Scobey Native, Green Beret, Sworn In as Florida’s New Lt. Gov

"Florida's new lieutenant governor is named Jay Collins. He's a decorated Green Beret having served 23 years on active duty, was involved in a lot of campaigns" as Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) describes him. He's also a Scobey, Montana native.

My friends from Scobey started shooting me notes shortly after he was sworn in as Florida's Lt. Governor back on August 12th. "He's from Scobey!" I told all of them to tell Jay to join us on the radio one of these days.

According to his bio on the Florida Governor's website, Jay Collins was born in Scobey and served in the United States Army from 1995 to 2018, including as member of the United States Army Special Forces.

His military awards and decorations include the Combat Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Military Freefall Parachutist Badge, Legion of Merit, Soldier's Medal, Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and numerous other personal, unit, and service awards. He is also a recipient of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command's Major General John K. Singlaub/Jedburgh Award.

In a video conversation with Collings, Governor De Santis shared a little bit more about his incredible background.

Gov DeSantis: "Somewhat unique about Jay is, you know, he ended up losing one of his legs as a result of his service, and rather than take a medical retirement which he was entitled to, he decided to re up and serve five more years as a Green Beret with a prosthetic leg. And he's continued to exude service above self in Florida as a state senator, and has been one of our most productive Florida senators. He's also, prior to becoming lieutenant governor, was a leader in a hurricane relief organization that would immediately be there in the aftermath of these major hurricanes, providing food and nutrition for first responders as well as displaced residents. And he even is expeditionary- when Florida's doing things overseas, like rescue people from Israel, he's on the ground doing it and doing it very well."

See and hear more from Lt. Gov Collins and Gov DeSantis in the video below: