Sgt. 1st Class Derek (L) and Staff Sgt. Carl Collins at Promotion Ceremony

Story by Maj. Randy Stillinger
Photo by Sgt. Mark Scovell, 36th

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait – A Texas Army National Guard Solder from Port O’Connor was promoted during a recent ceremony while deployed to Kuwait.

Staff Sgt. Carl Collins, an Early Warning System (EWS) Operator, is currently deployed with Headquarters Company, 36th Combat Aviation Brigade in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Kuwait. He was promoted to his new rank by Sgt. 1st Class Derek Renfer, the company’s First Sergeant.

When he’s not serving in the military, Staff Sgt. Collins works full-time as an Air Traffic Controller at the Victoria Regional Airport. He is the son of Sylvia Martinez, and step-father Martin, also of Port O’Connor.

Staff Sgt. Collins is the father of Brittney, 14 and Conner, 10 who live in New Braunfels with their mother.