WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Robert Wilkie, Senator Thom Tillis’ senior advisor, was confirmed by the unanimous consent of the Senate as Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness.
Wilkie has served as Senator Tillis’ senior advisor since he took office in 2015, advising him on national security and military issues. Tillis currently serves as the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel, which handles all quality of life issues for service members and military families. Wilkie previously served as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs under Robert Gates and Donald Rumsfeld. He also served as Special Assistant to President George W. Bush for National Security Affairs and as Senior Director of the National Security Council under Dr. Condoleezza Rice.
Wilkie is assigned to the Headquarters of the United States Air Force. Prior to joining the Air Force, Wilkie served in the United States Navy Reserve with Naval Special Warfare Group Two and the Office of Naval Intelligence. Wilkie is a graduate of the College of Naval Command and Staff, Air Command and Staff College, the United States Army War College, and the Joint Forces Staff College. He is the recipient of the Defense Distinguished Public Service Medal, the highest civilian award of the Department.
Wilkie, a native of Fayetteville, North Carolina, holds a Juris Doctor from Loyola University of New Orleans, a Master of Laws in International and Comparative Law from Georgetown University, a Master’s in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College, and an Honors degree in Politics from Wake Forest University.
Senator Tillis issued the following statement:
“Robert Wilkie is deeply respected by North Carolina’s military community and elected officials on both sides of the aisle. It’s no surprise that he has been unanimously confirmed by the Senate to serve as the next Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. Robert has been indispensable as my senior advisor over the last three years, playing a vital role in ensuring that North Carolina’s military installations have the resources and assets they need to serve America’s national security mission. I’m excited to continue working closely with Robert on behalf of our brave service members and military families in North Carolina and across the nation.”
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