Colonel James M. Collins graduated from The Citadel and was commissioned as a Field Artillery Officer in 1997. Colonel Collins serves as the Chief, House Liaison Division, Office of the Chief Legislative Liaison. Prior to arriving to Washington, D.C, Colonel Collins served as a Military Advisor, Combined Joint Task Force, Operation Inherent Resolve in Baghdad, Iraq.
Throughout his career, he has served in several command and staff assignments, including multiple operational deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003), Operation Enduring Freedom (2010), Operation Spartan Shield and Operation Inherent Resolve (2015) and Operation Inherent Resolve (2021). In addition to the deployments, he has extensive experience in the joint and combined environment with over a decade serving alongside NATO forces in Europe.
Other notable assignments include Brigade Commander, 1st Armored Division at Fort Bliss, Texas, Field Artillery Branch Chief, Army Human Resources Command at Fort Knox Kentucky, Battalion Commander, 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kansas.
His military education includes the Field Artillery Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, U.S. Air Force Command and General Staff College, the United Kingdom’s Joint Service Command and Staff College and U.S. Army War College.
Awards and decorations include, but not limited to, the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Serve Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal. He has also earned the Combat Action Badge and the Parachutist Badge.
Colonel Collins has been married to the former Amy Gee since 2005. They have one child, Gretchen (13 years old). They are proud to be a resilient military family.