Jon Wills:  

Life Updated <some> Feb 2008. Two weeks after HS graduation, I joined the Navy to see the world! After 4 years at the U.S. Naval Academy, including 70+ days underwater in a sub (never saw the Pacific, except thru a periscope), playing Marine, flying planes, and driving ships, I selected Nuclear Power and the aircraft carrier USS ENTERPRISE. I sometimes use my Electrical Engineering degree, in my latest job as a C4I System Engineer connecting IT and DOD weapons systems. My wife (Kim) and I were married in 1988, moving 7 times in the first 2 years (GA, FL, NY, RI, VA, MD, SC). Betsy was born in 1989, to keep Kim company when I deployed to the Persian Gulf. With combat action in Desert Storm (took first POWs), I then rotated to the shipyard to refuel nuclear reactors. Hannah was given to us while stationed in Norfolk, in 1991. Sent ashore in '93, I took 'root' in Fredericksburg, Va. to teach other Sailors about the Aegis Weapons System, giving me ties to Washington DC and engineering. With Shelby's arrival in 1994, I decided to get out rather than endure more 6-month deployments. I met some interesting Sailors/characters in the Navy, stories so unbelievable I'd think I was lying - except I lived it, and integrity is a value I hold dear! I'll never forget 8+ years, traveling to many interesting places in the world. Employed by the Dept. of Navy, I became a System Engineer designing new Navy combat systems to perform Theater Ballistic Missile Defense. Growing into a Project Leader managing government and contractors alike, my experience allowed a govt-paid trip to Gaeta, Italy to introduce the new TBMD design and wargame the capabilities with NATO and Mediterranean allies. After living abroad with the family in 2000, and seeing much of Europe, we returned to Va, where Connor was born in 2001. Attracted to Washington DC in '04, I endured the politics and red tape, balancing family life with a challenging commute and an uphill battle against the DoD giants (trying to ensure the taxpayers get the value for their money)! "Trying" in many ways, to say the very least! In March '06, I started at Marine Corps Systems Command in Quantico, to integrate command and control systems for the Marines - to system engineer solutions for the Marines to combat enemies in Iraq, Afghanistan, and anywhere else the world needs Marines to end oppression and fear!!! As Chief C4I Engineer...Expand for more