I honestly don't know how long a credit bureau keeps a complaint file open, so I can't help you there.
Also, the fact that you've paid the $40 does not necessarily mean the matter comes off your report. It has been awhile since I've dealt with such matters, but I believe there is some type of "late, but paid" category.
The reason I've suggested you talk to your base legal services is that, even assuming you owed the money, which is not clear to me, the items probably should not have been sent to collection while you were overseas. If I am right, then you may be able to resolve the whole mess by simply providing the bureau with proof that you were deployed at the time the collections activity occurred.
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