Deployed siblings reunite halfway around the world

While military members are often familiar with leaving their family behind for an extended amount of time, two brothers found themselves closer than they had been in 20 years during their recent deployment to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. U.S. Navy Capt. Christopher Greer, staff judge advocate for Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, and Chief Hospital Corpsman (HMC) Tim Greer, medical department head for Coastal Riverine Squadron 1-Forward, reunited halfway around the world for nearly eight months during their overlapping deployments.


“Regardless of how busy we get, we try at the very least to go to church together and eat lunch with each other every Sunday.”
By Tech. Sgt. Ashley Nicole Taylor CJTF-HOA Mar 18, 2020
View Gallery
fallback
Gallery contains 1 image

While military members are often familiar with leaving their family behind for an extended amount of time, two brothers found themselves closer than they had been in 20 years during their recent deployment to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti.

U.S. Navy Capt. Christopher Greer, staff judge advocate for Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, and Chief Hospital Corpsman (HMC) Tim Greer, medical department head for Coastal Riverine Squadron 1-Forward, reunited halfway around the world for nearly eight months during their overlapping deployments.

“Aside from holidays and special occasions, we really don’t get the chance to see each other often because we live drastically different lives,” said HMC Greer.

Capt. Greer serves in the active component and deployed for one year, while HMC Greer, who deployed with his Reserve unit out of San Diego, spent nine months in East Africa. Interestingly, Capt. Greer actually has a tie to HMC Greer’s unit in San Diego, as he worked for the unit early in his career.

“Back when I was a young lieutenant, I was part of the same unit Tim is in; it was just named something different back then,” said Capt. Greer. “Out here I’ve been able to assist Tim when he’s had questions about some legal advice, and he’s been able to get my office out on the boats with him.”

Although the Greer brothers lead very separate and busy work lives, they took advantage of the time they could spend together when the opportunity presented itself.

“I’d say our interests are more similar now than when we were younger,” said Capt. Greer. “Regardless of how busy we get, we try at the very least to go to church together and eat lunch with each other every Sunday.”

While HMC Greer redeployed in mid-February, both brothers were glad they could see each other during their time at Camp Lemonnier.

“People need to utilize their resources while they’re deployed,” said HMC Greer. “The chances of us getting deployed together were fairly low. While I’m sure we would have made it through the deployment regardless, it was nice to have each other to meet up with.”

More in Media Room
CJTF-HOA Completes Largest Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise with Gabonese Defense and Security Forces in Libreville, Gabon
U.S. Army soldiers from the East Africa Response Force participated in a significant Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise (EDRE) in Libreville, Gabon. Led by CJTF-HOA, the exercise involved over 150 personnel and various aircraft, enhancing crisis response readiness and military interoperability with Gabonese forces. The event validated U.S. crisis response capabilities, strengthened regional alliances, and fostered multinational collaboration, showcasing the U.S.'s commitment to regional stability, capacity building, and addressing global security challenges.
Read more
AFRICOM Leadership Visits Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti
In a demonstration of U.S. commitment to regional stability and security, key leaders from U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) visited Camp Lemonnier to engage with U.S. troops deployed in Africa.
Read more
CJTF-HOA Command Senior Enlisted Leader Change of Responsibility
Service members deployed to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) welcomed their new Command Senior Enlisted Leader during a change of responsibility ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Oct. 8, 2024.
Read more
More in Media Room
CJTF-HOA Completes Largest Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise with Gabonese Defense and Security Forces in Libreville, Gabon
U.S. Army soldiers from the East Africa Response Force participated in a significant Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise (EDRE) in Libreville, Gabon. Led by CJTF-HOA, the exercise involved over 150 personnel and various aircraft, enhancing crisis response readiness and military interoperability with Gabonese forces. The event validated U.S. crisis response capabilities, strengthened regional alliances, and fostered multinational collaboration, showcasing the U.S.'s commitment to regional stability, capacity building, and addressing global security challenges.
Read more
AFRICOM Leadership Visits Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti
In a demonstration of U.S. commitment to regional stability and security, key leaders from U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) visited Camp Lemonnier to engage with U.S. troops deployed in Africa.
Read more
CJTF-HOA Command Senior Enlisted Leader Change of Responsibility
Service members deployed to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) welcomed their new Command Senior Enlisted Leader during a change of responsibility ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Oct. 8, 2024.
Read more
More in Media Room
CJTF-HOA Completes Largest Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise with Gabonese Defense and Security Forces in Libreville, Gabon
U.S. Army soldiers from the East Africa Response Force participated in a significant Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise (EDRE) in Libreville, Gabon. Led by CJTF-HOA, the exercise involved over 150 personnel and various aircraft, enhancing crisis response readiness and military interoperability with Gabonese forces. The event validated U.S. crisis response capabilities, strengthened regional alliances, and fostered multinational collaboration, showcasing the U.S.'s commitment to regional stability, capacity building, and addressing global security challenges.
Read more
AFRICOM Leadership Visits Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti
In a demonstration of U.S. commitment to regional stability and security, key leaders from U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) visited Camp Lemonnier to engage with U.S. troops deployed in Africa.
Read more
CJTF-HOA Command Senior Enlisted Leader Change of Responsibility
Service members deployed to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) welcomed their new Command Senior Enlisted Leader during a change of responsibility ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Oct. 8, 2024.
Read more