Photo By Kimberly Hackbarth | Capt. Matthew Neal (left), a physical therapist with 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st...... read more read more
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BAGHDAD — Becoming a "lifer" in the U.S. Army is a big deal. It's an even bigger statement when you make that commitment in the beginning of your second tour in Iraq.
To Sgt. 1st Class Philip Neal, a native of Gibson City, Ill., now the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division's legal team non-commissioned officer-in-charge, reenlisting indefinitely wasn't the only thing that made the event special. His brother, Capt. Matthew Neal, also of Gibson City, a physical therapist with 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, did the honors of reenlisting him at the al-Faw palace, here, Oct. 13.
Philip originally joined the Illinois National Guard in 1994 as a paralegal specialist to pay for college. He enjoyed his job so much he switched to active duty in December of 1997.
In 2003, he became a recruiter. Meanwhile, his brother, Matthew, wanted to be a physical therapist and decided to enlist.
"I was trying to get into the U.S. Army Baylor physical therapy program. I didn't get selected the first time around, so I enlisted as a medic," he said.
It was only right that he went to the one person he knew would never do him wrong.
"A lot of Soldiers say 'My recruiter lied to me.' I couldn't say that because he's my brother, so he's not going to lie to me," he said.
When he got out of school, Matthew applied to the physical therapy program and got selected.
Now, in 2009, the brothers reunited in Baghdad where Matthew re-enlisted Philip indefinitely.
Matthew came down from Forward Operating Base Warrior, in the Kirkuk region, to attend a physical therapy conference and made a stop at the palace.
Out on one of the palace's many balconies, with the view of Baghdad in the background, Philip stood with his right hand raised in front of coworkers from the legal team and old friends and recited the oath of enlistment for the last time.
The ceremony was the first time the two encountered each other in uniform and, until then, Philip always insisted that he wouldn't salute his little brother.
The brothers shared the inside joke with the attendees of the ceremony as they watched Philip salute the brother he himself enlisted nearly six years ago.
Joking aside, Matthew admitted that his brother motivates him.
"I just look at him and he's squared away, so it kind of inspires me to make sure that I am striving for the same excellence in my career," he said.
In return, Philip always tried to set an example for his little brother.
"I've always tried to do the right thing," he said. "And if I didn't, I would just blame it on him [Matthew]. What are little brothers for?"
The older Neal sets an example not only for his brother, but for Soldiers worldwide by committing himself to the Army in a job he loves and hopes others can follow his lead.
"As long as you're happy doing what you're doing you should continue doing it. I enjoy being a paralegal, so I figure I'll stay in and finish out my 20 [years] or more."
| Date Taken: | 10.16.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 10.16.2009 11:00 |
| Story ID: | 40218 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 869 |
| Downloads: | 831 |
This work, Brother to brother re-enlistment, by Kimberly Hackbarth, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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