Col. Curtis B. Hudson, deputy commanding officer, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, addresses friends, family, and fellow soldiers following his promotion to the rank of colonel, March 14, 2012 outside the brigade’s headquarters on East Fort Bliss, Texas. Hudson, a native of Newport, Tenn., attended Cocke County High School and continued his education at the University of Tennessee, where he received a degree in international relations. Hudson was also active in the Reserve Officer Training Corp and received his commission as an Armor officer after graduating in 1989. Since entering the active Army service in 1990, Hudson has served on eight deployments and has filled positions from tank platoon leader to battalion commander.