Col Paul Gillikin

Colonel Paul L. Gillikin, a native of Beaufort, North Carolina, received his commission through Naval ROTC in 1999 after receiving his bachelor’s degree from North Carolina State University. In October 2023, Col Gillikin became Program Manager, Combat Support Systems at Marine Corps Systems Command.

Most recently, Colonel Gillikin served as Program Manager for Fire Support Systems, where he oversaw two Force Design programs focused on improving kill chain operations and multiple artillery support systems. His other previous acquisition billets included Infantry Weapons Product Team Leader where he led small arms modernization efforts and as the Chief of Staff for the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Air-Ground Programs overseeing Navy and Marine Corps ground and aviation Major Defense Acquisition Programs.

His operating force assignments consist of various infantry billets in 3D Battalion, 7TH Marine Regiment; Executive Officer with 2D Marine Raider Battalion (MRB); and Company Commander, Marine Special Operations Company M, 3D MRB. Operational deployments include US Southern, Indo-Pacific, and Central Commands for combat operations and theater security cooperation missions. Colonel Gillikin’s other assignments include Plans, Policies and Operations; Current Operations Officer, MARSOC G-3; and Training & Exercise Officer, MARSOC G-3.

Colonel Gillikin is a graduate of several USMC and DOD schools: Infantry Officers Course, Expeditionary Warfare School, Mountain Warfare Training Center, Jungle Warfare Training Center, MARSOC Assessment & Selection Course, MARSOF Team Leader’s Course, SERE, and Command and Staff College. In 2005, he received his Master of Science Degree in Management from the US Naval Postgraduate School. In 2019, he received a Master of Science Degree in National Resource Strategy from the Eisenhower School at National Defense University.

Col Gillikin is a member of the Intelligence and National Security Association and an ambassador for the Marine Raider Foundation.