FORWARD OPERATING BASE APACHE, Afghanistan - Deployed Soldiers endure long days, short nights of sleep and months of separation from friends and loved ones. But for one Soldier stationed here, home is just one building away.
For Spc. Kyle Kinsman, an intelligence analyst assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Armor Brigade Combat Team, Third Infantry Division, Combined Task Force Raider a piece of home is here. Kinsman is not just surrounded by his brothers-in-arms, but by a bonafide relative. Spc. Kinsman's stepbrother is stationed here as a Department of Defense civilian, counter improvised explosive devise analyst assigned to CTF-R, and works just one building away from him.
James Green, a former Army Staff Sgt. and intelligence analyst, is Spc. Kinsman's older stepbrother. Mr. Green has been in country here for a total of 23 months, making him an almost permanent fixture in Afghanistan. He was stationed in Panjwai until December 2012, when he then transferred to FOB Apache and extended his time here until August, 2013 in order to meet up and serve with his little brother.
"I really wanted to serve with my brother, and this was a great opportunity to do that," said Green. "I extended my time here in Afghanistan to do that."
The stepbrothers are extremely close, as evidenced by the amount of time they work out together in the gym.
"We work out in the gym a lot," said Spc. Kinsman. "We have different workouts and I'm stronger, but don't tell my brother that."
Spc. Kinsman is enthusiastic about having family close to him even outside of the gym.
"It's like having my own support group, friend and buddy here at all times with me," added Spc. Kinsman. "I really am fortunate to have a brother so close. I know a lot of people would love to be in my shoes and I'm so grateful to have James here."
One thing is certain. Spc. Kinsman is not alone because a family member made a selfless choice to remain in a war zone a little longer just to be near him. These two men are a true example of how brothers should act, look and be toward one another, and are the living embodiment of the slogan 'Family Always.'
