Brothers in Arms

FORT BLISS, TX, UNITED STATES

05.26.2018

Story by Sgt. Brittany Johnson 

155th Armored Brigade Combat Team

Staff Sgt. Joshua Hough and Staff Sgt. Jacob Hough, cannon crewmembers assigned to Battery B, 2d Battalion, 114th Field Artillery Regiment became permanent battle buddies the day they were born.
The twins were practically inseparable growing up, said Jake. From playing the same sports, to hanging out with the same friends. They even bought their first truck together.
“We started driving and we’d take turns,” said Jake “I’d drive to school, and he’d drive back.”
Their brotherly bond didn’t stop there though. At the age of 17 the Hough brothers made the decision to join the Mississippi Army National Guard.
“We wanted to do something with the Armed Forces,” said Jake, “and we thought about the Marines. Then the Army National Guard came knocking at the door, and we said this is something we can do together.”
“We really wanted to deploy and serve the country,” said Josh, “and just to be able to explore the world a little bit.”
After enlisting, the brothers left for basic training only this time they weren’t going to have each other.
“I seen him the first week I was there, but it wasn’t very long,” said Jake. “It was pretty tough, because I hadn’t been without my brother my whole life.”
“We would meet up at church on Sundays,” said Josh, “and hang out for a couple hours then go back to our respective batteries.”
Upon graduating basic training, the brothers were united once again for their advanced individual training and afterwards as they were handed off to Battery A in Ackerman, Miss.
“Our first unit was right near our home town in Ackerman,” said Josh. “We wanted to be close to home and that’s where we got to be.”
When they arrived at their first National Guard unit, they had the advantage of knowing at least one familiar face, because they had their battle buddy.
“We went into the battery knowing at least each other,” said Josh. “So that made it easier.”
Being the new person in a new unit can be hard, but for Jake and Josh, Alpha Battery took them in like family.
“Most people in our unit hadn’t seen twins in the National Guard,” said Jake. “We were called Hough one and two or the Hough brothers.”
As soon as they were settled in they couldn’t help but to take advantage of the situation.
“Once we got to know everybody we started messing with them,” said Jake. “One time we were standing in the front of the formation, and the smoke (platoon leader) was talking to us. He turned around, and we switched spots. He didn’t see it, but everyone else just started laughing.”
Throughout the course of their military career the brothers have managed to be assigned to the same battery and advance in rank together which made everything a rivalry between them.
“It’s definitely made me progress a lot faster than the majority, because it’s a competition,” said Josh.
Being promoted at the same time came to a halt when it was time to pin on staff sergeant. They took their E-6 slot at the same time, but Joshua was pinned first.
“Some how we’ve just ranked up at the same time, but I got pinned before him,” said Josh. “I hold that over his head a lot.”
Now the brothers are both section chiefs and preparing for their first deployment together with the 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team.
They will be in separate platoons throughout the deployment, but they will still be in the same battery, said Josh.
“It’s always good to have someone from home right there with you, so you don’t miss home as much,” said Josh.
“We wanted to do it together,” said Jake. “It would be tough if he was somewhere else.”
Everything they have accomplished in life together and in military, they have had each other for support and encouragement.
It’s like the battle buddy program, said Josh.
“You have your best friend next to you the entire way,” said Josh. “Someone to lean on if you need to get stronger or anything else. He’s always there for me, and I’m always there for him.”
A battle buddy isn’t just someone who is there. They are someone you can count on, trust, and confide in. It’s not always easy to find that one person who always has your back, but for Jacob and Joshua Hough they always know where to turn for that support.

• Date Taken: 05.26.2018
• Date Posted: 05.26.2018 21:31
• Story ID: 278542
• Location: FORT BLISS, TX, US
• Hometown: ACKERMAN, MS, US