By Silas Allen
JALALABAD, Afghanistan — A forward operating base in Afghanistan recently played host to the reunion of two Maries County brothers.
Sgt. John Green and Spc. Kevin Green, both of Vienna, are both deployed to Afghanistan's Nangarhar province as a part of the Missouri National Guard's Agribusiness Development Team program. John, 23, is a member of Agribusiness Development Team II, which has been deployed to the region since December. Kevin, 20, recently came to the province with Agribusiness Development Team III, which is replacing the second team.
During their meeting, the two brothers shared stories about their experiences. Kevin said seeing his older brother has given him a certain amount of comfort, despite the fact that he is in an unfamiliar country.
"It's not my backyard, not like the farm," Kevin said. "It feels comforting to have someone here that I know. It helps to know that I am following in his footsteps, driving the same routes he drove, driving the same trucks, staying in the same billets John did."
Both brothers are assigned to the security force teams in their respective units, meaning they protect other team members as they work to carry out the unit's mission. John said he is doing his best to bring his younger brother up to speed before he leaves.
"It is great to have my brother here," John said. "I am showing and sharing information on how the ADT is filled with professionals that treat the locals with respect and dignity."
John joined the Missouri National Guard in 2003. He was deployed to Iraq with the 735th Force Provider Company from May 2007 to April 2008. Kevin enlisted in 2006. Before he joined the team, he had never deployed abroad. He served previously with the 220th Engineer Company.
"It is quite clear that they are very close," said Maj. Denise Wilkinson, the executive officer of the second team. "Kevin looks up to John a lot and has purposely followed in his footsteps."
John said he hopes to leave his younger brother with the knowledge he gained while he was deployed with the second team, and with a few other things besides.
"One thing is certain, Kevin will be set when I leave," John said. "I am giving him my refrigerator, TV, DVD player and microwave."
The teams each consist of approximately 60 Missouri Army and Air National Guard members. Included in the units are security force personnel and agriculture specialists including agronomists, pest management specialists, agriculture marketing specialists, hydrologists, soil science specialists and large-animal veterinarian. Unlike the previous two teams, the third team also includes judge advocate general and contracting officers.
The Missouri National Guard became the first in the nation to have an Agribusiness Development Team in 2007. The first team served in Nangarhar province from fall 2007 until December 2008. The second team will return to Missouri next month, at which point the third team will continue the Agribusiness Development Team program's mission. The third team is expected to return to Missouri in August.
For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please call 1-800-GoGuard or visit www.moguard.com.