MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Few people start their lives with a predetermined destination, it is while walking down the path called life they actually find a break in the road and decide to explore its wonder.
For Col. Michael A. Dyer and his younger brother, Col. Anselm J. Dyer, equal opportunity advisor for the commandant, their break came when they stepped foot in the United States.
The story of the two brothers began in Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies. Growing up not having much was something the Dyers were use to, but with the help of their mother, their life was about to open a variety of possibilities.
“Our mother came to the states first and after a year she brought us over,” explained the towering older brother. “June 29, 1969, I remember the year quite well.”
Upon arriving in the United States, the Dyer family moved to Albany, New York, which was a drastic change from the tropical climate of the Caribbean.
“Us West Indies folk coming in there (New York) with that blood, it was June so it was ok, but as soon as winter came around…,” said Michael almost visibly shaking with the memory of the bitter cold New York winters.
Coming from a Catholic school in Trinidad, the Dyers were used to the rules of attending a private school, but for Anselm he wanted something different in the states. He wanted to attend a public school.
“My parents wanted to send us to a private school but he didn’t like it, he wanted to go to a public school where he could do his own thing,” said Michael.
“I feel it gave me more independence,” claimed Anselm.
Michael, being the eldest in a family of four, grew up always taking care of his siblings.
“Both my mom and dad worked and when they left, the others never wanted to do any of the chores. They just wanted to run around and have fun, but when mom and dad came back it was put on my back,” said Michael as he chuckled remembering the fond memory with his brother, who didn’t deny the facts.
Although Michael was working hard around the house for his parents, Anselm found a way to make extra money by shoveling snow.
The old saying “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” is exactly how the Dyer’s feel.
“We came to the United States with nothing, at first my father worked as a janitor and I worked with him. Then he was a dish washer and I worked with him. He really taught us to work hard,” said Michael.
Hard work is exactly what helped Michael accomplish his goal of becoming a pilot. Fond of the military and the opportunities it offered, Michael went through the United States Naval Academy and upon graduation was commissioned a second lieutenant.
Anselm joined the military shortly after, but he wasn’t following in his brothers footsteps. This decision was of his own accord.
“He was in the PLC (Platoon Leaders Class) program in college for years and I didn’t even know,” said Michael.
“When I went to the program, which is what I wanted to do, I didn’t want him to think I was just following in his footsteps,” said the independent younger brother.
For Anselm individuality is a way of life.
“I think it’s important when you do something, you do it for the right reasons. It has been invaluable having his support, but when it’s all said and done you have to follow in the direction you want to go,” said Anselm.
Joining the Marine Corps was a way for both Michael and Anselm to give back to their country. Although not native to the United States, they still consider it home.
“We believe it is one of the greatest countries in the world. Whatever you want to be, you can be. The Marine Corps just happened to offer this and we took it,” said Michael. “This is our opportunity to give back.”
While Michael and Anselm have both accomplished a lot in their Marine Corps careers, they will never forget their parents who gave them such an opportunity.
“Just being here, I attribute to a vision of what my father had for us,” said Michael.