Lieutenant Commander Kevin Wilkinson
Chaplain Kevin Wilkinson is 43 years old and graduated from Western High School in Kokomo, Indiana in 1995. He is a 1999 graduate of Harding University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Bible. In 2001 he earned a Master of Arts in Religion at Abilene Christian University. He then served over five years working with churches in California and Oregon. In 2008 he completed a Master of Divinity at Abilene Christian University.
In November 2009 he received his commission as a Lieutenant Junior Grade in the United States Navy. In March 2010 he graduated from Naval Chaplaincy School and Center after completing Officer Development School. He then reported to 1st Marine Division at Camp Pendleton and was assigned to 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion.
In February 2011 Lieutenant Wilkinson was reassigned to 1st Battalion, 4th Marines. He deployed as the Battalion Landing Team Chaplain with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. He supported multiple exercises in the Indo-Pacific region, including time aboard USS DENVER, USS TORTUGA, USS GERMANTOWN and USS ESSEX.
In October 2012 he reported to Naval Base Kitsap in Bremerton, Washington, serving as a staff chaplain until April 2014. He was then reassigned to serve as CREDO Deputy Director for Commander Navy Region Northwest. He led over 60 resiliency retreats and workshops supporting operational service members and their dependents.
In December 2015 he reported to Commander Destroyer Squadron 31 in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He supported 18 destroyer ships spread out across 3rd and 7th Fleet. Also, he completed two Surface Action Group deployments in 2016 and 2017, supporting USS SPRUANCE, USS DECATUR, USS MOMSEN, USS STERETT and USS DEWEY.
In August 2018 he reported to Naval Medical Center San Diego, assigned to Navy and VA hospital wards. In September 2019 Lieutenant Commander Wilkinson completed Clinical Pastoral Education and reported to 1st Marine Division, Headquarters Battalion.
Chaplain Wilkinson and his wife, Jenny, have been married for 19 years. They have two children. His personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (three awards). Also, he has earned the Fleet Marine Force Qualified Officer pin and completed Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) Phase I program from the Naval War College.