Robert Wilkie facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert Wilkie
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Official portrait, 2018
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| 10th United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs | |
| In office July 30, 2018 – January 20, 2021 |
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| President | Donald Trump |
| Deputy | James Byrne Pamela J. Powers (acting) |
| Preceded by | David Shulkin |
| Succeeded by | Denis McDonough |
| Acting March 28, 2018 – May 29, 2018 |
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| President | Donald Trump |
| Deputy | Thomas G. Bowman |
| Preceded by | David Shulkin |
| Succeeded by | Peter O'Rourke (acting) |
| 8th Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness | |
| In office November 30, 2017 – July 30, 2018 |
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| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Jessica L. Wright |
| Succeeded by | Matthew Donovan |
| 25th Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs | |
| In office September 29, 2006 – January 19, 2009 Acting: January 31, 2006 – September 29, 2006 |
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| President | George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Dan Stanley |
| Succeeded by | Elizabeth King |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Robert Leon Wilkie Jr.
August 2, 1962 Frankfurt, West Germany |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Julia Wilkie |
| Education | Wake Forest University (BA) Loyola University New Orleans (JD) Georgetown University (LLM) United States Army War College (MS) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
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| Rank | Colonel |
Robert Leon Wilkie Jr. (born August 2, 1962) is an American lawyer and government official. He served as the 10th United States secretary of veterans affairs from 2018 to 2021. This was during the Trump administration.
Before this, he was the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. He held this role from November 2017 to July 2018. Wilkie is also a Naval intelligence officer in the Reserve. He was also Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs under President George W. Bush.
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Early Life and Education
Robert Wilkie was born in Frankfurt, West Germany. He went to school in England at Salisbury Cathedral School. Later, he attended Reid Ross High School in Fayetteville, North Carolina. His father was an Army artillery officer. Wilkie grew up near Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
He earned his B.A. degree from Wake Forest University in North Carolina. In 1988, he received a J.D. degree from Loyola University School of Law. He also has an LL.M. degree in International and Comparative Law. This degree is from Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C.
Wilkie served in the United States Navy Reserve. He is currently in the United States Air Force Reserve. In the Air Force Reserve, he holds the rank of Colonel.
Government Career
Working in Congress
Robert Wilkie worked for many years as a staffer for Republican members of Congress. He started his career as a lawyer for Senator Jesse Helms of North Carolina. Later, he became the legislative director for Representative David Funderburk.
From 1997 to 2003, Wilkie was an advisor to Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott. In this role, he helped with important discussions. These included the rules for using military force after the September 11 attacks.
Roles in the Bush Administration
From 2003 to 2005, Wilkie worked in the George W. Bush administration. He was a special assistant to the President for national security affairs. He also served as a senior director on the National Security Council. He advised Condoleezza Rice and Stephen Hadley, who were National Security Advisors.
Later, he moved to the Pentagon. In 2007, he became the assistant secretary of defense for legislative affairs. He helped create rules about which Defense Department staff could speak to Congress.
Wilkie has received several awards for his service. These include the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service. This is the highest award for a civilian in the Department of Defense.
Private Sector and Return to Government
From 2010 to 2015, Wilkie worked for CH2M Hill. This is an engineering company. He helped with changes to Britain's Ministry of Defence supply system.
From 2015 to 2017, he was a senior advisor to U.S. Senator Thom Tillis.
Serving in the Trump Administration
Robert Wilkie was part of Donald Trump's team when Trump became president. In July 2017, President Trump nominated Wilkie for Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. The Senate approved him in November 2017.
In March 2018, President Trump announced that Wilkie would be the acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs. This was a temporary role. Later, in May 2018, President Trump nominated Wilkie for the full position. The Senate confirmed him on July 23, 2018, with a large majority vote. He officially started as Secretary of Veterans Affairs on July 30, 2018.
In March 2020, the Trump White House also appointed Wilkie to the White House Coronavirus Task Force. This group worked on the country's response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Personal Life
Robert Wilkie is married to Julia Wilkie. They have known each other since they were children.
See also
In Spanish: Robert Wilkie para niños
