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In Cleveland, Ohio, Dec. 15, 1993, two brothers were born. Almost 20 years later, these twins walked out the door to become fellow shipmates and later travel the world together aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74).
Having family by your side on deployment not only supplies support but also inspiration.
Just as they came into the world together, Interior Communications Electrician 2nd Class Zachary Morrow and Interior Communications Electrician 2nd Branden Morrow joined the Navy together while still in high school on March 20, 2012. They went to boot camp and “A” school together, and lastly were stationed on the same ship.
“Personally, college was never something I wanted to do so I talked to recruiters,” said Branden. “One day, the Navy recruiter showed up at my house and sat down with me, my parents, my brother and my best friend.”
Three weeks later, the two brothers were at the Military Entrance Processing Station in the same room picking their rate. In the end, they walked out of the detailer’s office with the same rate and ship-out date.
“I knew he picked Interior Communications Electrician and I didn’t want to go through all of the rates the detailer was offering,” said Zachary. “So, I said give me what he chose.”
Zachary and Branden graduated high school that May, giving them a summer before they left for boot camp.
“We left for boot camp Sept. 25, 2012,” said Branden. “We got put in the same boot camp division by coincidence.”
After boot camp, they went to “A” school, where they were put in the same class, meaning they graduated “A” school together. Before they knew it, it was time to be assigned orders for their first duty station.
“We did a dream sheet of where we preferred to go,” said Branden. “Our detailer asked us if we wanted to be stationed together. We told him we did and when it was time to receive orders, we both got orders to Everett, Washington. Originally, we got orders to the [aircraft carrier USS] Nimitz. But before we left, both our orders got modified to the John C. Stennis.”
When the ship left for deployment, they realized having family along means they always have someone there for them.
“I think it helps to have someone who is always there,” said Branden. “It’s nice to have someone who can tell when you’re having a bad day without expressing it. My brother can tell when somethings wrong, and he’s the someone I can open up to about what’s bothering me.”
Though sometimes it causes extra stress having to worry for a second person, it’s nice to have someone to relate to, said Zachary.
In the end, both brothers enjoy each other’s company and having the support from their twin, along with having inspiration and a little push from each other.
“It’s a pleasure to have someone that I know is going to drive me to do my best just so that I can out-do him,” said Zachary. “It’s a fun competition to keep both of us on our toes, trying to be the best we can be.”
Zachary and Branden give each other the extra momentum they need to succeed in their careers.
“He’s always had better evaluations and made rank faster than me,” said Branden. “He’s an example, a bench mark and my inspiration. I know that if I follow in his footsteps I can get to where he’s at.”
That inspiration comes from the overall support system. These twins have someone always by their side, to be there for inspiration, or just an ear to talk to.
“Not everybody has someone there for them at all times to go talk to,” said Branden. “And to have that means a lot to me.”
From birth to the John C. Stennis, Zachary and Branden Morrow have each other for support and they will continue to as the deployment carries on.
The John C. Stennis is deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
For more news on John C. Stennis, visit www.stennis.navy.mil or follow along on Facebook at www.facebook.com/stennis74.
| Date Taken: | 02.23.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 02.23.2019 02:47 |
| Story ID: | 311765 |
| Location: | PACIFIC OCEAN |
| Web Views: | 135 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Brothers at Sea, by PO2 Skyler Okerman, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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