Brothers together in basic training, tech school

Published Jan. 19, 2010
By Senior Airman Kimberly Moore
81st TRW Public Affiars

KEESLER AFB, Miss. -- The Air Force family recently acquired a pair of brothers whose journey thus far has been nothing like what they expected.

While growing up, 22-year-old Airman 1st Class James Nichols wanted to join the military but after visiting with a recruiter from his first choice, the Navy, he decided the Navy lifestyle was not for him. He instead chose to go to college and work toward a degree in sports medicine.

Meanwhile, his big brother, 25-year-old Airman 1st Class Lawrence Nichols, worked construction as a general contractor with their family.

"Family is very important to us," he explained.

So when the economy started to go bad and the school James was attending closed, Lawrence supported his brother and visited the Air Force recruiting office with him.

"I was shocked how much the Air Force gives you," James said. "After speaking with the recruiter we realized the Air Force lifestyle was perfect for us."

Although there are programs available such as the Buddy Deal, where buddies who join together may be stationed together, the Nichols brother didn't take advantage of these.

"We both just joined as open electronics," Lawrence said. "We happened to leave for basic at the same time and we, along with five others, arrived at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, without our paperwork from our hometown (military enlistment processing station..)"

The seven spent the first three days of basic training awaiting paperwork. Once it arrived they were all put into the same flight.

The brothers soon learned that they were at an advantage having their sibling with them on their journey.

"Basic was pretty easy having a wingman; it was a constant motivation to graduate together," James said.As graduation approached, Lawrence and James eagerly awaited their assignments.

"One day before basic training graduation, we found out both of us were going into the ground radio apprentice course and would both be going to Keesler for training," Lawrence said.

Once at Keesler the brothers took an active role, joining the Airmen's Council and volunteering for various activities together, such as painting the in-processing room for which they were coined by their squadron commander, Lt. Col. Daniel Gottrich.

"The IP briefing room is the first thing you see when you get here and it was dark and gloomy so we hung curtains, painted the walls and gave it a 'Dark Knights,' castle effect," James said.

Getting out and volunteering not only helped pass time but it also helped the Nichols brothers to meet people.

"We're not nervous to talk to people but by having someone you already know there with you does make it a lot easier," James said. "We quickly became well-known and I became the Airmen's Council president my third week here."

So the pair of brother who never intended to do anything more than join together have been in the same flight in basic training, were randomly placed into the same career field, and are now in technical training together.

"It's pretty cool how it has worked out," James said.

"It's been one heck of a ride," Lawrence added.

But the ride is almost over -- the brothers recently received their orders and Lawrence is going to McGuire AFB, N.J., and James is headed to Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.

"The 338th has been really good to both of us; better than what I thought it would be," James said.

Lawrence said, "At 25 I thought I knew a lot, but I've learned so much from the instructors and (military training leaders) -- the people here are great. I've made better friends in the two months here than I have my whole life."

"I'm thankful for how everything has turned out, I'm getting to do what I truly wanted to do as a kid and I'm still working toward my education only on a more accelerated route," James explained. "The Air Force is providing me with so many things in my pocket that can be ammo for whatever I want to do in the future."