CAPT Willey is a native of Tonasket, Washington. He is a 1999 graduate of the University of Idaho earning a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and commissioning through NROTC via the Enlisted Commissioning Program. He holds a second Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics from LaVerne University and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Colorado-Boulder. Prior to his commission, he enlisted in 1986 and served as a Seabee Utilitiesman for 13 years.
Willey’s operational unit experience includes rifleman with Construction Battalion Unit (CBU) 411 deploying to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion THREE Alfa Company Commander deploying to Rota, Spain and Okinawa, Japan. Officer in Charge of CBU 421 Everett, Washington and Resident Engineer involved with humanitarian and reconstruction operations, Gulf Region South, Basra, Iraq. While serving with US Sixth Fleet as Engineer Planner (J-35) he supported Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn (Libya) later transitioning to Joint Task Force Unified Protector. He provided civil engineer support to special operations forces ISO Operation Enduring Freedom – Horn of Africa and returned to Port Hueneme, California serving as Future Operations Officer with Naval Construction Group ONE and Chief Staff Officer, THIRTIETH Naval Construction Regiment supporting pivot to the Pacific initiatives.
Other assignments include serving as a Power Technician, Special Project Lead, Instructor and Division Officer with the Mobile Utilities Support Equipment Program in Port Hueneme, California.
While stationed with Naval Facilities Engineering Command Northwest, he has served as an Assistant Public Works Officer Naval Station Everett, Public Works Officer at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, and an oversees tour as Operations Officer at Naval Facilities Engineering Systems, Command, Far East overseeing public works and construction at 11 Navy and Marine Corps installations throughout Japan, Korea, Singapore, and Diego Garcia. Prior to current duty, Willey served as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Facilities at Marine Corps Installations West leading and resourcing facilities sustainment and restoration for eight West Coast USMC installations.
CAPT Willey served with teams that were awarded the Presidential Unit Citation and the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation. His personal awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal (five awards), Joint Service Achievement medal, and the Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
CAPT Willey is designated as a Seabee Combat Warfare Officer, a member of the Defense Acquisition Corps, a registered professional engineer in the State of Washington, and is a member of the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honors and Society of American Military Engineers Societies.
Last Updated: 8 January 2024