Military Science

John DickinsonLawrence "Larry" Pickett

Title: Recruiting Operations Officer
Department: Military Science
Office Phone: (309) 298-1161
Email: LH-Pickett@wiu.edu

Mr. Pickett received his Bachelor of Arts in History and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant from Western Kentucky University (WKU) in 1985. He received his Master’s in Education and Administration from Western Illinois University in 2002.

He served for over 30 years in the National Guard, Active Army and Army Reserves before retiring in 2015 from Active Duty. His assignments include Infantry Platoon Leader, Company Commander and Battalion Assistant Operations Officer, Civil Affairs Liaison Officer, Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) Executive Officer, and SFG Civil Affairs Officer. He has completed 5 combat tours (3 x Iraq and 2 x Afghanistan). Prior to being assigned as the WIU ROO, he worked as an Academic Advisor in the WIU Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) program.

His military decorations and awards include four Bronze Stars, two Legion of Merits, two Meritorious Service Medals, as well as the Combat Infantryman Badge, Ranger Tab, Air Assault Badge, and Parachutist Badge.

He is happily married to Julie-Anne Pickett and has 2 fantastic kids (Kyle and Meghan).