Siblings Join Army Together--Brother Overcomes Obstacle to Join

Siblings Nikkia and Brent Sauceda with Sergeant First Class Keith "Buck" Buchanan--Brent lost 46 pounds to join the Army

It’s not every day that siblings join the Army, but it happens. It’s less common for a brother and sister to join together. Even less common is that one of the siblings had to lose 46 pounds to join.

Brother and sister, Brent and Nikkia Sauceda, of Jackson, MO, joined the Army together on October 3, 2008. Nikkia wants money for college. She and Brent have 3 other siblings and 3 step-siblings. She needed to find a way to pay for college. She decided to join the Army Reserve as a 42A, Human Resources Specialist, and take advantage of the Army’s education benefits. Her ultimate goal is to go to Medical School.

Brent’s motive? “I want to serve my country.” He had to lose 46 pounds and 6% body fat to do so. And he did it in less than three months. At 6’, Brent is now a muscular 253 pounds. He lost the weight by “running a lot.” His recruiter, Sergeant First Class Keith “Buck” Buchanan, Cape Girardeau Recruiting Station, admires Brent’s determination. “He was really solid when he came in. It was really hard for him to lose the weight, because he was so solid. He had to work hard at it.” Brent is going to be a 13B, Cannon Crewmember.

Nikkia heads to Basic at Ft. Jackson on October 21, 2008 and then to the Replacement Unit in Marion, IL. Brent heads to Basic at Ft. Sill on October 22, 2008. Sister and brother, serving together and yet apart. Each with their own goals and reason to join. Each reaching their goals through the Army.