COLUMBIANA, Ala. (WTVM) – A Brazilian native, now living in central Alabama, recently deployed for the first time. The Army National Guardsman also owns and operates a martial arts studio in Columbiana.
Abreu Campos serves in the Army National Guard with great pride.
“It’s to pay back and give back to the country that gives me a chance to become somebody to be what I am today,” Abreu Campos said.
Campos – who joined the U.S. Military in 2021 – just deployed for the first time, representing the country he’s called home for 15 years.
“Even though I’m born in a different country, and speak a little different, still once I put on that uniform and have that flag on my shoulder. They don’t treat me any differently. I’m just another brother. Just another one of them,” Campos said.
When Campos is in his Martial Arts studio, he’s known as Professor Hi-O. Devin Shumate and Trent Langford are two of his longtime students.
Campos is now a big reason that both of them decided to join him in the Army National Guard. All three of them are deploying in the infantry division for the first time.
“I have two people by my side that I know very well. I’ve known for years now. Professor is like my father, so I’m pretty much deploying with my dad,” Shumate said.
“Having somebody come from Brazil over here and being proud to serve in the military, it makes me proud to serve. I’m glad that we’re here for each other. We’re getting to take a piece of home with us, so that’s a good feeling,” Langford said.
“I noticed that since day one they started training here, they are very committed. Very disciplined. I always thought that the military would be something that would fit perfectly on them,” Campos said.
A relationship that started through Jiu Jitsu in Shelby County near Birmingham is entering a new chapter as they serve in the United States military together.
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date: 2026-02-11 00:13:00
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