Passing the Watch: A Seabee's 40-Year Journey from the Enlisted Ranks to Commodore

Forty years after raising his right hand and enlisting in the United States Navy, Capt. Allen E. Willey stood before family, friends and fellow service members at Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport, Mississippi, Oct. 16, 2026, to conclude a career that took him from the enlisted ranks of the Seabees to commanding the 22nd Naval Construction Regiment (NCR).

The retirement ceremony celebrated four decades of service, leadership and dedication to the Naval Construction Force, recognizing a career shaped by operational assignments across the globe and the Sailors who served alongside him.

Rear Adm. Jeff Kilian, commander of Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command and Chief of Civil Engineers for the U.S. Navy, presided over the ceremony, reflecting on Willey's journey from an enlisted Utilitiesman to a commissioned Civil Engineer Corps officer.

"He led with an authenticity and an empathy that can only come from having walked in the boots of the Sailors he was leading," Kilian said. "His legacy is in the countless Seabees and officers who are better leaders, better technicians, and better people because they served under his command."

Willey's Navy career began in 1986 when he enlisted as a Seabee Utilitiesman. During his 13 years of enlisted service, he developed the technical expertise and leadership foundation that would shape his career. In 1999, after graduating from the University of Idaho, Willey earned his commission as a Navy officer.

Over the following 27 years, his assignments took him across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Pacific. His experience included reconstruction operations in Iraq, support to military operations in Libya and Afghanistan, and engineering support to special operations forces in the Horn of Africa.

His final assignment brought his career full circle as commanding officer of 22 NCR, leading the same community of Seabees in which he began his Navy journey.

From June 2024 to September 2026, Willey guided naval construction forces supporting operations across Europe and Africa. Under his leadership, active-duty and reserve Seabees from five construction battalions and three dive detachments executed critical theater engagements at 21 locations, strengthening partnerships and supporting fleet operations.

For his accomplishments as commander, Willey received the Legion of Merit, recognizing his leadership, engineering innovation and contributions to naval operations.

While the ceremony highlighted his professional achievements, Willey emphasized that his success was made possible by the support of family, mentors and shipmates throughout his career.

"To my wife, Shereen: You have been my absolute anchor," Willey said. "You endured the deployments, managed the chaos of endless military moves, and kept our family strong while I was out on mission playing my Engineer and Seabee role I love."

The ceremony also recognized the sacrifices made by military families. Willey's daughter, Ashley Austin, delivered a reading titled "My Silent Ranks," reflecting on the often-unseen responsibilities carried by military spouses and children. His son, Christian Willey, shared personal memories of growing up in a military family and the lessons his father taught him about perseverance, responsibility and service.

"My home isn't a house. My home is my family," Christian said, reflecting on the many moves and experiences that shaped his upbringing.

In his retirement remarks, Willey balanced humor with reflection, sharing his "Top 10 List of Things You Learn After 40 Years in the United States Navy."

Among the lessons, he emphasized the enduring bonds between shipmates and the importance of caring for the people serving alongside you.

"A 40-year career goes by in what feels like 40 minutes when you genuinely care about the people you serve with," Willey said.

One of the ceremony's most symbolic moments came during the traditional passing of the watch. As the poem "The Watch" was recited, the ceremony honored Willey's decades of service before Lt. Cmdr. Justin Austin, his son-in-law and a fellow Civil Engineer Corps officer, formally relieved him.

"Captain, I relieve you, we have the watch," Austin said.

"I stand relieved," Willey replied.

The exchange represented the continuation of responsibility, leadership and service from one generation of Navy officers to the next.

For Willey, the moment also reflected the central lesson of his four decades in uniform.

"The watch is never truly finished; it just gets passed to the next generation of incredible leaders," Willey said.

The ceremony concluded with Willey rendering his final salute and receiving permission to go ashore, accompanied by his family.

From an enlisted Seabee in 1986 to a Navy captain and commodore four decades later, Willey's career reflected the Seabee tradition of service, resilience and commitment to mission accomplishment.

Although his time in uniform has concluded, the legacy of his leadership continues through the Sailors, Seabees and officers who now carry the watch forward.

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