Lieutenant Colonel Dwayne A. Whiteside was born in Greensboro, North Carolina and enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve in 1980.  He attended North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University where he graduated with Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science in May 1983.  Following graduation, he augmented into active duty and served as an Infantryman in 2d Battalion, 2d Marines from August 1983 to March 1986.

 

During March 1986, he transferred to Marine Security Force Company Royal Air Force station St. Mawgan, United Kingdom where he served as a Sergeant of the Guard from March 1986 to June 1988.  In June 1988, he returned to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and was assigned to 3d Battalion, 6th Marines from June 1988 to September 1990.

 

In September 1990, Lieutenant Colonel Whiteside was selected for the Enlisted Commissioning Program and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on 8 December 1990.

 

Lieutenant Colonel Whiteside was assigned to 3d Marine Division in 1992, where he served in 3d Combat Engineer Battalion.  This assignment included duties as an Engineer Platoon Commander, Company Executive Officer and S-4A.  He also served as the 3d Marine Division, Aide De Camp, and worked for both Major General Ray L. Smith and Major General David F. Bice.

 

Following this tour, Lieutenant Colonel Whiteside transferred to Quantico and served as a Staff Platoon Commander and Engineer Instructor at The Basic School.  Completing this assignment in 1998, he transferred to the Engineer Officer Advanced Course.  In August 1998, Lieutenant Colonel Whiteside was assigned to 8th Engineer Support Battalion, where he served as the Commanding Officer for both Bridge Company and Engineer Support Company.  During this tour, he participated in Operation Hurricane Mitch, Humanitarian Assistance Operation in Honduras and was selected to brief President Bill Clinton.

 

In June 2000, Lieutenant Colonel Whiteside was promoted to Major and transferred to the Engineer Center of Excellence, where he served as the Commanding Officer of the Engineer Instruction Company.  Upon completion of this tour in June 2002, he transferred to the United States Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC).  Upon graduation from CGSC in June 2003, he was transferred to 3d Marine Aircraft Wing and served as the Wing Engineer Officer and the 3d Marine Wing Support Group, Operations Officer.  During this assignment he served two tours in Iraq.  In July 2006, Lieutenant Colonel Whiteside was promoted to his present rank and transferred to Atlanta and served as the Executive Officer at the Atlanta Region, Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps.

 

In March 2008, Lieutenant Colonel Whiteside was selected to command Marine Corps Security Force Battalion in Kings Bay, Georgia.  Upon completion of this assignment in July 2010, he was assigned to United States Naval Forces Central Command where he served as the Marine Expeditionary Unit Planner and Deputy Director of Exercises, Strategy and Plans.

 

Along with his degree from North Carolina A&T, Lieutenant Colonel Whiteside holds a Master of Science degree in Education from Kansas State University.

 

His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star in lieu of fifth award, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Gold Star, Joint Service Achievement Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.