David Wijewickrama grew up in the southern highlands of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Western North Carolina. During his youth, he was active in marching band as a saxophonist and earned the rank of Eagle Scout. He graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1991 earning a B.S. in Information Management Systems under a U.S. Navy ROTC Scholarship.
After commissioning and initial training, he served as a Supply Corps Officer aboard U.S.S. PELELIU (LHA-5) supporting Sailors and Marines in Long Beach and San Diego before a follow-on assignment supporting the Commander, Naval Surface Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMNAVSURFPAC) in Coronado, California. During his tenure he specialized in process management through the Navy’s Total Quality Leadership (TQL) program.
Upon completion of his tour with the Navy he attended Washburn University Law School in Topeka, KS where earned his Juris Doctorate in 2000. David started out in the Buncombe County District Attorney’s office working with victims of violent crimes. From there he transitioned to civil work as a small town country lawyer. There, he represented both plaintiffs and defendants in a variety of cases involving family law, employment law, governmental law and personal injury. He also served as a 9/11 Tort-Litigator.
Currently, his practice areas cover complex civil litigation involving class actions, civil rights, wrongful deaths, officer involved shootings and other law enforcement/government related issues. He also represents private corporations and individuals in a broad spectrum of legal matters. David has also developed a niche in protecting parents and children who must deal with governmental entities when their Constitutional rights have been violated. His focus today takes him to state and federal courts in both North and South Carolina.
Balancing his work with life, he enjoys fly-fishing, traveling and being a mentor to
others. David always strives to pay it forward in remembrance of the people who have helped him throughout his life. He lives by a philosophy of being kind, helping folks however he can, never taking himself seriously and being thankful every day for life, while enjoying interesting adventures with his family and friends. David is grateful to the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps leadership that nurtured, cultivated and empowered him and for the skills he learned that he continues to practice in his daily life.
With his background from the U.S. Navy and his civilian legal experience, he proudly serves his community and helps others. As a lawyer, mediator and law
enforcement/business advisor, David considers himself to be a proud Gamecock from the University of South Carolina. He is excited and humbled for the opportunity to work with the Command Staff, Students and Alumni to serve the Gamecock Battalion in upcoming years.
Past Admirals
2016
Capt. John Talbot
2015
Capt. John Stickney
2014
Capt. Fred Tollison
2013
Capt. Toney Lister
Capt. Harold Sturm
Honorable Eugene P. Warr
2012
Mr. Alec H. Chaplin
2011
Capt. Frank T. Avignone III
2010
Mr. Robert E. Davis
2008
Mr. Donald R. Tomlin, Jr.
2007
Judge Robert F. Chapman
2004
Capt. John Manning Cantey
2003
Capt. Jesse Stephen Schaffer
2001
Mr. F. William Lamotte, Jr.
1999
Capt. Earnest Castle
Col. Richard C. Slack
1998
Capt. Oliver G. Wood, Jr.
1996
Mr. Melvin L. Burton, Jr.
1994
Mr. G. Spruce McCain
Pass in Review Speech Summary
You are all in training to become leaders. As previously mentioned, among the attributes of a good leader are: judgment, dependability, decisiveness, integrity and knowledge.
Judgment is your ability to think about things clearly, calmly, and in an orderly fashion so that you can make good decisions. You can improve your judgment if you avoid making rash decisions. Approach problems with a common-sense attitude.
Dependability means that you can be relied upon to perform your duties properly. It means that you can be trusted to complete a job. Dependability also means consistently putting forth your best effort in an attempt to achieve the highest standards of performance. You can increase your dependability by forming the habit of being where you’re supposed to be on time, by not making excuses and by carrying out every task to the best of your ability regardless of whether you like it or agree with it.
Decisiveness means that you are able to make good decisions without delay. Get all the facts and weight them against each other. By acting calmly and quickly, you should arrive at a sound decision. Practice being positive in your actions instead of acting half-heartedly or changing your mind on an issue.
Integrity means that you are honest and truthful in what you say or do. You put honesty, sense of duty, and sound moral principles above all else. Be absolutely honest and truthful at all times. Stand up for what you believe to be right.
Knowledge – as I mentioned earlier — means that you have acquired information and that you understand people. Increase your knowledge by remaining alert. Listen, observe, and find out about things you don’t understand. Study operations manuals and other military literature such as the Naval Institute Proceedings.
There are other attributes of a good leader, of course; but mastering these five will serve you well in fulfilling some of the basic principles of leadership such as:
Get the job done and take care of your people, and praise in public; reprimand in private.
I ask you to remember to “Lead and Learn”.