Type Of Business:
Government organization dedicated to the protection of the United States
Expertise:
Instruction; Leadership
Major Product/SVS:
Defense services
Hobbies/Sports:
Hunting; Fishing; Spending time with his daughters
Education Degrees:
Diploma, Thurston High School (2001)
Affiliations Awards:
Marine Corps League, Inc.; Wounded Warrior Project
Place of Birth:
Springfield, OR
Children's Names:
Hali; Calista
Throughout the duration of your career, what was the one highlight that stood out the most?:
The most gratifying aspect of his career is being able to raise his daughters with patience and compassion through all of the intense combat and extremely stressful situations he has been involved in.
Charity:
Volunteer, Local Orphanage, Japan; Special Olympics
Number Of Years In Profession:
11
Number Of Years In Current Position:
4
What Does He/She Attribute Success To:
He attributes his success to his respect for his marines and the U.S. Marine Corps, leadership skills, and concern for setting a good example.
Why did you become involved in your profession or industry?:
He became involved in his profession after seeing a picture of a marine when he was 8 years old, sparking his interest. This interest was furthered at 12 years old, when he met his father's friend, a U.S. Marine Corps colonel. However, it was in 1998, when he was in the Thurston High School cafeteria and witnessed a school shooting, that he decided the Marines was his calling.
Extended Bio Profile:
Mr. Willis began his military career at age 13, participating in the Young Marines through the Marine Corps League, Inc. When he started his professional career, he held responsibilities as a basic rifleman and completed two tours in combat in the Philippines from 2002 to 2003. He became a team leader when he was deployed to the Philippines with the fire team. He was later deployed from Hawaii to Japan for eight months, returning to Hawaii as a squad leader in charge of three fire teams. In 2004, Mr. Willis was sent to Iraq and completed a crash course as a combat squad leader; he was involved in the second assault on Fallujah and was a squad leader during Operation Phantom Fury. After his platoon commander was killed, he moved up to become a platoon sergeant. Today, Mr. Willis is a member of the anti-terrorism platoon. In 2006, he served on an embedded training team and spent nine months operating, training and mentoring Afghan special forces.
Position Responsibilities and Duties:
Conducting weapons training; Mentoring and developing marines as leaders; Handling accountability, communications, special equipment training and the development of his men; Maintaining the platoon and its weapons; Aiding the transition of platoon leaders from college life to platoon life; Teaching infantry courses at squad leader school on survival techniques, weapon handling and marksmanship
Education Certifications:
Certified Foreign Weapons Instructor, Foreign Weapons Instructor Course; Certified Designated Marksman Instructor; Certification in Instructing Helicopter Rappelling and Fast-Roping; Certified Combat Marksmanship Trainer and Instructor; Certified Optics Instructor
Awards/Honors:
Purple Heart; Navy Commendation Medal for Valor; Two-Time Recipient, Navy Achievement Medal; Army Achievement Medal, Three-Time Good Conduct Medal
Where Will You Be In 5 Years:
In five years, Mr. Willis intends to finish his work in anti-terrorism during another deployment and pick up another platoon in 29 Palms, CA.