COL. John M. Wilcox
Fort Liberty Garrison Commander
Colonel (COL) John Wilcox graduated from The Virginia Military Institute and earned his commission in the Military Police (MP) Corps in 1999. During his time in the MP Corps, he served in numerous leadership roles, including Platoon Leader, Special Reaction Team Leader, Company Commander, and Iraqi 1st Mechanized National Police Transition Team Military Police Advisor Operation Iraqi Freedom.
COL Wilcox volunteered to join Special Operations Civil Affairs (CA) in 2007. As a tactical CA Soldier, COL Wilcox served as Team Leader, CA Team 714, Company Operations Officer, A Company, 97th CA Battalion (A)(SO), and Commander A Company, 97th Civil Affairs Battalion (A)(SO). He deployed twice to the Philippines in support of Operation Enduring Freedom- Philippines where he synchronized and integrated CA operations throughout the Mindanao region. COL Wilcox worked closely with the Philippines Civil Military Operations School to standardize their CA doctrine and establish CA units. COL Wilcox assumed command of 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne) in 2017. The Battalion is responsible for evaluation, training, and qualification of U.S. Army, Sister Service, and Allied CA Soldiers providing DoD the capability to conduct worldwide CA in support of the General Purpose and Special Operations Forces in ambiguous and complex environments.
COL Wilcox’ other CA assignements include: Chief of Plans 95th CA Brigade (A) (SO), CA Advisor United States Forces Afghanistan, Assistant Chief of Staff G-9, 2nd Infantry Division. COL Wilcox’s most recent assignment was Deputy Chief of Staff G-5 for US Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) in 2021.
COL Wilcox deployed to Afghanistan as part of North Atlantic Treaty Organization Special Operations Component Command-Afghanistan as the Director of the Afghan Local Police Special Operations Advisory Cell, where he was responsible for shutting down the $60 million program consisting of approximately 30,000 Afghan Guardians across the entire country.
COL Wilcox holds Masters degrees from the Naval Postgraduate School and the Army War College.
COL Wilcox’ awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (1 OLC, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Army Meritorious Service Medal (5 OLC), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (1 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (1 OLC), Iraq Campaign Service Medal (1 Star), and the Afghanistan Campaign Service Medal (1 Star). COL Wilcox earned the Combat Action Badge, and Master Parachutist Badge.