 Collins graduated from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff School in 1934 and the U.S. Army War College in 1935.He then served again in Hawaii, and in 1938 moved to Vancouver Barracks, Washington, where he was the Plans, Operations and Training Officer (S3) for the 7th Infantry Regiment, and then commanded the regiment's 1st Battalion.After his battalion command he served as regimental executive officer until being assigned as assistant plans, operations and training officer (G3) and then intelligence officer (G2) for the 6th Infantry Division at Fort Snelling.