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Sgt. Frank Frenette was greeted by a familiar face one night
during a 24-hour shift at the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment's (The Old
Guard), regimental indoctrination program [RIP] room on Joint Base
Myer-Henderson Hall, Va.
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Sgt. Rikki Reed, instructor, Regimental Indoctrination Program,
Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment
(The Old Guard), fastens a buff strap on Spc. James Frenette, supply
specialist, Delta Company, 3rd U.S. Inf. Regt. (The Old Guard),
during a RIP graduation, Feb. 6, 2013 on Joint Base Myer-Henderson
Hall, Va. RIP, a four-week training program, teaches new Old Guard
recruits the high uniform, rifle manual and marching standards of
The Old Guard. James' brother, Sgt. Frank Frenette, also serves as a
RIP instructor and assisted in his brother's training. (U.S. Army
photo by Sgt. Luisito Brooks)
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His younger brother, Spc. James Frenette, who was
carrying bags of equipment and uniforms over his shoulders,
was in town. He wasn't there for a social visit, however. He
was reporting for duty.
“I applied to come to The
Old Guard because it is such an amazing unit,” said James,
supply specialist, Delta Company, 3d U.S. Inf. Regt. (The
Old Guard). “I was so excited when I was accepted. I knew
that it would also get me closer to my brother, which was
really nice as well. I thought it was cool that my brother
would teach me how to be ‘Old Guard.'”
The Old
Guard's primary mission is to conduct funerals for our
nation's heroes in Arlington National Cemetery, Va.
To ensure Soldiers carry out this solemn mission with the
utmost professionalism, they go through RIP, a four-week
training program which teaches new Old Guard recruits the
high uniform, rifle manual and marching standards of The Old
Guard.
Frank, a RIP instructor who has been training
new soldiers for more than a year, said it was a unique
opportunity to train someone so close to him.
“This
unit means so much to me, so having my brother come here
means a lot,” said Frank. “We had always been close when we
were growing up. It seems like we can't stay apart from each
other for very long.”
During their childhood, the
two brothers were inseparable. They enjoyed everything from
competitive sports to video games with one another.
“We were just two years apart, so we did almost everything
together. When we were in high school, I tried to really
look after him,” said Frank. “I made sure that I shared with
him everything that I knew.”
After high school, the
two went their separate ways to begin their adult lives.
Frank joined the Army, and James went on to college.
However, James found himself out of work with with no way to
support his family shortly after graduating.
“I had
no idea what I was going to do,” said James. “I was talking
to my brother one day and he suggested that I consider the
military.”
James let that conversation sink in for a
while. A few months went by before he decided to raise his
right hand to serve his country.
“Joining was a
great decision. I couldn't have been happier that I finally
listened to my brother,” James said jokingly. “I really
think it is so interesting now that we are together again. I
have learned so many things about the Army and this unit
from my brother. It is like back when we were younger.”
The Frenette brothers ensured their relationship would
not interfere with the mission at hand.
“When the
uniform is on he is respectful just like anybody else, but
when we are off work things go back to normal for us,” said
Frank. “I was able to train with him everyday just like the
other soldiers, and I didn't let him cut any corners during
the training.”
Frank said he never showed his brother
favoritism. Instead he was a little harder on him because of
their relationship.
“My brother didn't hesitate to
call me out occasionally as his demonstrator or if I was
jacked up,” said James. “I kept hearing my name being
called, and I would respond, 'Yes, sergeant.'"
At the
end of each week during RIP the soldiers are tested and
graded on what they learned.
James admitted the
testing on the rifle manual was the most difficult, but he
was able to get some well needed training while off duty by
his big brother.
“I called him when I had any
questions about something we learned,” said James. “On the
weekend I would visit him, and he would help me work on
movements and getting my timing down.”
Frank said it was
important to make sure his sibling and every Soldier was
trained to the standard.
“It's crucial that my
brother and all these soldiers are trained and graduate on
time. They each have a particular job that will help The Old
Guard carry out its mission,” said Frank. “My job is to make
sure this unit has trained soldiers.”
Frank continued
by saying how proud he was of the hard work and
accomplishments of his younger brother.
“I know he
was surprised when he saw all that goes into being an Old
Guard soldier, but it was great to see him go through it and
come out better,” said Frank. “I am a proud brother.”
Their relationship did not change throughout the course
of the RIP program.
“My brother has helped me learn
the standards of this great unit, and I appreciate him for
that,” said James. “What he did and continues to do for me
is something that I will always be thankful for.”
By Army Sgt. Luisito Brooks
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2013
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