FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq — A brother-sister team of staff sergeants rededicated their commitment to the Army by sharing their oaths of re-enlistment here July 29.
Staff Sgt. Darcy Snyder, a signal intelligence analyst with Company A, 2-3 Brigade Troop Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, re-enlisted for four years. Her brother, Staff Sgt. Matthew Snyder, a combat engineer with 38th Engineer Company, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, signed on for six more years.
In 1999, the siblings, natives of Allenwood, Pa., joined the Army two weeks apart.
“The recruiter came to talk with him first, then he came to me,” Darcy Snyder said.
While they may not have joined at exactly the same time, Darcy said she saw an opportunity for them to re-enlist together.
“She called me and said she was ready to re-enlist and was wondering if I was going to as well,” Matthew said. After reviewing his options and waiting a few weeks for his re-enlistment window to open, Matthew decided to jump on board.
The siblings said it was not difficult to convince either of their chains of command to agree to a joint re-enlistment ceremony.
“Re-enlistments are always special, but to do it with someone close is really important,” Capt. Jeff Prokopowicz, commander, Company A, said. “How often do you get to see a close sibling in Iraq? It is a special moment to treasure for all it is worth.”
Prokopowicz and Matthew’s commander, Capt. Adam Harless, worked hard to coordinate the event.
“It is a real compliment to my chain of command,” Harless said, praising his superiors, who allowed the special event despite the operational tempo of his company, which conducts route clearance.
“This was largely due to the proactive nature of Darcy,” Prokopowicz said. “She was motivated to get this going. I just accommodated.”
Much of the motivation came from each sibling's desire to see the other. This was the first time the siblings met while deployed in Iraq, Matthew Snyder said.
Seeing each other did a lot to boost the siblings’ morale, they agreed.
“I worry about him, and seeing him helped,” Darcy Snyder said.
While the reunion only lasted a day, it was a memory the two will share for a lifetime.
Staff Sgt. Darcy Snyder, a signal intelligence analyst with Company A, 2-3 Brigade Troop Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, re-enlisted for four years. Her brother, Staff Sgt. Matthew Snyder, a combat engineer with 38th Engineer Company, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, signed on for six more years.
In 1999, the siblings, natives of Allenwood, Pa., joined the Army two weeks apart.
“The recruiter came to talk with him first, then he came to me,” Darcy Snyder said.
While they may not have joined at exactly the same time, Darcy said she saw an opportunity for them to re-enlist together.
“She called me and said she was ready to re-enlist and was wondering if I was going to as well,” Matthew said. After reviewing his options and waiting a few weeks for his re-enlistment window to open, Matthew decided to jump on board.
The siblings said it was not difficult to convince either of their chains of command to agree to a joint re-enlistment ceremony.
“Re-enlistments are always special, but to do it with someone close is really important,” Capt. Jeff Prokopowicz, commander, Company A, said. “How often do you get to see a close sibling in Iraq? It is a special moment to treasure for all it is worth.”
Prokopowicz and Matthew’s commander, Capt. Adam Harless, worked hard to coordinate the event.
“It is a real compliment to my chain of command,” Harless said, praising his superiors, who allowed the special event despite the operational tempo of his company, which conducts route clearance.
“This was largely due to the proactive nature of Darcy,” Prokopowicz said. “She was motivated to get this going. I just accommodated.”
Much of the motivation came from each sibling's desire to see the other. This was the first time the siblings met while deployed in Iraq, Matthew Snyder said.
Seeing each other did a lot to boost the siblings’ morale, they agreed.
“I worry about him, and seeing him helped,” Darcy Snyder said.
While the reunion only lasted a day, it was a memory the two will share for a lifetime.