Special Agent Luke Willis of the United States Secret Service finds a strong connection between his former baseball career and his current role in federal law enforcement. As the World Series approaches, Willis reflects on how his years in baseball prepared him for service with the agency.
Willis, 32, grew up in Annandale, Virginia, and played college baseball at Coastal Carolina University and George Mason University. He was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in 2015 after excelling as an outfielder at Oakton High School. After being selected in the 30th round of the Major League Baseball Draft, Willis described achieving that goal as a significant milestone. “It (the MLB draft) is something you dream about since you are 5 years old. So, it’s a 17-year plan fully coming to fruition with one phone call,” Willis said. “You work so hard for that. You don’t know if it’s going to happen, but it does happen. It’s just a testament to: you work hard, you surround yourself with the right people, and good things happen.”
During his professional baseball career in 2015 and 2016, Willis played for teams including Burlington of the Appalachian League and Idaho Falls of the Pioneer League. His last season saw him post notable statistics before he decided to leave competitive sports.
Willis credits retired Secret Service Uniformed Division Officer Scott Giambattista—a neighbor—for introducing him to opportunities within federal law enforcement after his baseball career ended. “Unfortunately, when baseball came to an end, like it does for most, it’s a tough business. He (Giambattista) kind of pitched the idea upon me about the Secret Service – the Uniformed Division in particular,” Willis said. “He got me interested.”
After joining the Secret Service's Uniformed Division in 2017, Willis became part of its Emergency Response Team (ERT), which provides tactical support to protective missions involving U.S. leaders.
“I’ve honestly felt like I’ve been a part of a team since I was 5 years old, when I started playing Little League baseball. I feel like I’ve had no gap. I’ve always worked with like-minded individuals. I’ve worn a uniform every single year of my life since I was 5 years old,” he explained.
Willis later advanced to become a Special Agent assigned first to Washington D.C., then joined the Counter Assault Team (CAT) within Special Operations Division by 2023.
“When I’m hanging out with my teammates on the Counter Assault Team, it feels no different than when I was hanging out in the locker room with my teammates on the baseball team,” he said. “We still do all the same activities together. We go to the gym together. We work out and train together. Instead of playing baseball games together, now we travel the world together and execute operations.”
According to Shawn Timberlake—Assistant to the Special Agent in Charge from recruitment—athletes bring valuable qualities that align well with agency needs: “Athletes possess some of the same intangibles that we want, that we are attracted to, to execute this mission," Timberlake said." We’re talking about communication, discipline, obviously teamwork - physical fitness is a major component – and decision-making under pressure with the expectation to win.”
Timberlake noted that student athletes often underestimate their relevant skills when considering federal careers: “At the beginning of conversation [the student athletes] worry about what they lack...They don’t realize how valuable those intangibles and those transferrable skills are right now.”
For Willis himself,“I have had challenges as a baseball player and in life as well; completing Emergency Response Team basic training and Counter Assault Team basic training are hands down two most challenging things I've ever done..." he stated." Aside from that,my greatest experiences on job have just been traveling abroad.I love seeing Air Force One ,Marine One .I love being part American diplomacy overseas."
With regard to this year's World Series matchup between Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers ,Willis predicted :“I think Dodgers are best team MLB right now.So ,that 's my prediction,"he said ."However,I would love just see great series ."
Information on joining United States Secret Service can be found at its official careers page .
