OKLAHOMA CITY —Growing up in the small town of Greenwood, Wisconsin, Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Tyson Collinson felt a calling to venture beyond her familiar surroundings. As a Greenwood High School graduate who was seeking opportunities and personal growth, she decided to broaden her horizons by enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 2006.
Today Collinson, who currently lives in Oklahoma City, serves as a selected reservist at the Reserve Support Unit assigned to Navy Reserve Center Oklahoma City.
“I joined the Navy to do something different with my life that wouldn’t nor couldn’t be offered at any job in my hometown at that age and mindset,” said Collinson.
In her current role, Collinson’s duties encompass serving as an assistant command fitness leader as well as participating in funeral honors both roles she finds meaningful.
“Funeral honors offer a magnitude of gratitude as I get to play a part in honoring ‘The fighting spirit of the Navy’ of the service member being laid to rest," Collinson explained. "Just as when one retires from the Navy, we have the watch; presenting the flag to the next of kin is the final turnover.”
Collinson’s dedication to her craft and strong work ethic have not gone unnoticed during her time in uniform. When reflecting on her Navy service, a specific moment of recognition stands out as her proudest accomplishment.
“My proudest accomplishment in the Navy has been receiving a compliment for my duties as tractor king from Lt. Cmdr. Regina Mills,” said Collinson. Mills was a former aircraft handling officer on the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) who passed away in 2012 while assisting an injured motorcyclist. “She had an understanding of the enlisted prior to becoming an officer. Her leadership was exemplary as it lives on in many Sailors still serving. When I was tractor king on the USS Nimitz, she complimented my work ethic and efforts as the best she had seen and worked with up to that point in her career.”
Behind her success, Collinson credits the lessons she learned growing up in Greenwood, Wisconsin, which helped shape her leadership philosophy and personal values.
“Resilience and grit,” she said of her hometown lessons. “Growing up taking care of my sibling and cousins created the leader in me, then on to play sports making a team work, recognizing weaknesses and strengths, then pillaring them to maximize the individual and team. Same thing as in the military, what is one Sailor’s weakness is another’s strength and vice versa; then playing those attributes and characteristics off each other for a solid foundation, especially for mission readiness and operational commitment.”
Outside of her uniform, Collinson teaches yoga. "I own a yoga business where I teach private and community classes utilizing many of the qualities from not only the teachings and practice of yoga, but also the Physical Readiness Program, as well as breathing techniques incorporated in Warrior Toughness."
As Collinson reflects on her journey, she remains focused on gratitude, service and inspiring others.
“Serving in the Navy to me is my opportunity to be a part of something bigger than myself,” she reflected. “Where I can hopefully inspire others of what they can do and are capable of, speak up for others who may need a bigger voice, to guide others to surpass me, and to grow Sailors by cultivating an enriching environment."
| Date Taken: |
08.11.2026 |
| Date Posted: |
08.11.2026 16:06 |
| Story ID: |
572150 |
| Location: |
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA, US |
| Hometown: |
GREENWOOD, CLARK, WISCONSIN, US |
| Web Views: |
15 |
| Downloads: |
0 |
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This work, From Greenwood to the Fleet: Wisconsin Native Finds Purpose in the U.S. Navy, by PO1 Jimmy Ivy, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
