Joseph Collins

Joseph Collins enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in January 1999. He began his service with a tour in Bosnia. After four years, he transferred to the US Army Airborne and joined a Reserve Airborne Unit. Joseph later served in Operation Iraqi Freedom II.

Combat Service in Iraq

Joseph spent 26 months on the front lines during two tours in Iraq. His role involved conducting combat patrols to identify roadside bombs, IEDs, and insurgent activity. Over 350 patrols, his unit found 456 roadside bombs, 152 of which exploded.

Joseph was hit 11 times by roadside bombs during his first tour. In September 2005, he rolled beside two 155mm artillery rounds, which caused him to lose hearing in his right ear. “That was the worst incident, but I saw friends hurt and killed. Those memories will stay with me forever,” he said. For his bravery, Joseph earned the Bronze Star and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge.

A Commitment to Community

After his military service, Joseph joined law enforcement, dedicating 14 years to his community. He was one of the first responders to the Virginia Tech shooting on April 16, 2007.

Today, Joseph is the Senior Instructor at Tomahawk Strategic Solutions in Nashville, Tennessee. His company provides consulting and training for corporate, military, and law enforcement groups. He uses his combat experience to teach real-life lessons that help others in civilian and professional life.

Hometown Hero Recognition

Joseph Collins’ dedication to service continues to inspire others. Loan Officer Wallace Andrus and the ALCOVA Mortgage team in Blacksburg were proud to present Joseph with the Hometown Hero award for his service.