Lt. Col. Robert Wilkins assumed the duties as the deputy district commander of the St. Paul District July 2021. Prior to this assignment, he served at Fort Hood, Texas, as the executive officer of the 36th Engineer Brigade, as well as the executive officer and then the operations officer of the 3rd Brigade Engineer Battalion.
A native of Washington, Lt. Col. Wilkins earned his commission through Campbell University in North Carolina with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology in May 2006. He earned a Master of Science degree in Geological Engineering from the University of Missouri, Rolla. He earned his certification as a Project Management Professional after attending the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
Upon completion of the Engineer Officers Basic Course and the Sapper Leader Course, Lt. Col. Wilkins was assigned to the 92nd Engineer Battalion at Fort Stewart, Georgia, where he served as a vertical construction platoon leader in Iraq and a company executive officer. While stationed with the 92nd Engineer Battalion, he also activated and commanded the 530th Clearance Company. His next assignment took him to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, where he served as a planner for the 555th Engineer Brigade and the 14th Engineer Battalion before assuming command of the 610th Engineer Support Company. Lt. Col. Wilkins then joined the 5th Armor Brigade at Fort Bliss, Texas, leading a team of construction observer/coaches assisting Reserve and National Guard forces mobilized for deployment. Upon completion of the Command and General Staff College, Lt. Col. Wilkins spent a year in Korea as the deputy division engineer for the 2nd Infantry Division working with our Republic of Korea Army allies before rejoining his family at Fort Hood, Texas.
Lt. Col. Wilkins is a graduate of the Engineer Officer Basic and Advance Courses; the Army Command and General Staff College; the Army Strategic Studies Program; the Red Team Program; and the Sapper Leader Course. His awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (4 OLC), Army Commendation Medal (2 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (1 OLC), Iraq Campaign Medal and the Korean Defense Service Medal. He is a recipient of the MG Aubrey “Red” Newman Award for Leader Development.