Meet CWO3 Chip Dykes, USMC (Ret.)
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Chip Dykes, United States Marine Corps (Ret.), is a Marine veteran, longtime veterans advocate, and community leader whose career has remained centered on service both in and out of uniform.
Dykes served approximately 20 years in the United States Marine Corps, from 1982 to 2002, retiring at the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 3. Among the roles he has described as especially meaningful was serving as a Marine Corps Drill Instructor, an experience that shaped his approach to leadership, mentorship, and bringing together people from widely different backgrounds toward a common mission. Following his retirement from active service, Dykes continued his commitment to Marines, veterans, military families, and the greater San Diego community. He served as President of the Marine Corps Drill Instructor Association, Commander of American Legion Post 365 in Vista, Chairman of the San Diego County Veterans Advisory Council, and a Trustee of the Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial. County records confirm his leadership of the Veterans Advisory Council, while the West Coast Drill Instructors Association identifies him among the retired Marine leaders who helped guide the organization.
His service has also extended deeply into the civilian community. Dykes served as President of the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce in 2011 and has been involved in numerous veteran, nonprofit, and civic organizations throughout North San Diego County. During his 2012 campaign for Oceanside City Council, he described a philosophy that has characterized much of his post-military career: continuing to serve his country through military, nonprofit, business, and community leadership.
Today, Dykes continues that work through Frontwave Credit Union, a financial institution founded aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. He currently serves as Vice President of Military & Community Relations, helping strengthen the credit union’s relationships with service members, veterans, military families, and the communities surrounding Camp Pendleton. In 2025, he represented Frontwave when the City of Oceanside formally recognized the credit union for supporting more than 31,000 military and civilian members affected by delayed pay during the federal government shutdown. From developing Marines as a Drill Instructor to advocating for veterans, leading civic organizations, and supporting military families after retirement, CWO3 Dykes' career reflects the Marine Corps tradition that service does not end when the uniform comes off.
