Within about a month, all three of the Patrick siblings enlisted in the Army.

Kristin, Kelli and Christopher Patrick of Center Township took the leap together — surprising their parents and their Army recruiter alike. There's little to no military history in their family, but parents Jeff and Ronda Patrick are coming to terms with their new Army-orientated identity. Both said they're proud and excited.

“We're not a military family,” Ronda said. “This is all pretty new.”

The three kids quickly chimed in.

“She cried,” Kelli confirmed. “A lot.”

It all started with Kristin, the middle child. She enlisted Sept. 5. From there, Kristin's two siblings both decided to enlist.

Kristin has wanted to work in forensic science for years. She's joining as a military intelligence systems maintainer, and hopes to one day work for the FBI.

“We knew it would happen,” Ronda said. “She was always watching 'Forensic Files.' ”

Kristin is 18 and graduated from Butler Senior High School this year. After basic training, she'll attend Slippery Rock University to get her degree in forensics.

Of the three siblings, Kelli, the oldest at 20, seemed the least likely to join the military. Both her siblings did Junior ROTC, while Kelli's military adjacent experience is limited at best.

But Kelli tagged along when Kristin went to sign her contract and found herself liking what her sister's recruiter was saying. She enlisted Sept. 5, just about two weeks after Kristin.

“I told him, 'You'll never get her in the military,' ” Jeff said. “I was wrong.”

Kelli studies biology at SRU. She's a sophomore. She'll start as a human resource specialist for the Army.

The sisters are entering as reserve soldiers, but their younger brother, 17-year-old Christopher, is going active duty.

“You should have seen the way she looked when I said I was going active duty,” he said, pointing to his mother.

Christopher is looking for thrills. Their recruiter asked the Butler Senior High School junior what he likes to do. He answered “jump off bridges.”

Now, Christopher is set to head to basic training some time after graduating high school. He'll be in the Army airborne school and will serve as an information technology specialist. He enlisted Sept. 25.

Sgt. 1st Class Markal Hansen, the recruiter who worked with the Patrick trio, marveled at the rarity of such a triple-recruit.

“It's extremely rare, especially when the parents do not have relative military experience,” Hansen said.

The three are meeting with recruiters each Thursday evening to prepare for their next steps. All three are sworn in and starting workout regimens.

Kelli is first to ship off to basic training. She heads for Fort Jackson in South Carolina on Jan. 6.

Kristin follows suit on May 19. She'll be at Fort Sill in Oklahoma.

Due to his age and position, Christopher is not yet able to confirm his basic training information. He'll depart sometime after his high school graduation.

For the record, Kristin isn't angry that her siblings stole her thunder.

“It takes all the tension off me,” she said, laughing.