Col. Willis is a military professor in the National Security Affairs Department. He enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves in 2000 and served as an infantry Marine until he received a commission in 2004. Col. Willis has served over 20 years as a reconnaissance and intelligence officer. He commanded at the platoon, company, and battalion level with five deployments to the Middle East and North Africa. His experience includes tours with U.S. Marine Forces Special Operations Command and Headquarters Marine Corps. Col. Willis is a graduate of the College of Naval Command and Staff and the College of Naval Warfare at the U.S. Naval War College.