U.S. Army Spcs. Elizabeth and Juanita Rodriguez are sharing more than the same laugh, the same job, and the same last name these days. They are also sharing an experience that has brought them closer as sisters; they are both stationed at Camp Chapman, Afghanistan, during their deployment for Operation Enduring Freedom VI. (U.S. Army photo)
November 01, 2005
CAMP CHAPMAN, Afghanistan -- U.S. Army Spcs. Elizabeth and Juanita Rodriguez are sharing more than the same laugh, the same job, and the same last name these days. They are also sharing an experience that has brought them closer as sisters; they are both stationed at Camp Chapman, Afghanistan, during their deployment for Operation Enduring Freedom VI.
The Rodriguez’s, both National Guard automated logistics specialists with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 142nd Mechanized Infantry Unit out of Lubbock, Texas, never dreamed that they would be deployed together.
"We got mobilized together, we trained for our deployment together, and we left home together...," said Juanita, 24.
"...But I was supposed to go to Iraq," said Elizabeth, 20, finishing her sister’s sentence.
That was the first of several expected separations that never happened for the sisters.
Another came when they arrived at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, where they were told that they would be going to separate bases here. They were both surprised to see their names on the same list to go to Chapman.
"We just think it’s so cool that we’re together because we know that we’re Ok.," said Elizabeth.
"Yeah, we’re getting to share the same experiences," added Juanita. "It’s easier on our parents too because they know that we’re together and can look out after each other."
And look out after each other they do. They have been through several rocket attacks at Chapman and are usually in the same bunker together, but on one occasion, the sisters were separated.
"Elizabeth turned to me during a lull in the rockets and said, ‘Can I go check on my sister?’" said Master Sgt. Rudolfo Martinez, the Civil Affairs Team – B noncommissioned officer in charge. "That really impressed me. It’s just an example of the love these sisters have for each other."
The sisters admit that they’ve gotten to spend more time together since they’ve been deployed than they’ve spent together in years.
"At home, we don’t really hang out or see each other unless we go to our mom’s house at the same time," said Juanita. "We haven’t lived together for six years. Now we get to have lunch and dinner together every day that we’re not on the same guard shift. When we are on the same shift, we have to take turns getting lunch."
Juanita, who had dreamed of being in the military since she was a small girl, was the first of the sisters to join. She signed up in 1999.
In 2001, when Elizabeth was a junior in high school, she called Juanita to ask her opinion on if she should also join the military.
"It was Juanita who convinced me to get the same job as her," said Elizabeth. "I did a split-option enlistment because I was still in high school, so I went to basic training the summer between my junior and senior years and went to (Advanced Individual Training) after graduation."
The Rodriguez’s are typical siblings. They share many things in common, but have their own individual personalities.
"We’re a lot alike, but we’re so different at the same time," said Juanita.
"We’re both outspoken, but Juanita’s more serious and responsible," said Elizabeth.
"At home, I help to make sure she’s squared away for drill," said Juanita.
"Yeah, she plays ‘big sister’ a lot," said Elizabeth, laughing and elbowing Juanita.
In the evenings after work, the sisters like to do their own things. Juanita likes to hang out with some of the other soldiers and play volleyball while Elizabeth prefers curling up to a good movie or watching her sister play volleyball from the sidelines.
Like most siblings, they have their quarrels too.
"Even though we’re deployed, we still have our sibling spats," said Juanita.
"We’ll be cussing each other out then say, ‘OK, you want to go to lunch?’" said Elizabeth.
The sisters left two younger sisters, Cynthia, 11, and Alexa, 2, and their parents Ricardo and Maria behind in Plains, Texas. They are eagerly waiting to all be together again.
By Spc. Laura E. Griffin - Task Force Devil Public Affairs
