Photo By Sheila Holifield | Staff Sgt. Matthew Hill (left), a squad leader, Sgt. Timothy Hill (middle), a team...... read more read more
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CAMP SHELBY, Miss. — As Soldiers with Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 151st Infantry Regiment from Logansport, Ind., prepare for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan, one thing stands out among four Soldiers in the unit.
Not only are they all infantrymen, but for Staff Sgt. Matthew Hill, a squad leader with the unit, Sgt. Timothy Hill, a team leader, and Spc. Anthony Hill, a gunner, they are all also brothers. They are deploying together with another member of their family, their stepfather, Staff Sgt. Richard Mark, also a squad leader with the unit.
The brothers and their stepfather will be mentoring Afghanistan police officers, training them on various tactics and proper techniques and procedures.
"This is my second deployment, and I am excited for the mission," said Matthew Hill, the oldest of the three brothers. "It will be good to get out and interact with the local population and do anything we can to help the Afghanistan police force out."
During his deployment to Iraq in 2003, Matthew met Mark, who later became his stepfather.
"He is a very good guy, and we all look up to him a lot. He has been in the military over 25 years and done great things," said Matthew. Not only do we respect him as a stepfather, but he is a great mentor to me and my brothers."
For the younger two brothers, this will be their first deployment overseas. Timothy, who has been in the military for four years, knew he wanted to join the military after the tragic events of 9/11. He is looking forward to the experience this deployment will bring and is proud to be deploying with his family.
Anthony, the youngest of the three, joined the Indiana National Guard one year ago. He said Matthew had been recruiting him for several years prior when he finally decided to take advantage of the great educational benefits the National Guard offers. He said he is also very excited about the deployment.
"It's going to be an interesting experience," said Anthony. "We all get along really well and although we didn't deploy with Matthew the first time, we still went through it with him. Now, it is time to try a deployment from the other side."
While all three brothers are excited about their deployment, they know it will be stressful at times.
"With our unit being all infantrymen, our mission is going to be a learning experience everyday," said Matthew.
The Observer/Controller Trainers gave them a great deal of advice and their unit has done what is necessary to get qualified for the police mentor training mission, he added.
Even though the mission will be an adjustment for Matthew, he'll be making the adjustments with his brothers.
"As the older brother, I want to be there watchful eye through it all and it may not always happen that way," said Matthew.
The brothers will not endure the stress of deployment alone; their mother, who will be without her husband and three sons will have to adjust too.
"She is a strong woman and has been very supportive of our military careers," said Matthew. "I think she finds relief in the fact we are all deploying together."
All the Hill brothers joined the military at different times and for different reasons, but they all love what they do and are ready for this next stage in their lives.
| Date Taken: | 08.05.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 08.05.2009 13:18 |
| Story ID: | 37180 |
| Location: | CAMP SHELBY, US |
| Web Views: | 414 |
| Downloads: | 338 |
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