Photo By Staff Sgt. Jody Metzger | Capts. Belinda (left) and Brenda (right) Trevillion, Sacramento, Calif., natives, take...... read more read more
By Staff Sgt. Jody Metzger
Multi-National Division – Baghdad Public Affairs Office
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – 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.
| Date Taken: | 01.28.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 01.28.2009 03:19 |
| Story ID: | 29358 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 489 |
| Downloads: | 306 |
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