MONTGOMERY, Ala. - We all know it takes a special kind of person to devote their life in a promise to serve their country. It is not very rare that siblings decide to make this journey, but what is rare is when triplets raise their right hand and take the Oath of Enlistment at the same time. Joe, Frank and Tim Bellush, high school juniors, made this commitment together Dec. 14, 2012, one week after their 17th birthday. These three brothers are actually part of a set of fraternal quadruplets, with their sister Courtney.
Tim is a junior at Lyman Ward Military Academy. He spoke with local Alabama Army National Guard recruiter Sgt. 1st Class Marion Pruitt about what education benefits the Guard offers young men like himself. Pruitt explained that the Guard will help pay for education expenses, as well as pay him while he is still in high school by attending drill one weekend a month. Because he still has one year of high school left, Tim could “split train” and attend Basic Combat Training during the summer and then Advanced Individual Training, or career training, the summer following graduation.
Tim took this information home and explained to his family what opportunities the Guard would give him. Joe and Frank, juniors at John Carroll Catholic High School in Birmingham, were both intrigued by the benefits their brother could obtain as well as the opportunity to travel and serve their country. They promptly arranged a meeting with Pruitt to find out how they too could reap the benefits of enlisting into the National Guard.
“When Tim told us what the Guard would do for him we said we want that too,” said Frank. “I want to be a doctor, and the Guard will help me pay for college to get my medical degree as well as give me some combat medical training.”
The three brothers scored 93, 94 and 95 out of a possible 99 on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). This is a test that measures developed abilities and helps predict future academic and occupational success in the military. This meant they could choose to enter just about any military job field they wanted. Tim expressed an interest in law enforcement, so he elected to join the Military Police Corps. Frank chose the medical field, and Joe chose the Infantry.
“I want to challenge myself,” said Joe. “I want to get out there where it’s rough, dirty and difficult. I want to do the tough job.” He explained how so many people his age have not established plans for the future. “A lot of them are just sitting around doing nothing,” he said. “This is how I can get out of here and do something great with my life.”
Even though these siblings have been together their whole lives, they are clearly individuals and are expressing their individuality even more through the military. “They have always been together,” said their father, former Marine, Jamie Bellush. “This is important to them to develop their own special identity. This will help them gain discipline, teamwork, and self esteem by making them feel part of something bigger.”
Pruitt devotes his time to help young people like Tim, Frank, and Joe find direction for their lives with the National Guard. “It’s a great opportunity for young people to be able to join while they’re still in high school and start reaping the benefits now,” Pruitt said. “These young men will have help paying for college, as well as receive the training and pride the military offers.”
This summer, Frank and Joe will be attending Basic Combat Training in Fort Benning, Ga., and Tim will train at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. They will return home to finish their senior year in high school, and, following their graduation in 2014, they will begin their Advanced Individual Training and the rest of their military careers.