Staff Sergeant Wilkie

Staff Sergeant Ira James Wilkie of Belcourt, North Dakota, enlisted in the Marine Corps in September of 1997. SSgt Wilkie completed basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego CA where he was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Private First Class. He attended Marine Combat Training at Camp Pendleton CA and completed the Aviation Operations Specialist course at Naval Air Station Meridian, MS where he was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal. In June of 1998, SSgt Wilkie received orders to Marine Aircraft Group 11 aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar CA where he served as an Operations Clerk.

In 1999, SSgt Wilkie was transferred to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314 where he served as Operations Clerk and Operations Chief and was promoted to the ranks of Corporal and Sergeant. During this tour, he participated in two western pacific deployments aboard the USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) in support of Operations SOUTHERN WATCH and ENDURING FREEDOM.

SSgt Wilkie received orders to Drill Instructor School, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, CA in the fall of 2002. He was assigned to Company M, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion where he served as a Drill Instructor and Senior Drill Instructor from 2003 to 2005 and was promoted to current grade. He was then assigned to the Academic Instruction Platoon, Instructional Training Company where he served as an Academic Instructor specializing in Marine Corps History and General Military Subjects until January 2006.

SSgt Wilkie received orders to Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 3, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing where he served as Operations Chief (Rear Detachment) , Current Operations Chief, and Substance Abuse Control Officer. During this tour, SSgt Wilkie completed a thirteen month deployment in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.

In the summer of 2009, SSgt Wilkie was transfered to Company A, Marine Officer Candidates School at Marine Corps Base, Quantico, VA where he served as a Sergeant Instructor enroute to his current assignment as the Assistant Marine Officer Instructor at the University of Idaho.

SSgt Wilkie's personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievment Medal with gold star in lieu of second award. He is married to the former Zoe Suzanne Tucker of San Diego, CA.