Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Collin L. Younger, who passed away Dec. 8, 2021, at 81, was recently interred at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. He served as the sixth senior enlisted advisor to the chief of Army Reserve and first ever command sergeant major of the U.S. Army Reserve Command. 

"Over his 41-year Army and Army Reserve career, he lived the Warrior Ethos and embodied the Creed of the Noncommissioned Officer," said Command Sgt. Maj. Andrew Lombardo, command sergeant major of the Army Reserve. "His dedication to duty, concern and compassion for all Soldiers in uniform, is unprecedented."

Concerning Younger's time as command sergeant major of the Army Reserve, "he brought major changes to the Reserve that we still benefit from today," Lombardo said. "He was a valued member of the Army Reserve team right up to his passing, and we all mourn with his family on this sad, somber day."

Full obituary for Collin Lester Younger

Collin L. Younger (CSM, Retired), beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and patriot passed away on Wednesday, the 8th of December 2021.

Collin was born on November 1, 1940, to the late Alberta Dixon Younger and Theophus "Offie" Younger, Sr., in Ayden, North Carolina. From his parents, Collin learned the value of hard work early on when he would work sweeping floors and set up a shoeshine stand at the local barbershop. At the young age of 16, he drove the school bus transporting children each day while attending school himself. Collin was always interested in sports and played basketball, baseball, and football in high school.

Collin began his 41 years of faithful military service on June 23, 1959, at Fort Jackson, SC. Upon completion of basic training, he was assigned to Fort Sill, Oklahoma where he attended Artillery School and obtained the rank of Private First Class (PFC). His first duty assignment was with the 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii where he served as an artillery crewman for the next two years and obtained the rank of Corporal (CPL). CPL Younger transitioned from active duty to the Army Reserves in June 1961 and was assigned to the 80th Training Division in Richmond, VA.

CPL Younger relocated to Washington, DC, where he continued his military career in the Army Reserve and began his civilian career with the United States Postal Service for a short period before joining the Metropolitan Police Department in August 1968. Upon completion of the Police Training Academy, he served as Patrol Officer. In 1977 he earned the rank of Sergeant and became a street Supervisor of Patrol Officers. In 1981, he received a promotion to Lieutenant and became the Community Relations Lieutenant in the Fifth District. Lt. Younger was selected to attend the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA and graduated in December 1982. In 1984, he served in a year-long detail with the Police Training Academy with responsibility for development of new promotion exams for prospective Sergeants, Lieutenants, and Captains. In 1987, he was promoted to Captain and accepted an assignment as the commander of the Narcotics Special Investigation Division (NSID).

During the years of 1961 to 1991, Collin made a steady climb through the ranks of the 80th Training Division. He held many positions to include Drill Sergeant, Military Occupation Specialty Instructor and Chief Instructor and in 1984 he accepted his first Command Sergeant Major position. In 1988 he advanced to serve as the CSM for the 80th Division (Training) in Richmond, VA. In August 1991, he retired from the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police, entered the Active Guard Reserve, and was selected to serve as the sixth Command Sergeant Major and Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of Army Reserve. In October that year, the US Army Reserve Command was established at Ft. McPherson, GA and CSM Younger was selected to serve as the First Command Sergeant Major and Senior Enlisted Advisor of that command as well. His term in this dual role ended in April 1996, when CSM Younger continued his service as Command Sergeant Major to the Post Commander of Ft Dix, NJ. In 1998 he moved on once again by accepting the assignment of the Senior Enlisted Advisor for the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs at the Pentagon. CSM Younger received numerous awards and military decorations throughout his service. CSM Younger retired on December 1, 2000, bringing a 41-year career of service to a close.

Collin attended American University while excelling in the ranks with the Metropolitan Police Department and the Army Reserve. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice in 1978.

After retirement, CSM Younger (Ret) relocated to San Antonio, TX and accepted a position with United Services Automobile Association (USAA), Military Affairs in September 2000 as a Program Manager for the National Guard and Reserve Components. He retired from USAA in February of 2013.

Collin leaves us a legacy of love, beautiful memories and service to family and country. He leaves to cherish his memory: a devoted, loving wife, Teresita Beverage Younger; four children Robert O. Beverage and Melissa D. Beverage (Alejandro Altamirano); from his earlier marriage to Frances Kirk Younger, Annette T. Gray and Collin L. Younger Jr. (Sandra Heron); his sisters Bertha Mae Younger Gillis (Lawrence, deceased) of Washington, DC, and Lula Grace Younger Alexander (Mark) of Bowie, MD; a brother Edward L. Younger (Vergie) of Jersey City, NJ; his grandchildren Brooke Gray-Goode (Keisha Goode), Brandon Gray, Collin L. Younger, III, Monte D. Price, Nicholas and Anabelle Altamirano; great-grandchildren Malik, Grayson and Rylan Goode and a host of family and friends.