A 1983 graduate of Tumwater High School, United States Marines Corps Colonel Kelly P. "Kip" Alexander was a four-time Washington state tournament qualifier and multiple state freestyle place-winner for the Thunderbirds.

Kip wrestled for his father Pat Alexander, a Lifetime Service to Wrestling honoree, and was a three-time member of the Washington State Freestyle Team.

Following his high school graduation, he attended and wrestled for the United States Military Academy Prep School in 1983-84, and then for Virginia Military Institute in 1984-1985.

Alexander graduated from the University of Washington in 1988 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the USMC.

He was a member of the All-Marine wrestling team in 1993-1994 at 149.5 pounds.

Colonel Alexander credits the virtues of the sport of wrestling for giving him courage, mental toughness, a work ethic that rivals most of his superiors, peers or subordinates, and the ability to adapt, improvise and overcome. These same lessons have allowed Kip to achieve a plethora of goals both in his professional and personal life.

He has expressed the benefits of wrestling and how they translate into 25 years of being a Marine, both in peacetime and in combat. From physical and mental toughness and a hard work ethic to inspired leadership, Alexander has been able to directly apply these characteristics and life lessons from wrestling to achieve highly successful results on the battlefield.

During his 25-year career in the Marine Corps, Colonel Alexander has deployed a multitude of times and participated in combat zones that include Afghanistan, Iraq, the Philippines and 11 countries in West and North Africa.

For his dedication and commitment to the Marine Corps and his country, Colonel Alexander received the Defense Superior Service medal; two Bronze Star medals, one with combat distinguishing device; the Joint Meritorious Service medal; two Meritorious Service medals; two Navy Marine Corps Commendation medals; the Joint Meritorious Achievement medal; and two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medals.

He is a Navy/Marine Corps parachutist and a graduate of the U.S. Army Ranger Course.

Colonel Alexander was recently married, and is currently assigned duties in Quantico, Virginia.