Twins Reunite in Afghanistan

By Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jerrick J. Griffin
1st Marine Logistics Group

June 21, 2010 - Two Marine corporals who are twin brother and sister are serving in Afghanistan, a long way from their hometown of Niagara Falls, N.Y. Cpls. Jordan and Jade Myles, 20, reunited after being apart for almost two years. The siblings are deployed to Afghanistan in support of the International Security Assistance Force. Jade is on Camp Leatherneck with Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Marine Logistics Group, that's home-based in Camp Pendleton, Calif. Her brother, Jordan, is at nearby Forward Operating Base Price with 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st MLG Marine Logistics Group, home-based in Okinawa, Japan.

"It feels great," said Jade of being deployed with her brother. "Since we've been in the Marine Corps, we have never been together. We were together maybe for a month in boot camp, and this is the first time being stationed in the same [area]."

Jade deployed to Afghanistan in March, and Jordan arrived a few weeks later. After he touched down, Jordan sent his sister an e-mail letting her know he had arrived. They met at the morale, welfare and recreation center here, seeing each other for the first in nearly two years.

"I feel motivated, because this is her first time over here and this is my second tour here," said Jordan of their tours to Afghanistan. "I feel privileged to work with my sister despite being in two different units."

Jade is a radio operator and helps to train people to become familiar with communication devices. She also trains Marines in the Marine Corps martial arts program during her spare time. Jordan is a bulk fuel specialist who receives, processes, transfers and dispenses fuel to both aviation and ground elements.

The pair grew up in a big household – they have five brothers and sisters, two of whom also are twins – and Jordan and Jade were nearly inseparable growing up.

"When we were growing up, we were always together," Jade said. "We had a high school class together; we even worked at the same job."

Jordan joined the Marine Corps in August 2007, and Jade followed in his footsteps a month later. Jade is scheduled to redeploy in September, while Jordan will remain in Afghanistan until late December. However, he said, he hopes to extend his tour in Afghanistan.

Since they work on separate camps, the siblings can't physically see each other all the time, but they do keep in touch via e-mail.

"Keeping [in] contact with my twin sister helps with my morale," Jordan said. "Just knowing I have family so close makes me an even better Marine."