Courtesy photo Siblings Army Sgt. Darryl “D.J.” Brake, left, Air Force Staff Sgt. Alexandrea Larson and 2nd Lt. Elizabeth Jovanovich all joined the military between 2003 and 2007. They are joined by Elizabeth’s husband, Master Sgt. Michael Jovanovich. The three siblings are military brats who spent part of their childhood on Fort Bragg.

All servicemembers have brothers and sisters-in-arms, but one Family literally and figuratively have each other in arms.

Siblings Sgt. Darryl “D.J.” Brake of the 82nd Airborne Division and Air Force servicemembers, 2nd Lt. Elizabeth Jovanovich and Staff Sgt. Alexandrea Larson all have answered the nation’s call to service.
“I just couldn’t be prouder of them, (of) what they’re doing,” said their mother, Sheryl Frost. “They have blossomed and become leaders.”

Jovanovich joined the Air Force in 2003. Larson followed in 2004 and Brake joined the Army in 2007, Frost said. The three children grew up as military brats with their father having previously served on Fort Bragg and retired with 25 years of service. Their stepfather, Carl Larson, also served with the 7th Special Forces Group.

Frost’s own father, Lambert, served as a Sailor. He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds suffered at Pearl Harbor during World War II, she said. Watching their Family serve may have influenced the children to join, Frost said.

“My Family has got a big military background and so that definitely influenced me,” said Brake, who is attached as a mortarman to the 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Abn. Div. “I saw my sisters both join the Air Force. I saw how good they were doing and it definitely had an influence on me.”

Brake chose the Army rather than the Air Force because he wanted to be infantry, he said.

Jovanovich took advantage of the Scholarships for Outstanding Airman to ROTC and separated from the military to go to school. In May, she graduated with a degree in business management from Valdosta State University and had Brake and Larson pin on her bars when she was received her commission as a second lieutenant.

Larson works as a knowledge operations manager noncommissioned officer in charge for the 432nd Maintenance Group at Creech Air Force Base, Nev. She said watching Elizabeth’s military success compelled her to join in 2005.

“I was very proud to follow my sister into the Air Force but I knew I had big shoes to fill because, right from the beginning, she was just one of those amazing Airman,” Larson said. “She was just a great role model for me to follow and I really looked up to her (and continue to).”

The military has been kind to the trio.

Brake, who has found his own success, was proud to be called upon to serve in the 3rd United States Infantry Regiment for two and a half years, calling it, “a good experience; something a lot of people don’t get a chance to do.”

The enormity of that mission moved Frost to tears. She said she cried in learning that her son would serve in the Old Guard whose mission is to conduct memorial affairs to honor the fallen.
“I’ve gone to a couple of services that he presided at and it was incredible watching those guys,” Frost said.

Larson graduated from the Airman Leadership School in Las Vegas, at the top of her class. ALS aims to develop Airmen into effective supervisors with a focus on enhanced leadership abilities and effective communication.

The distinction of top graduate earned Larson the John Levitow award. According to research, it is named for Vietnam War veteran and Medal of Honor recipient Sgt. John Levitow and is awarded to the Airman who demonstrates outstanding leadership and scholastic qualities.
Frost said she did not understand the significance of having Larson win the Levitow award, but has since come to grasp its magnitude. She has also been enthused with the Air Force’s focus on education.

“I’m impressed with the Air Force. They’ve been pushing her (Larson) towards continuing her education. They put a big emphasis on education ...”

The two sisters have articulated a benefit not listed on enlistment brochures — they wed fellow servicemembers. Jovanovich is married to Master Sgt. Michael Jovanovich and Larson to Staff Sgt. Jason Richards.

The toughest part about being an Air Force wife is dealing with deployments, but being able to talk about like-minded issues and share the same interests is good, Jovanovich said.

“It is great being married to another military member.  We have a common understanding about our jobs and the military lifestyle,” said Larson. “We are able to support each other through the hard and good times.  Even having the knowledge of the little things really helps us in our day-to-day lives like, one of us can take care of getting our uniforms ready while the other one cooks dinner.”

Yet another aspect Larson likes about being an Airman is being able to contribute to making a difference for America and the opportunities that have come with serving, such as learning and being able to travel to different areas of the world, she said.

Larson said, “I would encourage others to join regardless of what branch because you get more life opportunities and experiences than you could ever imagine,” she said. “You are also doing something great for your country.”

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