Staff Sgt. Christopher J. Birdwell accepted nothing less than perfection — garnering the nickname “sergeant major” even though he was years from such a rank.

Spc. Mabry J. Anders wore a slightly more dirty uniform.

He savored crawling under Humvees leaking grease, all the while wearing that “sleepy smile” that hardly went away, said Lt. Col. Nicholas Palarino.

The soldiers’ pictures, sitting beneath rifles, boots, helmets and dog tags, brought their families and comrades to tears Thursday during a memorial service at Fort Carson Soldiers’ Memorial Chapel.

The men were killed Aug. 27 in Kalagush, Afghanistan, when an Afghan soldier turned his gun on Fort Carson troops sent to train and support him, part of a spike in “green on blue” attacks in Afghanistan that have killed 45 coalition troops this year.

In August, at least 12 such attacks killed 15 coalition troops.

“The breach of trust of a brother is all the more shocking and frustrating,” Lt. Col. Howard Fields, a post chaplain, said during the service.

“We are morally outraged, we are angry. But we as a mature nation do not seek revenge. We try to prevent similar incidents.”

Each soldier earned the Bronze Star posthumously. On Thursday, fellow soldiers remembered the men between muffled sobs.

Promoted posthumously to staff sergeant, Birdwell, 25, became known as much for his outdoors prowess as his competitive nature.

In charge of clearing roadways with the 4th Special Troops Battalion of the 4th Brigade Combat Team, Birdwell deployed to Afghanistan in 2006 for seven months and in 2009 for a year.

Pfc. Devon Coles recalled challenging Birdwell to a shooting competition — a seemingly easy challenge considering Coles hit 39 of 40 targets in the three-round competition.

“People who know Sgt. Birdwell, they would tell you that is not a good idea,” said Coles, smiling.

Birdwell hit 40 of 40 targets each time.

Unbeknownst to Coles, his superior had passed sniper training.

When not in uniform, Birdwell, of Windsor, “could rip a slope apart,” on a snowboard, said Spc. Kevin Leaman, with the battalion’s rear deatchment.

“He didn’t see the point in doing something if you weren’t going to do your best,” said Spc. Trey Hammett, with the battalion’s rear detachment.

Five-and-a-half months into his first deployment, Anders, 21, spent most of his days wrenching together Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles or taking them from ditches.

A mechanic with the 4th Brigade’s 4th Special Troops Battalion, the Baker City, Ore., native had a quirky sense of humor that shined through in an ever-present smile.

No challenge seemed too big. One time, he hauled snow into the mechanics’ garage and built a two-foot-tall snowman — apparently, just to claim he could make one inside.

“He helped a rainy day,” Leaman said, smiling.

Drawing the eulogies to a close, Pfc. Jason Barnes spoke softly of his fallen comrade.

“Today, Spc. Anders, I smile for you because your mission is complete,” he said.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Soldiers break down the memorial for Staff Sgt. Christopher James Birdwell and Spc. Mabry James Anders after a service to honor the two soldiers from the 4th Special Troops Battalion of the 4th Brigade Combat Team at Soldiers’ Memorial Chapel on Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, Colo. The two were killed in Afghanistan Aug. 27, 2012. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) Photo by CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE

The honor guard from the 2nd Battalion, 12 Infantry Regiment fires volleys Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, during a memorial for Staff Sgt. Christopher James Birdwell and Spc. Mabry James Anders at Soldiers’ Memorial Chapel on Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, Co Photo by CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE

Soldiers leave Soldier’s Memorial Chapel Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, after the memorial for Staff Sgt. Christopher James Birdwell and Spc. Mabry James Anders on Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, Colo. The two soldiers from the 4th Special Troops Battalion of Photo by CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE