Robert Wilkie

The Honorable Robert Wilkie has over 20 years of federal service at the national and international levels. Mr. Wilkie is the tenth Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Before this, however, Mr. Wilkie served as Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness and as a Colonel in the United States Air Force Reserve assigned to the Office of the Chief of Staff. Before that, he served in the United States Navy Reserve. He also served as Assistant Secretary of Defense from 2005–2009, and he was the youngest senior leader in the Department. Mr. Wilkie was also Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs and a senior director of the National Security Council. He also has extensive experience in the United States Congress, including recent service as Senior Advisor to Senator Thom Tillis and as Counsel and Advisor on International Security Affairs to the Senate Majority Leader. Mr. Wilkie holds an Honors degree, a Juris Doctor, and two Master's degrees; and he has published articles in the Naval War College Review, Armed Forces Journal International, and elsewhere. He holds many personal decorations including the Defense Distinguished Public Service Medal, the highest non-career civilian award of the Department.