Maui native serves as executive officer of the Red Lancers of Navy patrol squadron

Special to Maui Now By Chief Mass Communication Specialist Sean Furey, Navy Office of Community Outreach

Cmdr. Marc Wallis, a native of Maui, serves in the US Navy as the executive officer assigned to the Red Lancers of Patrol Squadron 10 (VP-10).

Wallis received his GED in bootcamp in 2001. Additionally, he received a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from the University of California, Berkeley in 2010.

The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found on Maui.

“Growing up on Maui taught me how to work with people from all walks of life,” Wallis said. “This is a skill that’s been critical for building effective teams throughout my Navy career.”

Wallis joined the Navy 20 years ago. Today, he serves as a naval flight officer.

“I joined the Navy to travel the world and pursue opportunities for higher education,” Wallis said. “I wanted to serve my country through warfighting, daily challenges and service. I originally enlisted as a Seabee, and got out as a Builder 2nd Class. I then went to college and was commissioned through the Navy Officer Candidate School.”

VP-10 is one of the original and oldest aviation squadrons in the US Navy. The squadron was originally formed in 1921 as a derivative of VS-15. However, it traces its official heritage to July 1, 1930, with the commissioning of Patrol Bombing Squadron 10S.

Members of VP-10 fly and maintain the US Navy’s P-8A Poseidon multi-mission maritime aircraft. Designed to secure the US Navy’s future in long-range maritime patrol capability, the P-8A has transformed how the Navy’s maritime patrol and reconnaissance force will train, operate, and deploy, according to Navy officials. P-8A aircraft deploy around the globe to monitor the world’s oceans wherever they are needed.

“The men and women of Patrol Squadron TEN are the driving force behind the Red Lancers’ combat readiness and tactical excellence,” said Cmdr. Jason Coons, commanding officer of VP-10. “By relentlessly honing their craft in anti-submarine warfare and P-8A overwatch, they ensure our national interests are protected every single day.”

With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.

Wallis has had many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service. 

“My proudest accomplishment is qualifying as a mission commander during a deployment; that was a turning point,” Wallis said. “It gave me the confidence to make key decisions under pressure, a skill I have relied on throughout my career. It is a two-year qualification process. It’s less about the qualification and more about the responsibility after you qualify. I was operating in the US Navy 5th Fleet area of operations, and I was responsible for things that could affect the mission. That experience left a big impact on me.”

Wallis serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.

“Serving in the Navy means being part of a highly skilled team where problem-solving and overcoming challenges are part of the daily mission,” Wallis said. “The daily challenges that we typically face on deployment could be everything from detachment, anti-submarine warfare operations, ongoing armed conflict and being able to dynamically reposition while maintaining morale.”

Wallis is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.

“I am deeply grateful to my wife, Liz, and daughter, Caroline, for their unwavering support and sacrifice which has made my Navy career possible,” Wallis added. “When I first commissioned, my daughter was born, and then I deployed ten months later. That puts my wife in a single-parent household without a lot of family nearby; then there are all the missed birthdays and holidays. Being away half of the time throughout the year is a sacrifice we all make continually until the day we retire.”

This year, the Navy is commemorating its contribution to the nation’s defense as the United States celebrates 250 years of independence. According to Navy officials, for more than 250 years, the Navy has sailed the globe defending freedom and protecting prosperity.

For more information, visit: https://www.navy.mil/navy-250/