misses you. E-mail her.’”

But when they do get the chance to be together at Camp Arifjan, they take advantage of it.

“We don’t spend much time away from each other when we’re both here,” said Ashley. “We’re lucky to have family here, and we’re best friends.”

Sibling rivalries may be common, especially among twins, but Ashley and Tasha consider themselves unique since they rarely argue and jealousy is hardly an issue ““ “except when I get more comments on [the Web site] Myspace,” says Ashley. “[Tasha] gets kind of jealous when that happens. She’s like, “˜Why did mom leave you a comment and not me?’”

Their friendship is such that whenever the two discuss future plans, the plans normally include each other.

After their redeployment, they plan on settling down in El Paso, Texas, a place they “fell in love with” while being mobilized at nearby Fort Bliss.

They want to buy several acres of property to build a ranch, where they can breed horses.

For their family in northwestern Iowa, El Paso isn’t as close as they would like to be to the twins, but at least they can rest easy, knowing they’ll be in good company.

“We’re so used to being together that we always find a way to hang out,” said Tasha. “It’s just natural for us to be together.”