AFMEDCOM’s new commander Maj. Gen. Sean Collins brings trust, transparency to guiding organization

Story by Maristela Romero

Air Force Medical Service

The Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Gen. David W. Allvin, announced Maj. Gen. Sean Collins as the Air Force Medical Command commander effective Sept. 24, 2024.

Prior to his role as AFMEDCOM commander, Collins served as the director of Space Force Medical Operations, a directorate in the Air Force Medical Service he helped establish in 2019. While serving as director, he also was the Air National Guard Assistant to the Surgeon General in Arlington, Virginia. Collins will continue serving in those positions.

Collins’ appointment is the latest step in ongoing efforts to establish AFMEDCOM. On Aug. 15, the Secretary of the Air Force authorized the Air Force Medical Agency, a field operating agency, to transition into AFMEDCOM, a direct reporting unit that reports directly to the CSAF. Medical leaders have been taking a deliberate, measured approach in establishing the organization and are currently working to staff the headquarters as well as the intermediate management organizations, Medical Readiness Commands Alpha and Bravo. AFMEDCOM is expected to reach its initial operating capability in spring 2025.

Collins discussed his outlook on leading AFMEDCOM as planners continue exercising a phased approach toward achieving IOC. He said his goal is to build trust and continued support for Airmen and Guardians in alignment with the Air Force Medical Service strategic imperatives and to execute the vision led by Lt. Gen. John J. DeGoes, U.S. Air Force and Space Force Surgeon General.

“My number one priority is our members. What we do as medics follows the creed of ‘do no harm,’” Collins said. “During a time of rapid change, the entire leadership team must focus on minimizing that impact. The priority for me is taking care of people in this new structure.”

Collins began his military career as a Guardsman in the 104th Fighter Wing at Barnes Air National Guard Base in Westfield, Massachusetts, where he was commissioned in the Nurse Corps. In his 28 years of service, he has led numerous senior leadership and command positions across the National Capital Region.

“In all these situations I’m working with people, understanding how to innovate, how to work through a problem,” Collins said, emphasizing his goal to engage with Airmen and Guardians across all ranks.

“To me, communication and transparency are absolutely critical to being engaged,” he said. “As a commander, people have to have a level of trust in your decision making, that you’re doing what’s best for the organization.”

As the AFMS and its people evolve together, Collins encouraged its community to embrace change and trust in the leadership who are advocating for them.

“Rest assured that the command has our total force’s (active duty, civilian, guard, and reserve) well-being as a central part of meeting the mission,” he said. “Sometimes people ask, what’s the number one priority? Is it the people or the mission? People are the mission. It’s one and the same. They are inseparable.”