Going Far Together: Two Brothers, One Mission, One Milestone Published June 3, 2026 By Rachael Ferguson 88 ABW/PA WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- The U.S. Space Force relies on four core values to guide guardians in their mission: character, connection, commitment and courage. For two brothers serving in the Space Force, those principles extend far beyond the workplace. They guide life itself. Specialist 4 Dakota Desrosiers and Specialist 4 Hunter-Christian Desrosiers share a unique bond. Though separated by five years in age, the brothers joined the Space Force just six months apart. Since then, their paths have remained remarkably aligned. They both earned Honor Graduate at Basic Training. While in technical training, both were recognized as student leaders among all guardians and each earned the Commander’s Excellence award. Dakota and Hunter-Christian at technical school. (Courtesy Photo). Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Next, they both received their first assignment at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, and now they are both preparing to graduate from the Community College of the Air Force on June 25, 2026. Their journey to that milestone has been marked by perseverance, growth and a quiet determination to push one another forward. For Dakota, the greatest challenge came before he ever put on the uniform. He had long been fascinated by space-related technology, following developments such as Starlink and SpaceX. As he learned more about the mission of the Space Force, he realized he wanted to be part of it. The Space Force's primary career fields include intelligence, cyber and space operations. Dakota was drawn to intelligence because of his interest in understanding the “why” behind events in the space domain and helping provide that information to decision-makers. However, he faced a significant obstacle: he did not have a high school diploma. Determined to qualify, Dakota studied for and earned his GED. He then continued through the enlistment process, successfully completing each requirement and proving his capabilities along the way. “It’s about progress over pride,” Dakota said. “Sometimes you have to not be afraid to look dumb in the spirit of making progress on something.” His younger brother, Hunter-Christian, shares a similar mindset. Rather than pushing each other through words, the brothers motivate one another through action. They call this dynamic “leapfrogging” — one brother takes a step forward, and the other follows. At times, that leadership comes from Hunter-Christian. Although Dakota initially began working toward his Community College of the Air Force degree, Hunter-Christian immersed himself in the program shortly after arriving at Wright-Patterson. Seeing his younger brother’s progress motivated Dakota to finish his own coursework and so they began the journey of studying together at the same time. “Higher education was definitely something we both wanted. Instead of telling him to do better, I just entered into it and then he wasn’t far behind,” Hunter-Christian said. The same pattern had played out the year prior when Dakota joined the Space Force first and Hunter-Christian followed his example. For Hunter-Christian, the greatest challenge has been managing expectations. “I either push too hard, or if it’s not where I want it to be yet, I just keep pushing more,” he said. Over time, he has learned that success is less about immediate results and more about maintaining discipline and purpose. “As long as you’re consistent and you have intent and stick to your ‘why,’ you can push through a lot,” he said. “It’s about the input, not the output.” In other words, stay the course and trust the process. As the interview came to a close, Hunter-Christian encouraged his older brother to share some final advice. Dakota looked at him, smiled and offered a reflection that seemed to capture not only their relationship but also their journey. “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Hunter-Christian and Dakota are pictured during their childhood (courtesy photo). Photo Details / Download Hi-Res On June 25, the Desrosiers brothers will walk across the stage together, celebrating a milestone that reflects years of hard work, sacrifice and mutual encouragement. Yet for both men, graduation is not the finish line. They each plan to continue their education with the long-term goal of becoming officers. Hunter-Christian is enrolled to study Intelligence and Information Operations at the University of Arizona, while Dakota is currently working on a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Arizona State University. Their paths may eventually diverge, but the values that brought them this far — character, connection, commitment and courage — will continue to guide them forward, together.