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Twin brothers serve together at Basic Military Training, share goal to inspire Airmen

  • Published
  • By Vanessa Adame
  • 37th Training Wing Public Affairs

One look at Master Sgt. Christopher Platt, 321st Training Squadron, and his brother Tech. Sgt. Charles Platt, 320th Training Squadron, may lead some to do a double take. The brothers are identical twins who share more than similar looks; they also both embody an indistinguishable passion – one that they’ve been able to pursue here at the 737th Training Group. 

Even as kids, Chris and Charles knew they wanted a career in law enforcement.  

“Something about it drove me to it when I was very young. I enjoyed helping people and I figured the best way to do it was through law enforcement,” Chris said.   

At 13 years old, the twin brothers joined a police explorer program, gaining early exposure to the world of law enforcement.  

“We volunteered in the community; we would help with special events directing traffic. We worked with the police officers on shift and sit in patrol cars go out and ride along [with police] and just watch what they do on a daily basis,” Chris said. “I just wanted to go out there and make a difference.”  

A few years later, fueled by a relentless desire to serve, the brothers walked into an Air Force recruiter’s office and enlisted in the military. Soon they arrived at Basic Military Training together and were assigned to the same flight.  

“It was really cool because the first day we sat down and they were telling people where they’re going, and they look at both us and say ‘Oh you guys are twins? You’re staying together’ and from that point, we stayed together as a flight and it helped mentally because we weren’t separated from everyone in our families,” Charles said. 

The brothers trained and worked together as ‘chow runners’ for the first weeks, often sharing insights during training. After graduation, the brothers completed Security Forces technical training together, then both assigned to a duty station in Wyoming. Later, they deployed overseas with one another’s unit members. All along their similar looks have often caused confusion among some Airmen.  

“It’s a common thing, even our first base together…I’d go arm up and then they’d say, ‘I just saw you turn your weapon in …are you confused?’ I’m like, no, that was my brother, it’s always been a thing. When we deployed guys would be having a conversation with me, and I’d be like ‘I don’t know who you are.’ I’d have to say…’you probably think I’m my brother’… to this day, it’s still the same thing,” Chris explained. 

More than a decade after they first stepped foot at BMT, the Platt brothers are back at the same base – this time leading Airmen and trainees as a training superintendent and military training instructor.  

“Now roles are reversed,” Charles said, “Now I’m TI. It’s rewarding and it’s part of our passion and it’s pretty cool to be here with him.” 

Despite their different roles at the 737 TRG, both are leading the next generation of Airmen. 

“Our work ethic in the military is constantly working to help do more and more. Always trying to do something to help other people, honestly,” Chris said. 

It’s a mindset both brothers adopted ever since they first set their eyes on the goal. 

“As long as I can make a change in a few people, that’s all that matters,” Charles added.  

After nearly 12 years in the Air Force, the brothers are living out their childhood dream living a life of service. 

“We always want to strive for the best, but as long as we’re helping someone in the process, I think we feel successful.” Chris said.