LtCol Willis enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1994 after graduating high school in Lansing, Michigan. Upon completion of recruit, infantry, and security forces training he reported to Marine Barracks Washington (8th & I) and Marine Security Company, Thurmont Maryland for duty. Following meritorious promotion to Corporal was assigned as Squad Leader and Corporal of the Guard.

After successful completion of the reconnaissance indoc in 1997, he was assigned to 2d Reconnaissance Battalion, Camp Lejeune, NC completing numerous schools and deploying to Kosovo with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Following deployment, he was transferred to 2d Force Reconnaissance Company where he completed additional training, was meritoriously promoted to Staff Sergeant, and participated in deployments with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit to Kosovo and in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Upon return from Iraq, he then transferred to 2d Special Operations Training Group, II MEF for duty as the lead instructor and branch head for the Reconnaissance and Surveillance Course and Urban Sniper Course.

LtCol Willis was selected for the MECEP program in 2005. Upon graduation from the University of Michigan, he was commissioned and attended The Basic School and Infantry Officers Course where he received the Leadership, Mustang, and the Wheeler Award for Infantry Officer Excellence. He was assigned to 3d Battalion, 6th Marines where he deployed to Afghanistan and served as Weapons Platoon Commander, India Company Executive Officer, Assistant Operations Officer, and Headquarters and Service Company Commander throughout his assignment with the battalion.

Subsequent assignments have included Platoon Commander, Force Reconnaissance Company I MEF at Camp Pendleton, California deploying in support of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Company 2IC and Officer Commanding Delta Company, 40 Commando Royal Marines in Taunton, United Kingdom deploying in support of OPERATION COUGAR, and Company Commander Force Reconnaissance Company II MEF at Camp Lejeune, NC. Following duties at Headquarters Marine Corps (HQMC) Plans, Policies, and Operations (PP&O) initially as the Reconnaissance Advocate and then for two years as the Aide-de-Camp to the Deputy Commandant PP&O. LtCol Willis served as the Executive Officer, 1st Battalion, 2d Marines deploying with Commander Task Force 61/2 as the Forward Sensing Element OIC / CTU 61.2.4 and then with the battalion on the Unit Deployment Program. He has also served as the 2d Marine Regiment Operations Officer. LtCol Willis is a graduate of multiple Marine Corps and specialized courses, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Arabic, Persian, and Islamic Studies, and a Masters of Arts in International Relations. He is married to the former Amber Massie and they have four children, Isabel, Ian, Emma-Kay, and Evan. LtCol Willis is privileged to have served in units which have received the Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy Unit Commendation, and Presidential Unit Citation for superior performance.