Colonel Marilyn D. Wills is a native of Monroe, Louisiana. As a Distinguished Military Graduate, she was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Regular Army upon graduating in May 1983.
Education
She holds the following degrees:
- Associate Degree in Law Enforcement – Southern University, Baton Rouge, LA
- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Psychology – Grambling State University, Grambling, LA
- Master of Science in Counseling Psychology – Bowie State University, Bowie, MD
- Master of Science in National Resources Strategy – The Industrial College of the Armed Forces (War College), Fort McNair, Washington, DC
- Ph.D. in Humane Letters – Grambling State University, Grambling, LA
Military Education
Her military education includes:
- United States Military Police Officers Basic Course & Advanced Course – Ft. McClellan, AL
- Physical Security Course – Ft. McClellan, AL
- Dynamics of International Terrorism & Department of Anti-Terrorism Course – Ft. Myers, FL
- U.S. Secret Service Course – Washington, DC
- Combined Armed Service Staff College & Command and General Staff College – Ft. Leavenworth, KS
- Senior Service College at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces – Ft. McNair, Washington, DC
- Lean Six Sigma – Ft. Belvoir, VA
- U.S. Army Inspector General Course – Ft. Belvoir, VA
- Joint Inspector General Course – Ft. Belvoir, VA
- Army Corrections and Parole Board – Crystal City, VA
Assignments
Colonel Wills has held a variety of assignments, including:
- Platoon Leader & Executive Officer – 258th Military Police Company, Ft. Polk, LA
- Platoon Leader – Tegucigalpa, Honduras
- Executive Officer – Fort Monroe Military Police Company, Ft. Monroe, VA
- Deputy Provost Marshal – Provost Marshal Office, Ft. Monroe, VA
- Operations Officer – 3rd Infantry Division Provost Marshal Office, Würzburg, Germany
- Provost Marshal – Schweinfurt Military Community, Schweinfurt, Germany
- Commander – 204th Military Police Company, Stuttgart, Germany
- MACOM Operations Officer – Military District of Washington Provost Marshal, Ft. McNair, Washington, DC
- Adjutant, United States Corps of Cadets – United States Military Academy, West Point, NY
- Force Protection Officer – Military Police Branch, Armed Forces Inaugural Committee, Suitland, MD
- Provost Marshal – Fort Myer Military Community, Ft. Myer, VA
- Congressional Affairs Contact Officer – Deputy Chief of Staff, Army Personnel, The Pentagon
- Chief, Military Personnel Branch – The Joint Staff, The Pentagon
- Division Chief, Joint Staff Support Services Office – The Pentagon
- The Joint Staff Inspector General – The Joint Staff, The Pentagon
- Senior Board Member, Army Review Board Agency – Crystal City, VA
- U.S. Forces Inspector General – United States Forces, Afghanistan
Awards & Recognitions
Colonel Wills’ awards include:
- Defense Superior Service Medal
- Defense Meritorious Service Medal
- The Soldiers’ Medal
- The Purple Heart
- Legion of Merit
- Bronze Star Medal
- Joint Service Commendation Medal
- Meritorious Service Medal (4 oak leaf clusters)
- Army Commendation Medal (5 oak leaf clusters)
- Army Achievement Medal (1 oak leaf cluster)
- Joint Meritorious Unit Award
- Army Service Unit Award
- National Defense Service Medal (2 service stars)
- Afghanistan Campaign Medal (2 campaign stars)
- Global War on Terrorism Award
- Army Service Ribbon
- Overseas Service Ribbon
- NATO Medal
- Joint Staff Identification Badge
- Army Staff Identification Badge
Personal Life
Colonel Wills is married to LTC (R) Kirk T. Wills, a native of Clarksville, Tennessee. They have two daughters:
- Portia (Jeffery Raphael & Paris, Jordan)
- Percilla Wills
In June 2013, Colonel Marilyn D. Wills retired after 30 years of active military service.
Post-Retirement Contributions
After retirement, Colonel (Retired) Wills has remained dedicated to service through various roles:
- Volunteer Coordinator at First Baptist Church of Glenarden Community Life Center
Educator
- Taught at all levels, from elementary through university
- Served as an Adjunct Professor at Trinity University, teaching Psychology
Board Service
- Served four years on the Board of Visitors at Bowie State University
- Acted as Secretary of the Board for her last two years
Community Leadership
- Clinic Director, Prince George’s County Community Vaccination Center of Excellence, vaccinating over 60,000 residents
- Volunteer with the American Red Cross, assessing hurricane damage in Florida
- Volunteer with the Boys and Girls Club, teaching Pickleball
