BENTONVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Lieutenant Colonel Willie Carnes has been participating in the Army Career Skills Program to more easily integrate into civilian life following his retirement in February 2026.

Lt. Col. Carnes, originally from Hot Springs, joined the military at the age of 17 when he signed up for the Arkansas Army National Guard while still attending high school. He was a part of the 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry in Malvern.

"I spent about nine years in the Arkansas Army National Guard and deployed with them to Baghdad, Iraq, in 2004," Carnes said. "That's when I decided this is something I want to do full-time. So, I came back, finished my National Guard contract, and went to officer candidate school at Fort Benning, Georgia. And then the last 18 years have been an activ

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