DJIBOUTI – When it was introduced that the Tennessee Nationwide Guard’s 268th Army Police Firm, headquartered in Millington, had been deploying to the Horn of Africa for a 12 months beginning in January 2022, Troopers from throughout Tennessee eagerly volunteered to serve abroad with the 80-member firm. Amongst these many volunteers had been two siblings from Humboldt, Specialists Jacob and Mahala Perry.
Graduates of Alamo’s Crocket County Excessive College, Jacob and Mahala noticed the mission to the Horn of Africa as an opportunity to assist others.
“I noticed this as a chance to actually do some good,” mentioned Mahala. “And I needed to be part of it.”
So within the Fall of 2021, Jacob and Mahala requested to deploy with the Millington unit.
“I used to be the primary to volunteer, and after I referred to as my household to allow them to know what I used to be doing, the very first thing my brother mentioned was ‘are you able to get me on that listing?’” mentioned Mahala. “My mother was fearful after I first informed her, as most moms do. However when she discovered my brother was going too, she was much more comfy with the concept of us going collectively.”
On the time, Mahala was a member of the 251st Army Police Firm in Lexington and Jacob was a member of the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment’s 1st Squadron.
“I discovered concerning the doable deployment whereas in Louisiana serving to with hurricane harm with the Nationwide Guard,” mentioned Mahala. “I knew deployments to Africa had been unusual, so I used to be like hey, why not! This may be my first abroad deployment and I used to be very excited to go particularly realizing that my brother was with me.”
In late Fall, the Perry’s had been chosen for the 268th’s mission. After becoming a member of the unit and finishing coaching in Millington, they flew to Fort Bliss, Texas, on Jan. 10, for extra superior coaching. A month later, they departed for Djibouti, Africa, with the 268th.
Jacob and Mahala are presently serving in Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, as a part of Mixed Joint Job Pressure – Horn of Africa. Together with 80 different Tennesseans, their predominant duty is to safe and defend the Chabelley Airfield. In addition they oversee contractors whereas aiding the duty drive to advertise safety and dissuade battle.
“Having my brother right here with me half-way the world over makes being gone quite a bit simpler,” mentioned Mahala. “He’s a part of residence. With this being my first deployment, I wouldn’t have it every other means than to get to share a few of these experiences with him. Particularly since he’s the rationale I joined within the first place. Household is essential to me.”
Jacob is a fight medic who joined the Tennessee Nationwide Guard proper after graduating highschool in 2016. Throughout the deployment he’s not solely accountable for the bodily well-being of the Troopers in his unit, but in addition servicemembers in items just like the 1-183th Cavalry, Air Pressure personnel, and contractors engaged on the airfield.
“I’ve at all times wished to affix the navy,” mentioned Jacob. “My household helped me resolve on the Tennessee Nationwide Guard, and it was an important match. I plan to grow to be an Army flight medic and hopefully do an analogous job in my civilian profession.”
That is his second deployment. In 2018 he deployed to Ukraine with the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment as part of a Joint Multinational Coaching Group, which strengthened and improved the defensive expertise of Ukrainian Armed Forces.
“Being deployed with my sister virtually seems like I by no means left residence,” mentioned Jacob. “I don’t get to see her as a lot as you’ll suppose, however we make time to go to throughout meals and at firm capabilities.”
Sadly, Jacob and Mahala usually work at completely different occasions, in order that they don’t get to see one another as a lot as they like.
“It’s usually arduous to catch him,” mentioned Mahala. “However when our mother sends mail with simply one in all our names, we make time to see one another. With Jacob being a medic, he likes to make rounds at every publish to ensure everyone seems to be doing properly, and I get to see him then. I additionally see him in line for meals and attempt to eat collectively at any time when doable.”
Mahala is a navy policeman, and that is her first deployment with the Nationwide Guard. She graduated highschool in 2018 the place she was a aggressive cheerleader who carried out for soccer and basketball video games.
Enlisting within the Nationwide Guard after finishing a semester of school, she wished to make use of the Guard’s instructional advantages to assist pay for college.
“My brother was on his first deployment and I knew all the advantages he had gotten via the Nationwide Guard,” mentioned Mahala. “It seemed like an important choice. Our mom additionally raised us each with a way of patriotism, so it was solely pure for my brother to wish to serve his nation and I finally felt the identical means.”
Mahala is presently a full-time scholar with the College of Tennessee at Martin. Learning Forensic Science with a minor in Psychology, she hopes to get a job with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation after graduating.
“My specialty as a navy policeman is what helped me select a level within the Felony Justice subject,” mentioned Mahala. “Earlier than I made a decision on this profession subject, I used to be learning to grow to be a doctor’s assistant. I assumed it was what I wished to do with my life, however after going via coaching with the Guard, I knew what I actually wished to do.”
Mahala plans to serve for no less than 20 years and retire from the Guard. “We now have a number of household mates that served, both right through to retirement or simply via their first contract,” she mentioned. “All of them gave the identical recommendation to retire with the Guard. Proper now, I like being a navy policeman, however there are different choices on the market that I could look into.”
Over the previous couple of months being deployed with the 268th, Mahala says she has grown personally and professionally. “This chance has allowed me to step up and improve my management expertise,” mentioned Mahala. “My job right here requires me to temporary a number of high-ranking members of the navy in all branches of service, which helps my public talking in addition to my confidence.”
For the final 5 months, Jacob and Mahala have been working arduous in Djibouti and are wanting ahead to coming residence to Tennessee this December.
“That is the most effective job I’ve ever had,” mentioned Jacob. “And the Guard is the best choice I’ve ever made.”
Specialists Jacob and Mahala Perry, from Humboldt, are presently deployed to the Horn of Africa and stationed at Chabelley Airfield, Djibouti, with the Tennessee Nationwide Guard’s 268th Army Police Firm. The brother and sister staff are competing a year-long deployment and are scheduled to return to the US in December 2022. (submitted picture)
