Warrior of the Week: Senior Airman Benjamin Collins

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Luis Loza Gutierrez
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  The Air Force encourages Airmen to take advantage of the various special duties and assignments available to them throughout their careers, especially during personal and professional transition periods.
 
That's exactly what Senior Airman Benjamin Collins - the latest Warrior of the Week - is doing during his third consecutive tasking as a member of the Grand Forks Air Force Base Honor Guard.

"I was an air traffic apprentice with 319th Operation Support Squadron and I didn't make the cut as an air traffic controller," said Collins. "However, I feel very fortunate that the Air Force is letting me make good use of my time and experience by staying with the honor guard while I wait for my retraining orders to come in."

Collins' situation is unique in that junior enlisted here typically serve just one four-month term as a full-time member of the honor guard, while remaining in an on-call status for a one year. His retraining situation allows him to remain full-time on the honor guard.

"Airman Collins will be able to provide continuity that will alleviate the new flight from having to experience many of the obstacles associated with being brand new to military funeral honors," said Tech. Sgt. Stephanie Rose, honor guard program manager. "There is a stark contrast between the training environment and the unique challenges of a real funeral. He will seamlessly fill the void and bring a strong sense of calm to the new members."

Airman 1st Class Jedidiah Polk of the 319th Security Forces Squadron, one of the 10 new junior enlisted Airmen currently being trained for the honor guard, is glad to have Collins on the team. He lauded Collins' sense of humor and the fact that he's approachable.

Collins has participated in more than 150 different ceremonies, including about 100 funerals. Rendering military honors at a funeral is especially memorable for Collins.

"It's about showing respect not just for the person whose passed away, but the families who have made sacrifices supporting that person who decided to serve his or her country," he said. "I know what we (as ceremonial guardsmen) do does make an impact on the family."

His own family serves as a source of motivation for Collins, who joined the Air Force in 2009.

"I joined the Air Force to support my son and make sure he has a good life growing up," said the 20-year-old military father. "Today I have even more motivation because of my fiancée and kids. They are the ones that keep me going on a daily basis."

And the Pell City, Ala., native has a brother in the Air Force.

"Right now my main career goal is to make staff before my older brother, who joined the same time as me," said Collins. "I test this cycle and have been studying diligently."