Governor McCrory Appoints Retired Marine General As Military Affairs Advisor | Eastern NC Now

    Press Release:

    Raleigh, NC - Governor Pat McCrory announced Cornell A. Wilson Jr. as his newly appointed military affairs advisor today. General Wilson is a retired Major General of the United States Marine Corps.

    "General Wilson's experience aligns with the growing global responsibilities of the commands based in our state," Governor McCrory said. "He will be a vital link in ensuring the armed forces get the support they need to carry out their mission. He will also continue the tradition of regarding every person serving our nation and their families as an integral part of the North Carolina community."

    General Wilson's experience includes providing more than 4,500 Marines in support of the Haiti earthquake disaster relief and recovery operation while he served as Commanding General, U.S. Marine Forces, Southern Command, as well as serving as Deputy Commander, Marine Forces Command. This position included responsibilities such as oversight of a $1.5 billion annual budget in support of more than 81,000 Marines and civilians.

    He served as Commanding General, U.S. Marine Forces, Europe/Africa as well, where he planned and organized the establishment of Marine Forces' support to the newly created Africa Command. He was responsible for Marine operations in support of the Combatant Commanders for both Europe and Africa as well as the training of Partner Nation armed forces in the 92 countries that encompassed both Commands.

    General Wilson also served as the Commanding General for a multinational, joint task force in Kuwait/Iraq during a combat tour in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

    He also served as Director of Reserve Affairs, reporting directly to the Deputy Commandant of the Marine Corps for Manpower. His duties during this tour included assignment to the Marine Corps' Operations and Plans Directorate in the Pentagon to oversee worldwide current operations, among other responsibilities.

    General Wilson will represent the governor in matters relating to business and economic development in the military and defense community. As of March 2013, nearly 110,000 active duty military personnel were assigned to units in North Carolina, making the state the third-largest military population in the country. The military supports 540,000 jobs in the state, including $30 billion in state personal income and $48 billion in gross state product. The military supports roughly 10 percent of the economic activity in North Carolina.

    He will also advise the governor on operations and plans associated with the state's six major Department of Defense and Homeland Security commands and installations. He will also represent the respective communities surrounding these bases with a specific focus on base and training area sustainability (air, land and sea), quality of life, infrastructure and economic development.

    The advisor also serves as the daily point of contact in the Governor's Office for the commanders of our major commands and installations (except for the NC National Guard, which reports to the Secretary of Public Safety).

    General Wilson lives in Charlotte, North Carolina with his wife. They have one son and two daughters, and are expecting a grandson in early 2014.

    Wilson's appointment begins Monday, October 21, 2013.


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        Email: govpress@nc.gov