"I'm what they call a lifer I guess and she's right there with me." (Video Interview, 1:30:55)

Kevin Wayne Collier

Kevin Collier [2007] War: Afghan War, 2001-; Iraq War, 2003-2011 Branch: Army; Army Unit: 276th Engineer Company, 203rd Engineer Battalion (Combat Heavy); Missouri Army National Guard Service Location: Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Camp Pelham, Korea; Anderson, Missouri; Joplin, Missouri; Monett, Missouri; Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; Alaska; Camp Virginia, Kuwait; Bangor, Maine; also: Camp Muleskinner, Baghdad, Camp Victory, and Camp Duke, Iraq Rank: Sergeant First Class

Kevin Collier and his wife made a family decision in 1991 for him to join the Army Reserves to earn more money. In 2003, as a member of the Missouri National Guard, he was deployed to Iraq, staying through two unexpected extensions. Collier saw his men anticipate several times going home, only to be disappointed, and he struggled to maintain morale. He is also frank about how his military career affected his marriage; ironically, his deployment to Iraq served to strengthen the bond with his wife, with whom he was able to communicate via instant messaging and webcam. As of the time of this 2007 interview, Collier had re-enlisted in the Guard for another six years, and his wife had earned an award for her work with a military family support group.