A family that re-enlists together, often stays together

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Anania Tekurio
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
While few can say they have served at a duty station with their sibling, even fewer can say their brother or sister presided over their reenlistment.

Staff Sgt. Christine Green, 28th Logistics Readiness Squadron NCO in charge of inventory, is one of those fortunate few. Her brother, Maj. Nicholas Pedersen, 28th Maintenance Squadron commander, oversaw her re-enlistment at the South Dakota Air and Space Museum in Box Elder, S.D., June 21, 2012.

"I'm very honored to have had the opportunity to re-enlist my sister," Pedersen said. "Re-enlistments and retirements, I feel, are the more impactful ceremonies we administer in the military."

Pedersen arrived at Ellsworth in July 2009, and Green followed suite in February 2010. The two have spent the past two years together, and said sharing their military experiences has strengthened their family bond.

"It's really awesome to be here at the same base with my brother, but of course it has its moments," Green chuckled.

When Green's re-enlistment period came up, she said there was no question who she was going to have conduct the re-enlistment ceremony. Her initial enlistment consisted of six years of service. With her re-enlistment ceremony completed, she's on her way to serving four more years in the U.S. Air Force.


Green's re-enlistment will be of even more meaningful as their time together here will soon come to an end. Pedersen will be leaving Ellsworth, July 10, 2012, to take command of the 374th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Yokota Air Base, Japan.

"I've enjoyed my time at Ellsworth and love the area," Pedersen said reflecting on his time at Ellsworth. "It's been nice having the opportunity to be at the same base with my sister."

While the nature of military service most often means that family members serve apart, both will treasure the rare opportunity they had to serve together at Ellsworth and the fond memory of a brother re-enlisting his sister.