Lieutenant Colonel Brett Collins graduated from Oregon State University in 2005 with a B.S. in Economics.  He accepted a commission in the United States Marine Corps in August of that year through the Platoon Leader’s Course and completed the Basic Officer’s Course in July 2006.  After earning his aviation wings in August 2008, he completed AH-1W FRS training and reported to HMLA-269 in March 2009.

 While assigned to HMLA-269 from March 2009 to July 2015, Lieutenant Colonel Collins served in various staff billets and deployed in support of OIF-9.2, OEF-11, and with VMM-263 (REIN) in 2014 as the ACE of 22 MEU (SOC).  He is an AH-1 instructor pilot and graduate of the MAWTS-1 Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course.

In July 2015, Lieutenant Colonel Collins reported to Expeditionary Warfare School in Quantico, VA.  While attending the resident school, he simultaneously completed Command and Staff College (CDET) with distinction.  From Quantico, Lieutenant Colonel Collins was selected to serve as the AH-1 foreign personnel exchange program officer to the United Kingdom to fly the Lynx Wildcat.  He reported to the Commando Helicopter Force in July 2016.   

While assigned as the WTI to 847 Naval Air Squadron in Yeovilton, England, he conducted numerous deployments and exercises including: Standing NATO Maritime Group aboard HMS Ocean, HA/DR operations in the Caribbean, Jeanne D’Arc deployment aboard French Ship BPC Dixmude, and arctic and mountain training in Bardufoss, Norway. 

He received orders back to MAG-29 in August 2019 and returned to HMLA-269 after completing AH-1Z series conversion training. There he served as Gunrunner Operations Officer, Director of Safety and Standardization, and supported MAG-29 as a Senior Watch Officer during MAGTF Warfighting Exercise.   

From 2021 to 2024, he served as the BISOG and Aviation Program Development Officer at Headquarters Marine Corps, Programs and Resources. He was selected for command of MWHS-1 during this tour and executed orders in Okinawa in July 2024.

Lieutenant Colonel Collins’ decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (strike-flight), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.