Approximately one percent of Americans have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. An even smaller percentage have served within the same family, at the same time, at the same base.

This is a reality for the Ramirez Arenas brothers from Compton, California. The brothers, who are nearly six years apart, both serve on active-duty at Travis Air Force Base, California.

Staff Sgt. Angel Ramirez Arenas, 60th Logistical Readiness Squadron fleet management NCO in charge, arrived at TAFB in June 2012 and his younger brother, Senior Airman Ramon Ramirez Arenas, 60th Surgical Operations Squadron surgical technician, arrived at the base in October 2014.

A large smile covers Angel’s face as he reflects on what it means to be assigned to the same base with his brother.

“We got lucky,” said Angel. “It’s pretty rare for us to be assigned to the same base and we’ve tried to take advantage of every opportunity.”

“We enjoy spending time together, whether we’re shooting hoops, playing racquetball or just hanging out,” said Ramon.

Since being assigned to the same base, the brothers have traveled to Los Angeles several times to visit family, Las Vegas, Nevada and are planning a trip to Hawaii in 2017.

Angel was the best man at Ramon’s wedding to an Air Force medic in September 2014. He’s also the godfather of Ramon’s daughter, Mia Rose, and helped welcome her into the world on September 26, 2015.

“I couldn’t think of anyone better to be my daughter’s godfather,” said Ramon.

One of the best benefits of sharing the same assignment with Angel, Ramon said, is getting advice from the junior NCO.

“The support he gives me is incredible,” he said. “He helped me with my in-processing when I first got here, which was great because I didn’t know where to go. Any trouble I’m going through he’s there for me and if I have military related questions, he’s an excellent resource.”

“When I joined the military I didn’t have a lot of guidance, so I told Ramon what to expect from basic training, technical school and at his first base,” added Angel. “I even let him borrow my car when I deployed.”

Angel enlisted in May 2009 to pursue an education and a career in law enforcement. He was assigned to the logistical career field shortly after basic training and said he’s grown to love his job. During the seven years he’s spent in the U.S. Air Force, he’s earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and plans on pursuing a master’s degree in the same field.

Ramon enlisted in January 2014 hoping to pursue an education and a career in law enforcement.

“I saw what the Air Force was doing for my brother and I wanted to follow in his footsteps,” he said. “Along the way I fell in love with the medical field and I’m currently pursuing a commission through the physician’s assistant program.”

The brothers said they plan to make the most of every day they share the same assignment and had a message for the Air Force, in case the service was considering assigning the duo to the same base again.

“Los Angeles Air Force Base would be perfect,” they said with smiles from ear to ear.