On February 15, 2016 Lieutenant Commander James Reed will officially retire from Greenville ISD after serving schools in Texas and Florida for over 20 years. In his place, Greenville High School is happy to announce the arrival of Lieutenant Commander Larry Wilcock to take the reins as the Senior Naval Science Instructor for the NJROTC unit.

LCDR Wilcock is a Naval Intelligence Officer who retired from active service in December of 2015. While acknowledging Oregon as his home, he has spent the majority of the past two decades overseas in such locales as England, Hawaii, Japan, Germany, and Guam. He attended Portland State University where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in International Studies. Post-graduate studies include a master’s degree from American Military University in Strategic Intelligence, a master’s degree from the United States Marine Corps War College in Military Studies, and a graduate certificate from the National Intelligence University in China Intelligence Studies.

During his service, LCDR Wilcock served as Cryptographic Voice Interceptor, Cryptographic Voice Operator, Telecommunications Division Officer, Tactical Watch Officer, Quality Assurance/Intelligence Officer, China Tactical Watch Officer, and Senior China Submarine Analyst. In addition to his military career that spanned nearly 25 years of Navy and Army service, he spent three years as an educator in the Japanese school system, teaching at the Junior High and High School level.

For exemplary service, LCDR Wilcock received prestigious awards such as the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, Good Conduct Medal, Expeditionary Medal, OEF Expeditionary Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal and the Defense of Korea Medal.

Asked why he decided to teach at Greenville HS, LCDR Wilcock responded, “I know first-hand how much influence a positive role model and mentor can have on a young person. Being able to combine my passion for education with my military experience to provide that kind of leadership is the kind of opportunity and challenge I have always desired”.

He continued, “I’m very excited to be working in a program that enjoys such great school, administrative, parental, and community support. While I’ve only been in Greenville a few short weeks, I have already been welcomed by many of the local community organizations and leaders. We have a great Booster Club who supports our program and the cadets are a treat to work with. Under the leadership of LCDR Reed and Chief Stephens, the unit qualified for the state meet that will be held later this month. In the coming years, I hope to continue the tradition of success and grow the program even more”.

LCDR Wilcock is married to Chie Wilcock. They have two daughters, age 7 & 11, who both attend Lamar Elementary.