Expeditionary Operations Training Group
Officer In Charge
Col Wilson currently serves as Officer-in-Charge of III MEF’s Expeditionary Operations and Training Group, Okinawa, Japan.
Recruit Wilson reported to Boot Camp at MCRD San Diego on 5 July 1981. Following boot camp, PFC Wilson was transferred to Pensacola, Florida, where he was trained as an electronic intelligence (ELINT) analyst. Cpl Wilson was assigned to VMAQ-2 squadron at Cherry Point, North Carolina in June 1982, completing two deployments to Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines. From June 1985 to June 1986, Sgt Wilson served as an ELINT instructor at Point Mugu, California. While at Point Mugu, he was selected for the MECEP program and attended the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona. SSgt Wilson graduated from the University of Arizona in December 1988 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and was commissioned a 2nd Lt.
2nd Lt Wilson graduated from The Basic School and completed infantry training in November 1989, reporting in December to 1st Battalion, 5th Marines at Camp Pendleton, California. He served with 1/5 as a Platoon Commander with Charlie Company, Heavy Machine Gun Platoon Commander, XO of Alpha Company, and as CO of Weapons Company. While in 1/5, he deployed to Saudi Arabia for Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm with Task Force Ripper. 1st Lt Wilson reported aboard the USS Kitty Hawk in September 1992, where he served as the XO and later CO of the MarDet for two deployments to the Persian Gulf with the Kitty Hawk Battle Group. Capt Wilson departed the USS Kitty Hawk in July 1995 and attended the Command & Control Systems Course at Quantico, Virginia. He reported for duty with 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines at Camp Pendleton, California in July 1996, where he served as the CO of H&S Company, and then as the CO of Golf Company, deploying with 31st MEU from Okinawa, Japan.
In July 1998, Capt Wilson reported to RTR at MCRD, San Diego, California, where he served as the Assistant Ops Officer. In April 1999, Maj Wilson was reassigned to 3rd Recruit Training Battalion as the XO. Maj Wilson departed San Diego in June 2000 to attend the Command & Staff College at Quantico, Virginia, graduating in June 2001 as a Distinguished Graduate with a Master of Science Degree in Military Science. Maj Wilson commanded Recruiting Station San Diego from June 2001 to July 2004. Maj Wilson then reported to I MEF in July 2004. He deployed with I MEF Fwd in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from August 2004 through March 2005, serving in G-3 Future Ops, and as later as the G-3 Current Ops Officer. LtCol Wilson returned from a second OIF tour in Iraq with I MEF Fwd in June 2006, having served as the G-3, Deputy Current Ops Officer. He then assumed command of Infantry Training Battalion at Camp Pendleton, California, serving as the CO from July 2006 through June 2008. LtCol Wilson attended the National War College in Washington, DC, where he graduated in June 2009 with a Master of Science Degree in National Security Strategy. LtCol Wilson reported to the Joint Staff at the Pentagon in June 2009 and served as the Afghanistan Division Chief in the J5 until June 2011. He was promoted to Col effective 1 May 2010, and completed a command tour as the Commanding Officer of Weapons & Field Training Battalion, Parris Island, from July 2011 to July 2013, following which, he served as Third Marine Division’s Chief-of-Staff from August 2013 to June 2015.
Col Wilson’s awards include: the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with two gold stars, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with combat "V", Combat Action Ribbon with gold star, and the Good Conduct Medal with bronze star.