CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Serving in the Army can be a long, difficult road. For many, the best way to survive is to embrace friends and coworkers along the way.

Fellow Soldiers often become brothers. For two Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers however, they are brothers in the literal sense.

Such is the case for Sgt. Donnell Macklin and Capt. Lionel Macklin, who were happily reunited Nov. 7 at Camp Taji to commemorate Donnell’s commitment to remain a part of the Army Team.

Donnell serves as a forward signal support noncommissioned officer with Company B, 52nd Infantry Regiment “Hammer,” 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team “Warrior,” 25th Infantry Division, which is based out of Hawaii. Lionel, his older brother, serves as a platoon leader with the 4th Infantry Division’s Company A, 3rd Battalion, 4th Aviation Squadron, Combat Aviation Brigade, which is based out of Fort Hood, Texas.

The two are natives of Ozark, Ala., and are intimately aware of the bonds that bring “Brothers in Arms” together. For the two of them, they were able to take advantage of the unique opportunity for the older brother to officially reenlist his younger brother as he renews his commitment to his other Brothers in Arms.

“For me, it was an obvious choice as to who was going to swear me in,” said Donnell. “I haven’t seen my brother in four years, and for this opportunity to present itself, there was no other way I would have it done.”

Lionel shared his brother’s pride and enthusiasm and said he was honored for the opportunity to not only attend his brother’s life-making decision but to actually conduct the ceremony itself.

“This is a great honor for me, for our Family, for him to let me do his re-enlistment,” he said.

Both brothers will continue to serve in their respective units for the duration of the deployment, and both said they hope to visit home during their block leaves to share their experiences with the rest of their Family.