U.S. Navy SEAL Larry Wilske Continues Service to America as a Congressional Candidate for California’s 53rd District
The Former Command Master Chief of SEAL Team Seven and Lifelong San Diegan is Dedicated to Creating Positive Change for the Country’s Citizens.
Command Master Chief Larry Wilske, U.S. Navy SEAL (ret.) has announced his candidacy as a representative for California’s 53rd Congressional District. Larry has dedicated 30 years of service to the United States as a Navy SEAL, proudly protecting the freedom, lives and liberties of its citizens. He retired from the military on July 4, 2013 and has chosen to continue his civic duty as a trusted representative for the people of San Diego, and for Americans nationwide. Throughout his three decades of service, Larry was recognized as a highly effective leader, teacher and problem solver on a global scale. He is committed to utilizing his experience and knowledge to create positive change as a member of Congress.
The 53rd District represents a snapshot of Larry’s life growing up in San Diego. He attended John Paul Jones and St. Columba elementary schools, Kearny High School, University of San Diego High School, San Diego community colleges, and National University. As an active community leader, Larry has supported local organizations including Warrior Foundation-Freedom Station, Bonita Optimist Club and the San Diego Wrestling Association. He has coached wrestling teams throughout San Diego County and has the honor of having his athletic achievements recognized at the San Diego Hall of Champions in Balboa Park. He and his wife Therese live in Midtown and are the proud parents of four daughters and two grandchildren.
Larry enlisted in the Navy in 1983 and would serve on SEAL Teams SDV-1, Three and Seven over the course of his service. He had just returned home from a deployment on September 6, 2001 and several days later, witnessed the tragic events of 9/11 unfold on television. Larry deployed to Afghanistan three weeks later with Task Force K-Bar, led by the United States and composed of special operations forces from eight nations. He served as Operations Chief and Naval Special Operations Component Leading Chief Petty Officer, and went on to receive the Presidential Unit Citation for extraordinary heroism in action during this tour.
“I am proud to have served my country in uniform, and would be honored to continue service as a strong, positive voice representing the will of the people,” said Wilske. “There is much work to be done. A top priority is ensuring economic opportunity for all Americans. We need to create jobs for working families and foster a supportive environment for small business owners. Local governments must regain power over decisions that should be made here at home – not in Washington. Growing up in the schools, Boys Clubs and YMCAs of San Diego, I have strong ties to virtually every neighborhood in our district. The words ‘Call Your Congressman’ matter to me I will be a national advocate for American principles but also for local issues here at home.”
With his years of leadership experience, Larry will be highly effective at representing the American people and engaging teamwork to accomplish the tasks at hand. As the Command Master Chief of SEAL Team Seven, Larry oversaw hundreds of SEAL missions in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Philippines and led dozens more. After returning home from his final combat tour, he continued service to Naval Special Warfare as the Command Master Chief for the SEALs Logistics Support Command. Larry led over 500 personnel supporting the west coast SEAL Teams and subsequently received the Meritorious Service Medal for leadership. For his final tour of duty, Larry was chosen as the first SEAL Master Chief to be stationed at the U.S. Naval War College and teach at the Navy Senior Enlisted Academy. During his tenure, he had the opportunity to educate a new generation of leaders. Larry wrote and introduced lectures on Ethos and the Elements of National Power, both of which remain part of the curriculum today.