Governor Phil Bryant issued the following press release:
Adjutant General Collins of Mississippi Announces Retirement
Brigadier General Boyles Named as Replacement
Jackson, Miss.—Maj. Gen. Augustus L. (Leon) Collins, the adjutant general of Mississippi, has announced his retirement from the Mississippi National Guard, effective August 31, 2016. Brig. Gen. Janson D. (Durr) Boyles will take over the position of adjutant general on September 1, 2016.
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| General Boyles |
Collins was appointed as the adjutant general on Jan. 11, 2012, by Gov. Phil Bryant. He currently oversees the Mississippi Military Department and serves as commander of the Mississippi Army and Air National Guard. The Booneville native ends his time in uniform with 35 years of service to Mississippi and the nation.
“I can truly say that I’ve had the best job in the world,” said Collins. “Being able to work with the best soldiers, airmen, and civilians this country has to offer has been a rewarding experience that will never be forgotten.”
“Leon Collins has been a great leader for the Mississippi Military Department and the men and women of the Mississippi National Guard. Gen. Collins is a soldier’s soldier,” Gov. Bryant said. “He has led with distinction and a devotion to his troops and their families. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”
“I'm honored the governor would select me for the position of adjutant general. To have the opportunity to lead a group of men and women who I admire for their commitment to a cause greater than themselves is humbling,” Boyles said. “I look forward to following a man I consider to be an outstanding military leader.”
Collins’ career began in March 1977 as a private with the Mississippi Army National Guard’s Company B, 1st Battalion, 198th Armor Regiment. In July 1980, he completed Officer Candidate School and served in command and staff positions on the company, battalion, and brigade levels. He also served on the adjutant general’s primary staff as a traditional and active Guard – Reserve Soldier.
Collins served on active duty in Operations Desert Shield and Storm, and commanded the 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team during Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2004 – 2006. It was the largest mobilization of Mississippi troops since World War II. He was promoted to brigadier general on May 10, 2005 in Iraq, making him the first African American to attain the rank of general officer in the history of the Mississippi National Guard. He was promoted to his present rank following his appointment as adjutant general in 2012.
Boyles’ career began in 1982 and he has 34 years of commissioned service. In 2005, he served as the Executive Officer for the 168th Engineer Group in the Mississippi National Guard during Hurricane Katrina recovery and rebuilding efforts.
In 2009, Boyles served in Afghanistan with the 168th Engineer Brigade of the Mississippi National Guard. Recently, he has served 2015-2016 in Kosovo as Chief of Staff of KFOR Forces, a NATO Division deployed as part of Operation Joint Guardian.
“General Boyles is unequivocally the best officer to serve as adjutant general of the Mississippi National Guard. His past performance as a senior leader of the Guard has proven my reliance in him and my trust in his abilities,” Gov. Bryant said. “He has commanded at all levels and has developed outstanding planning and managerial skills, as evidenced by his successful career.”
A native of Jackson, Miss., Boyles graduated from Mississippi State University where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering in 1982 and in 2005 he received his Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College.
Boyles and his wife, Robin, have two adult sons and attend Christ United Methodist Church.
“Many of the National Guard soldiers who serve as I have, value our time in uniform working alongside peers, leaders, and soldiers to train on difficult tasks in difficult environments, deploy to put that training to test, and experience a successful accomplishment of both,” Boyles said. “As the adjutant general, I'll have the opportunity to continue influencing our training to prepare us for future missions abroad and natural disasters here at home. Most importantly, my responsibility will be to provide for the soldiers and their families who we so value.”
19 comments:
Great selection. MG Collins has done an outstanding job and BG Boyles will continue the excellent work.
Durr Boyles is a model of a soldier and of a civilian. Put one at the top of the "Win" column for the Governor.
MG Collins is an Officer and a Gentleman. One of best appointment's Gov Bryant made during his tenure, Hooah!
Durr Boyles is hot!
Always wondered what the attraction was to Collins. History shows that he was a field office monitor/auditor for the Employment Security Department. What else? Oh, wait! Nice PERS though.
6:52 - You obviously don't know, or have served with Major General Collins. Your comment leads me to believe you are incredibly jealous of this man and his accomplishments. Get a life.
7:23; No jealousy here. I just happened to have known him thirty years ago When he was a traveling evaluation team member with the Employment Security Department. Mediocrity at best. But he was black, and as Joe Biden said about Obama, "Clean and fairly articulate". What's your knowledge based upon?
7:52 - I had the pleasure of serving with MG Collins; and you just demonstrated your ignorance by mentioning race.
I know your type; and my guess is that you've spent most of your lackluster career bashing others instead of finding ways to excel in your job, and you've never worked on a real team (or been chosen to serve on one). Your blatant racial pretense is disgusting and again demonstrates your ignorance.
So set your shortcomings aside, and let's celebrate a man who has served this country and this state with distinction for 35 years.
General Collins is a fine man and is to be thanked and congratulated for his service to our state and our nation.
Is this the same Durr Boyles that is an insurance agent?
8:45; Collins was selected because of his race. Deny that if you will. You know nothing of my career or which, if any teams I've served on. You are a pompous blusterer, nothing more. No, you don't 'know my type' since you have no clue who I am or what experience I have. Collins will have a nice PERS check. His background/ experience is what it is. I doubt you know what it is. The position of AG is worthless to begin with. Go piss up somebody else's leg.
@5:26, with an attitude like yours, I doubt anyone would want to work with you. If you're current or former military, I'm sure you have plenty of Blue Falcon coins.
Yes he will have a nice retirement, but I think we can all agree he's earned it. It's a shame that we can't celebrate a man's career without some racist jackwagon ruining it (or as you may say "rurnt"). You are why Mississippi is stuck in last place.
6:08 - My knowledge and opinion of Collins has nothing to do with race. But, thanks for insisting that the race card be out front. You people always do that.
You were the only one that brought his race into it, and by "you people" you must mean a white middle aged male with two advanced degrees in engineering and mathmatics right (and I mean the kind you really earn, not the kind you buy online or "receive" in West Jackson) I'm sure that's what you meant, right... As soon as "you people" quit concentrating on race, the world will be a much better place.
Yes, same Boles has the insurance agency.
4:59 - Speaking of racist, what are you suggesting by your 'west Jackson' remark? I think you just pissed down your own leg.
perhaps a comment toward the institutions of higher learning in west Jackson? Can't think of any besides RTS or maybe a beauty salon school.
One day America will understand that the Guard is a huge waste of taxpayer dollars and a continuous headache to Active Duty Services. The Reserve is aligned with the active duty services but the Guard is not. But you can't touch the Guard because each State has their own and their politicians protect them. And the active duty can't say a word because they work for Congress and the rest of the politicians. So Senator Foghorn gets his own air force and army with plenty of cash flowing into each state. Governor Foghorn gets to be commander in chief of that state. And each state Guard operates alone with only a small Guard Bureau staff in DC to "advise" but their union has all of the real power. But I guess Mississippi needs about 13,000 Guard troops to direct traffic...just in case!
What in the hell is the guard good for? Spending tax money is about all I can think of.
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