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Specialists Elizabeth (left) and Juanita Rodriguez are sisters stationed together at Camp Chapman, Afghanistan.

Specialists 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 O.K.,” 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.”

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