Lieutenant Colonel John W. Collins, Jr., a resident of West Orange, New Jersey, graduated from the Infantry Officer Candidate School (OCS) in 1978. In 2006, he was inducted into the OCS Hall of Fame (Certificate #38-06), for outstanding service to the Nation. 

He currently serves with the faculty at New Jersey City University, College of Professional Studies, Department of Professional Security Studies, in Jersey City, New Jersey.  His specializations include: Information Assurance/Cyber Security, Research and Statistics.

His retirement was effective 1 February 1998, after serving nearly 23 years, with 16 years of overseas service in the European, Pacific and Southwest Asian theaters of operation. A field experienced multifunctional logistician, he provided general and/or direct support logistics to every major European Theater operation from 1990-1996: DESERT SHIELD/STORM (VII Corps deployment and support, 1990-91), PROVIDE COMFORT (Turkey and Iraq, 1991), PROVIDE PROMISE (Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, 1992-95), PROVIDE HOPE (Ukraine, 1992-94), RESTORE HOPE (Somalia, 1993-95), SUPPORT HOPE (Rwanda, 1994), ABLE SENTRY (Macedonia, 1993-95), and JOINT ENDEAVOR (Hungary and Bosnia-Herzegovina, 1995-96). During the 1980's he assisted with depot and/or general support logistics (Class V- Ammunition) to BEIRUT US MARINE OPERATIONS (Lebanon, 1983), URGENT FURY (Grenada, 1983), EARNEST WILL (Naval Operations in Libya and the Persia Gulf,1986-87), and JUST CAUSE (Panama, 1989).

Chronologically, his previous duty assignments are: Logistics Officer, TRADOC System Manager, Combat Service Support Control System, US Army Combined Arms Support Command, Ft. Lee (1996-97); Logistics Officer, 21st Theater Army Area Command (1994-96); Maintenance Operations Officer, US Army Combat Equipment Group-Europe (1993-94); Commander, 4th Combat Equipment Company (1991-93); Battalion Executive Officer, Logistics Support Unit (Joint Service FSB), 6th Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized) in Turkey and Northern Iraq (1991); Battalion Operations Officer, General Support Center-Germersheim, 29th Area Support Group (1990-91); Major Command (MACOM) Staff Officer for Ammunition, US Army Central Ammunition Office-Pacific (1987-90); Executive Officer, Indiana Army Ammunition Plant (1985-87); Commander, 20th Ordnance Company (1983-85); Battalion Logistics Staff Officer (S-4), 101st Ordnance Battalion (1982-83); and Platoon Leader with both the 38th Army Air Defense Artillery Brigade in South Korea, and the 101st Airborne Division-Air Assault (1979-81). Starting in the US Army as a private, he attained the rank of Sergeant (E-5) while serving in Geibelstadt, West Germany (1975-1978) with the 32nd Air Defense Command.

He is State President for New Jersey and a life member, Association of the United States Army (AUSA), life member of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) – the New Jersey (NJ) Chapter 43, member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) – Post 2856 in Livingston, NJ, member of the American Legion (AL) – Post 201 in Livingston, NJ, member of the Catholic War Veterans (CWV) – Post 0004, Washington, D.C., and an associate member of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) – Newark, NJ Lodge 12.

Lieutenant Colonel Collins holds civilian degrees from the University of the State of New York - Regents External Degree, now Excelsior College (A.S.), Columbia College (B.A.), the University of Oklahoma (M.P.A.), and Seton Hall University (Ed.D.). He is also a graduate of the Infantry, Quartermaster and Ordnance Officer Advanced Courses, the Combined Arms and Services Staff School, the Command and General Staff Officer College, the Logistics Executive Development Course, and the Air War College.

His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, three Meritorious Service Medals, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, five Army Commendation Medals, the Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Army Superior Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal (with BSS), Korean Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal (with BSS), Armed Forces Service Medal (with BSS), Humanitarian Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Development Ribbon with Numeral 2, Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Service Ribbon with Numeral 6, Army Reserve Components Training Ribbon, NATO Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal, New York State Conspicuous Service Cross (Registration #0870) with two gold and one silver devices (12 awards), New York State Conspicuous Service Star with two silver devices (3 awards), New Jersey State Meritorious Service Medal, the Department of Defense Cold War Certificate, the Parachutist Badge, and the Air Assault Badge.

Note - one of Colonel Collins' Meritorious Service Medals is currently under review by Department of the US Army  for conversion to the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service rendered during the 1st Gulf War.

He is retired with his wife of over twenty-seven years, the former Simona E. Aschenbrenner of Wurzburg, Germany and their two children Mary (26) and John, III (24). 

Simona has been decorated by the United States government with the US Army's Commander's Award for Public Service during DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM, providing over 2,250 volunteer hours in the support of three family support groups.  Additionally, she has been recognized by the US Department of Defense as a Cold War veteran, serving the Nation as a civil service employee with the US Army during the period 2 September 1945 - 26 December 1991. She still volunteers extensively, including service as a multiple grade (5^th – 8^th) Catechist teacher for the St. Teresa of Avila Parish in Summit, New Jersey. 

Mary is a 2002 graduate of Seton Hall University, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences, achieving high honors (Magna Cum Laude) and a 2006 graduate of the Florida Institute of Technology, with a Master of Science degree in Management/Logistics Management. She is currently serving as a Logistics Management Specialist, GS-13, at Ft. Monmouth, New Jersey.

John, III is a 2004 graduate of Seton Hall University, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts, achieving honors (Cum Laude). He is currently serving as a Logistics Management Specialist (Ammunition), YA-2 or GS-9 equivalent, at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland.

Last Update: August 11, 2007