Corporal Kevin Wilkins

Wilmington, DE

As so many young men and women do, I found myself looking for something to belong to. I strived to serve something greater than myself, and knew that college would have been a true loss directly out of high school. Growing up in a military officer family (every generation), it was a hard hit when I informed my father, a retired Marine LtCol of my enlistment, he was shocked. As a "mustanger" (enlisted turned officer), he knew that a long road lay ahead of me. A road that I was unsure about, but ready to take on with everything that I had. Four years in the Marine, 3 and a half with the Nation's elite ceremonial drill platoon, and many many life-long friendships later, I was at the end of the road. Those Marines that I was fortunate to serve under, above, and beside defined who I am and what I stand for to this day. With the motivation, discipline, and desire to serve something greater than myself, instilled by my four too short years in the Corps, I transition to college, sped through in two and a half years with honors, and found myself working at the White House and now in another government service position. Service of country is where my life has taken me, and I am leaving my current appointment to serve in the Peace Corps next fall. The Marines gave this to me. I earned it, but I feel that this gift is what got me here with a little bit of work.