Photo By David San Miguel | Staff Sgt. Lynnette Collier takes a break by the piano between choreography and voice...... read more read more
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FORT BRAGG, N.C. – Singing came natural for the Pittsburgh, Pa. native. It was a hidden talent U.S. Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Lynnette Y. Collier relegated to the recesses of her life as she explored military service and the possibility of a career she felt could take her to “another realm.”
“I started my career as an active duty soldier, but left the service in 2000,” she said. “I came back into the military as a reserve Soldier in 2006 and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2009 with the 321st Military Intelligence Battalion out of Austin, Texas.”
Picking up tours of duty wherever she could find them, Collier landed an assignment with the Augmentation Unit here at the U.S. Army Reserve Command where she works in the Manning Division on Contingency Operation – Active Duty for Operational Support orders.
Her military career on track, she continued to demonstrate her singing talents and was often called upon to sing the national anthem at various ceremonies.
“Eventually, I was told about the Army’s Soldier Show and that auditions were being held in November,” she said.
The sergeant added that though she sang in her church’s choir back home, she never performed at the caliber and extent expected during auditions for the U.S. Army Soldier Show.
“This was my first attempt. I had never competed in any other talent competition before,” Collier said. “I have had many friends that have encouraged me to take my singing abilities further.”
Having the full support of her family and friends, she demonstrated her “passion to perform” at a live audition in San Antonio and gained an opportunity to join the cast and crew of the 2014 Army Soldier Show.
“Musically, I just love what I do,” she said. “I am so humbled to be able to perform for the soldiers and their families knowing that this show can change lives. Being here and learning the details of dance, music and all the hard work that goes into each performance, just blows me away.”
From Pittsburgh to Fort Bragg, then the Soldier Show, Collier admits wasn’t just an opportunity that dropped on her lap and she encourages individuals to pursue their dreams.
“If you have a talent as a soldier,” she said, “I encourage you to use that gift in this capacity. This tour may require long rehearsals and very short nights, but in the end, when we have a finished product, it will all be worth it.”
Hosted by the Installation Management Command, the Soldier Show boasts a set of 19 soldiers selected from auditions held at various Army installations worldwide. Upon selection, the soldiers are placed on orders to tour the world to entertain soldiers and their families with a 75-minute song and dance production. This year’s “Army Strong” show is slated to launch April 11 at the home of Army Entertainment, Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
| Date Taken: | 03.13.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 03.13.2014 10:59 |
| Story ID: | 121941 |
| Location: | PITTSBURGH, PA, US |
| Web Views: | 422 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, With Voices Raised: USAR sergeant chosen to tour with Army Soldier Show, by David San Miguel, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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