Bulldog Battalion Graduate Marks 25 Years of Distinguished Service

Proud Alabama A&M University Bulldog Battalion alumna Col. Amanda Watkins was recently promoted to the rank of colonel during a pinning ceremony at Bob Jones Auditorium on Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, marking 25 years of distinguished military service.

Watkins, a native of Atmore, Alabama, earned a Bachelor of Science in art with a minor in marketing from Alabama A&M in May 2005 and was commissioned into the Army Chemical Corps through the University’s ROTC program. She and her husband, Maj. Quinton Watkins, met as cadets in the Bulldog Battalion and were commissioned together at AAMU. The couple has been married for 16 years and has one daughter, Elise.

Watkins enlisted in the Alabama Army National Guard in 2001. After completing basic training and returning to AAMU, her first sergeant encouraged her to join ROTC and pursue a commission as an officer. She has since served four years in the Alabama Army National Guard and 21 years on active duty.

Over the past two decades, Watkins has deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and served in a wide range of operational and strategic assignments. As an army acquisition officer, she has held several key positions, including assistant product manager, executive officer, human resources command assignment officer and policy integrator for the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1, at the Pentagon. In 2025, she completed battalion-level command at Program Executive Office (PEO) Aviation at Redstone Arsenal.

In 2024, Watkins was selected to attend senior service college at the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base for the 2025-26 academic year. She is currently stationed in Montgomery, Alabama, pursuing a Master of Science in Strategic Studies. She is scheduled to graduate May 16, 2026.

“I currently serve as an army acquisition officer, managing defense programs in the Missiles and Aviation portfolios,” Watkins said. “What I enjoy most about my profession is providing advanced technology to our service members while working alongside some of the best officers and civilians in our army. The technology we deliver not only protects warfighters while deployed but also contributes to keeping our country safe domestically.”

Watkins said serving as an Army officer has been one of the greatest honors of her life.

“Being an Army officer is not something I take lightly,” she said. “This profession has allowed me to meet people from all walks of life, see parts of the world I never imagined, learn from remarkable leaders, and lead some of America’s best and brightest soldiers and civilians.”

Among her favorite assignments was serving as company commander of A/1-48, 3rd Chemical Brigade at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, during the peak of the troop surge from 2008 to 2010.

“Alongside my first sergeant, drill sergeants and staff, we trained over 1,000 initial-entry trainees, transforming civilians into soldiers,” she said. “My assignment at the Pentagon was also a highlight, as it allowed me to serve at the headquarters of the Department of the Army, and gain valuable insights into how the Army operates.”

Watkins credits Alabama A&M for laying the foundation for her leadership journey.

“The A&M ROTC program provided me with a strong foundation of leadership that I still rely on today,” she said. “Although the program was demanding, the Bulldog Battalion invested a remarkable level of care, mentorship, and commitment into developing us. This investment continues to guide me each day.”

While on The Hill, Watkins was also a member of Phi Beta Lambda Business Fraternity and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She said those organizations helped shape her personally and professionally, offering mentorship and lifelong connections.

Those who choose a life of military service rarely stay in one place for long, often building community wherever duty calls.

“Moving every 2–3 years can be challenging, but it has allowed our family to live in various states and build wonderful friendships and connections across the country,” she said. “We have been fortunate to be stationed at Redstone Arsenal twice, making our military life much easier by being near family and friends.”

After completing the Air War College in May 2026, Watkins will assume her next assignment as portfolio acquisition executive, FIRES, returning to Redstone Arsenal — just minutes from her alma mater and the Bulldog Battalion that helped launch her career. It's also where her husband is stationed.

Reflecting on her promotion, Watkins emphasized the milestone represents more than individual achievement.

“This promotion is not solely my achievement; it represents the guidance, mentorship, and trust of those who have encouraged me to grow, adapt, and lead,” she said. “As I enter this new level of responsibility, I see this promotion as another opportunity to serve with humility, integrity, and purpose. I will always remember that true leadership is about service, mentorship, and empowering others.”

As she prepares to return to North Alabama, Watkins hopes her success reflects the promise of her alma mater.

“I hope that my journey will inspire those who may choose the military as a career and encourage any high school student to attend AAMU, where they can definitely ‘Start Here and Go Anywhere!’”