A native of Detroit, Michigan, BGen Collins enlisted in the Marine Corps in May 1990. Following recruit training and the School of Infantry, he reported to Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. Commissioned in May 1995, BGen Collins completed the Basic School and the Logistics Officers’ Course and was designated a Logistics Officer.
His operating forces assignments have included Maintenance Management Officer, Embarkation Officer, and Assistant Logistics Officer at 1st Battalion, 10th Marines; Logistics and Operations Officer for Marine Forces Unitas; Combat Service Support Detachment Commander, Company Commander, Logistics Officer and Operations Officer for 3d Transportation Support Battalion; G-3 Future Operations and Plans Officer, 1st Marine Logistics Group; Executive Officer of Combat Logistics Battalion 1; Commanding Officer, Combat Logistics Battalion 26, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit; and Assistant Chief of Staff, G-4, 3d Marine Division.
BGen Collins’ supporting establishment assignments have included Academics Officer and Officer in Charge, Operations Instructional Section, Logistics Operations School, Marine Corps Combat Service Support Schools; Assistant Operations Officer and Platoon Commander, Officer Candidates’ School; and Current Operations Section Head within the Operations Division, Plans, Policies and Operations Department, Headquarters U.S. Marine Corps. BGen Collins served in the Office of the Secretary of Defense as a Military Assistant to the Department of Defense Chief Information Officer and Military Assistant to the Executive Secretary of the Department of Defense. He served as the Commanding Officer, Marine Corps Logistics Operations Group, Marine Corps Air-Ground Task Force Training Command and was most recently assigned as the Director, Logistics Combat Element Integration Division, Capabilities Development Directorate, Combat Development and Integration, Headquarters U.S. Marine Corps.
BGen Collins has participated in combat operations during Operation Enduring Freedom II, serving as the Deputy Operations Officer in the Logistics and Resources Directorate, Office of Military Cooperation – Afghanistan; Future Operations and Plans Officer, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward) during Operation Iraqi Freedom 08.1 and 08.2; and Executive Officer for Combat Logistics Battalion 1 during Operation Enduring Freedom Afghanistan 09.1. His service with Combat Logistics Battalion 26 included deployment with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit and support to contingency response in NORTHCOM, EUCOM, AFRICOM and CENTCOM areas of responsibility.
BGen Collins assumed his present duties as Deputy Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve and U.S. Marine Corps Forces South on 30 June 2022.
BGen Collins is a graduate of the Amphibious Warfare School, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, the U.S. Army School of Advanced Military Studies, the Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy, and the United Kingdom Higher Command and Staff Course. He holds a BA in Public Administration from Miami University (Magna Cum Laude) and Master of Military Arts and Sciences (MMAS) from both the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and School of Advanced Military Studies. He earned a Master of Science degree in National Security and Resource Strategy from the Dwight D. Eisenhower School at the National Defense University, where he was designated a Distinguished Graduate.