Stephen Collins is a native of New Castle, Delaware. Upon graduation from Saint Joseph's University with a Bachelor of Science in Finance in May 2012, Major Collins commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and attended The Basic School in Quantico, VA from April 2013 to October 2013. Major Collins then attended the Infantry Officers Course from January 2014 to April 2014.
After completing the course, Major Collins reported to 2d Battalion, 2d Marines in Camp Lejeune, NC in April 2014. During this tour, he served as a Rifle Platoon Commander, Company Executive Officer, Georgian Liaison Team Infantry Advisor, and deployed in support of the Black Sea Rotational Force to Romanian and the Resolute Support Mission to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. While deployed with Georgian Liaison Team Rotation 3, Major Collins worked to defend more than 20km of base perimeter by coordinating the efforts of joint, combined, and interagency personnel.
In January 2017, Major Collins reported to Marine Corps Security Cooperation Group's (MCSCG) European Regional Section and served as the Security Cooperation Engagement Officer. During this tour, Major Collins supported security cooperation engagements to include coaching Georgian Liaison Teams, conducting bi-lateral and multinational exercise assessments, and leading a Coordination Liaison Visit with the Commandant of Ukrainian Naval Infantry in Odessa, Ukraine. While at MCSCG, Major Collins completed Expeditionary Warfare School Blended Seminar Program.
In February 2020, Major Collins reported to 3d Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment and served as the Assistant Operations Officer. He then reported to Special Purpose MAGTF Crisis Response CENTCOM Command Element 21.1 as the Current Operations Officer and deployed to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. During this tour, Major Collins managed the SPMAGTF Crisis Response Operations Center during the MAGTF's relocation to Saudi Arabia and during the Noncombatant Evacuation Operation in Afghanistan, Operation Allies Refuge.
In January 2022, Major Collins reported to 5th Marine Regiment and served as the Company Commander for Headquarters Company. During this tour, Major Collins postured the company to support 5th Marines infantry battalions through two Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluations, one deployment in support of the 31st MEU, one re-deployment from the 13th MEU, and a host of other training exercises while the regiment's Alpha Command deployed in support of Marine Rotational Forces - Darwin.
In August 2022, Major Collins reported to Tactical Training and Exercise Control Group (TTECG) to serve as the Officer-In-Charge of Infantry Team 3 in the Maneuver Section. While at TTECG, Major Collins held the Platoon Supported Urban Attack (Range 205), Company Supported Attack (Range 400), Company Supported Urban Attack (Range 230), and Battalion Urban Field Exercise (Range 220) Corridor Qualifications, served as the lead planner for the Adversary Force Exercise, and ultimately increased the combat readiness and lethality of infantry battalions across the Service. While at TTECG, Major Collins completed Marine Corps Command and Staff College.
In June 2025, Major Collins reported to Site Support Buffalo, NY to serve as the Inspector-Instructor of Company C, 1st Battalion, 25th Marines.
Major Collins' personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal gold star in-lieu of second award, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.