Husband and Wife Army Couple Take Joint Commands in Iraq

U.S. Army Captains Vanessa and Brandon Bowman of the 37th Engineer Battalion (Airborne)-Joint Task Force Eagle (Ft. Bragg) took command of separate companies at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, according to a U.S. Army report on DVIDS.

"This is our third deployment at the same time, but the first time that we are able to be together," Brandon stated. Vanessa added that this deployment "is a unique experience to spend time living together, really one of the few times we have done so since our marriage in 2004. Professionally, it is nice to have Brandon's support during company command, especially as he has spent so much time in this part of the country."

Brandon has three previous deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom while his wife, Vanessa, has one previous Operation Iraqi Freedom tour and one previous Operation Enduring Freedom tour in Afghanistan.

While dual couples are somewhat common in the military, married couples taking command at the same time in a combat zone are definitely a rare occurrence. According to the Married Army Couples Program, MACP, there are more than 20,000 dual military couples currently serving in the U.S. Army. Most of these couples enjoy joint domicile assignments. However, they may serve in different units at the same military base and be on totally different deployment timelines.

MACP is an official Army program that allows married Army couples to request joint assignments together. While the Army fully considers such requests, due to requirements and military specialties there is no guarantee that couples will be stationed together. According to the MACP website, "Married Army couples must be prepared to meet their military obligations regardless of assignment. Favorable consideration for a married Army couple assignment depends on valid requirements for the military skills and grades of both members in one area, career progression of both members not being adversely affected, and the married Army couple is otherwise eligible for the assignment."

Active duty military couples face unique challenges with constant rotations in support of Iraq and Afghanistan. To the Bowman's, being together is what counts and they seem thrilled at the idea of commanding companies together in the same unit despite being in a combat zone.

Both Bowman's have a history with the 20th Engineer Brigade, the higher headquarters of 37th Engineer Battalion and both are senior rated Jumpmasters, in keeping with the Airborne Leader tradition. The term "airborne" delineates the qualification of a soldier as a military parachutist, or paratrooper, and a Jumpmaster delineates a senior jumper that supervises the jumping of other paratroopers.

Sources:

DVIDS "Husband and Wife Take Command As Soldiers Bid Farewell to Outgoing Officers" U.S. Army 1^st Lt. Meghan Keefe

http://www.hqda.army.mil/MPSC/married_army_couples_program.htm