CFB GAGETOWN, New Brunswick — Twin brothers Noel and Neil Gibbons are identical in every way – except appearance. "We're in the same unit, same course, same section, and the same room," said Noel in mid-July as the fraternal twins were finishing their Soldier Qualification (SQ) course. "We both spent six years in Cadets before joining the Army Reserve together last November."
The similarities don't end there.
The 19-year-olds from St. Mary's live together in St. John's, attend the same college, and travel together to school and unit training.
Members of 56 Field Engineer Squadron, the Gibbons brothers are both taking highly specialized courses at the College of the North Atlantic. Noel is studying biomedical engineering and Neil is studying geomatics engineering.
The twins were among 1500 students trained this year through the Area Rank and Trades School (ARTS), part of Land Force Atlantic Area Training Centre (LFAA TC).
ARTS is the largest individual training activity that LFAA undertakes each year, providing a range of courses that give soldiers the skills they need to succeed at their home units and on operations.
"I've really enjoyed the training," said Neil. "We've learned a great deal in a short period of time. The instructors are really helpful and knowledgeable."
Being together on course helped make things a bit easier, he said. "We've encouraged and helped each other a lot."
For example, on long marches one brother might take a heavier load to lighten the trip for the other. "If I was maybe struggling to carry the C6 (medium machine gun), Neil would take it over," said Noel. "And I did similar things to help him."
Training side-by-side benefited other family members, too.
"Our mom is really happy that we're together this summer," said Neil. "This way she knew we wouldn't get too homesick."
Article by Lieutenant Scott Costen Photo by Sergeant Jack Walsh
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