Halfway across the world, Brandon and Landon Aydlett are watching the weather.

The 26-year-old twin brothers from Weeksville are both working as meteorologists at Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site on Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. The small Pacific Ocean nation is a far cry from eastern North Carolina, but the Aydlett brothers have made adjustments before.

Growing up, there was a time when they were actually afraid of storms. But by 1993, the fear had disappeared and curiosity took its place.

"I had a secret fascination with wild weather, severe storms, power outages, blizzards, flooding and trees down," Landon said. "I always knew when there would be a big storm, and watching the weather guys on TV, I knew that storm would be huge."

"The stronger the storm, the better the adrenaline rush and the more I wanted to be in it," Brandon added.

The interest remained with them as they entered Northeastern High School. For his senior project, Landon worked with meteorologist John Cash of WAVY-TV 10 and examined a "worst-case scenario" hurricane track. Brandon was initially interested in pursuing music, but eventually migrated to meteorology as well. The brothers said taking some of the same classes enabled them to help each other out.

While the Aydlett brothers had their eyes on degrees from a four-year school, they both attended College of The Albemarle to take general education classes before transferring.

"My experiences were very positive at COA," Brandon said. "Classes are smaller than at a larger school, teachers are approachable, and COA helps prepare students for the scheduling that is to be expected at larger schools."

"I think going straight to college is still the mainstream idea, as many kids are ready to get outta town," Landon added. "But the community college thing could become more common, at least among the wiser students."

By 2005, both brothers were armed with bachelor's degrees in meteorology from N.C. State University. But what they didn't have was experience.

While trying to break into the field, the Aydletts worked as observers for the National Weather Service. They also took a variety of odd jobs, including working in the RBC Center during the Carolina Hurricanes' 2006 Stanley Cup run.

Brandon said he applied for the Marshall Islands position out of desperation.

"I saw it, thought about how small the chance would be I'd get a response from them, but also considered how likely I'd be willing to go should I receive the call," he said. "A month later the phone rang, I didn't recognize the company until I went flipping through my resumes and realized it was the job in the Marshall Islands."

After Brandon accepted the position in 2007, the twins finally split up.

"It took us a few days to get over it as we had never split like this, or even close to it," Landon said. "When he left, things were tough the first night and next day."

Fortunately, the split was not permanent. In late 2007, Kwajalein was searching for another meteorologist. Landon sent his resume in and was able to rejoin his brother.

Brandon currently serves as a radar-meteorologist and a rotating mission meteorologist. The latter role involves drafting reports, giving weather briefings to military personnel and working inside a control center.

"The responsibility is tremendous as is the amount of paperwork required in mission support," he said. "However, the accomplishment and feeling of success makes it all worthwhile."

Landon has done everything from making forecasts to launching weather balloons and will soon serve as the "go-to guy" for an automated weather system. While he said he would like more interaction with the public and a lot more spontaneity (the local weather hardly ever changes), he said the job is a good opportunity.

"While many days out here feel like "Groundhog Day" while stuck in a world like Truman on "The Truman Show" I'm proud to have this great and awesome experience," he said. "Maybe, I'll get to see more of the world while I am out here."