Benjamin Brothers of Portland to be Deployed

Brothers Jase and Kyle Benjamin have both followed the call to serve their country. They both joined the United States Marine Corps, and both are being deployed to the Middle East in the very near future.

Elder brother Jase is a 2012 graduate of Portland High School, and enlisted when he was 20 years old. He completed his basic training at Marine Corp Recruiting Depot San Diego, and currently serves as an infantry machine gunner.

Jase says that in his time in the Marine Corps, he has been to Iraq, Kuwait, Jordan, and spent a brief amount of time in Germany. He is currently stationed at Twin Island Palms, CA, and was home recently before being deployed to the Middle East.

When asked why he decided to join the military, Jase said, “I knew I would regret it later if I didn’t.”

As to what she thought when she learned Jase was enlisting, mom Sue Benjamin said she, “would have been surprised if he would have done anything else. It seemed like the next logical thing for him.”

Dad Mic Benjamin said of Jase, “He's a Lance Corporal now and is being promoted to Corporal the 1st of October.”

Younger brother Kyle graduated from Portland High in 2013, and enlisted when he was 17. He also completed his basic training at Marine Corp Recruiting Depot San Diego, and serves as an infantry machine gunner.

In his time in the service, Kyle says he has been to, “Camp Grayling, MI - Ft. Custer, MI - Camp Atterbury, IN – Camp LeJeune, N. Carolina – San Diego, CA - Camp Pendleton, CA – Twenty-Nine Palms, CA – Bridgeport, CA.”

When asked why he decided to join the military, Kyle answered, “I wasn't sure what to major in after high school and I also wanted to test myself and see if I could do it.”

I asked each brother what advice they would give to a young man or woman considering going into the military. Jase replied, “Do your research. Research all the jobs so you know what you want. Be prepared for when you go and talk to a recruiter.” Kyle said, “Whether you choose reserves or active don't do anything other than infantry.”

When asked about his sons enlisting, dad Mic said, “Both boys talked about it since they were young. We have friends through work who have served in the military. The boys got a good education from those guys. They set a good example of what the military represents.” Mic also said that he was proud that the boys made the decision on their own, and of their, “willingness to serve.”

Both brothers will be home together for one day before Jase is deployed. Kyle will be deployed soon afterwards.