[1][2] After qualifying as a principal warfare officer in 1981, Wilcocks served in the frigate HMS Ambuscade, which included service in the Falklands War in 1982, when he was actively involved in directing naval fire support to land forces including the attack by the 2nd Battalion Parachute Regiment along Wireless Ridge just prior to the Argentinian surrender.
[1][3] During this appointment, the Gloucester served in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in support of the Gulf War,[1] when the Lynx helicopter operating from his ship destroyed 7 enemy warships[3] including 3 TNC-45 fast attack craft, a T43 minelayer, and a Polnocny-class landing ship, with Sea Skua missiles.
[3] After a tour on the Naval Operations staff in the Ministry of Defence (MOD),[1] Wilcocks went on promotion to the Directorate of Operational Requirements (Sea Systems), where he was responsible for future ships and their combat systems, including the Type 45 destroyers, the LPDs HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark and the Bay Class LSDAs.
In July 2001, Wilcocks assumed command of the training establishment HMS Collingwood,[1] and formed the new Maritime Warfare School.
Following a 7-month tour as Flag Officer Scotland, Northern England, Northern Ireland[1] and Flag Officer Reserves, Wilcocks became Chief of Staff (capability) to Commander-in-Chief Fleet in January 2007,[1] assuming responsibility for generating the fleet across all defence lines of development.
[7] Wilcocks was president of the HMS Hood Association,[8] and in 2017 became chairman of the board of Governors of Hereford Cathedral School.