Brothers bond in Iraq

Photo By Staff Sgt. Cory Grogan | Staff Sgt. Andrew Stocker and Spc. Jonathan Stocker of West Linn, Oregon, are brothers serving in Iraq with the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team who say being deployed together has strengthened their bond.  

AL ASAD, IRAQ

10.14.2009

Story by Spc. Cory Grogan 

41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team

AL ASAD, Iraq — Staff Sgt. Andrew Stocker and Spc. Janathan Stocker of West Linn, Ore., are brothers serving in Iraq from the Oregon National Guard's 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

The brothers are proud to be serving together and have used their military service along with this year's deployment as a means to strengthen their bond.

Jonathan, who is Andrew's younger brother, said, "Seeing my brother live the Army values before I joined was motivating because those are the same values I wanted in my life."

This is Andrew's second deployment and Jonathan said he remembers his brother's first deployment.

"It was pretty scary, we didn't talk for a while and I wished we had spent more time together."

During Andrew's first deployment in 2005, he said he experienced a lot of difficult situations including heavy combat and not knowing many people in his unit at the beginning of the deployment.

Andrew remembers when Jonathan told him he wanted to join the National Guard.

"I invited him to come do a live fire excercise with us. I said 'Hey come fire a cannon; you can't do this as a civilian!' As we were coming home he said, 'I'm thinking I want to join.' I pulled the car over on I-5 and said 'I don't think that is a good idea."

However, after that, Andrew supported his brother's decision and asked to have him brought over to his unit to be in his squad when Jonathon graduated from basic training.

Jonathan accepted and was asked by the commander if he was sure that he wanted to be a private under his brother's command.

His response was "I've been a private for Sgt. Stocker for 21 years, it will be fine."

Andrew said, "We've proved we can work together back in the rear, and here. I think I expect even more of him because I know what he is capable of."

Andrew re-enlisted to come on the deployment with his brother, and said, "I feel better being here with him. I wasn't going to let him come over here by himself."

Jonathan said he likes being in the guard because he has seen a lot of self improvement and is growing as a person every day.

"Some things are different, I call him Spc. Stocker on the phone, but it is great because we are closer now and get to see each other more often," Andrew said.

Both brothers agree it is nice to have family around on a deployment because it doesn't seem like they are so far from home.

• Date Taken: 10.14.2009
• Date Posted: 10.14.2009 06:27
• Story ID: 40083
• Location: AL ASAD, IQ