FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii --
What is your name?
Jason Billings.
What is your official title?
Homeland Defense Radar Hawaii (HDR-H) Branch Chief.
Describe your job?
Manage the planning, design and construction aspects of the Homeland Defense Radar Hawaii (HDR-H) project.
What is something you learned during your first week?
How USACE is structured.
What challenges do you enjoy about your job?
Working with a wide variety of high-level stakeholders; building a team while leaning the aspects of the job and USACE.
How does your job fit into the District mission?
To ensure construction of the HDR-H project is in a cost effective and efficient manner while ensuring the radar system is operational by the congressionally mandated timeframe.
What motivates you as you do your job?
People. Our organization could not function without high quality people. Every day I try to find ways to make sure our people are properly taken care of so that they are energized and excited to come to work.
What do you like most about working for Honolulu District?
So far, the thing I like best is the people. I have worked for the multiple different military organizations and POH has by far given me the warmest welcome. I also like the challenge of working in a different area of the world and learning how a new organization operates.
What was your first job?
Civil Engineer officer for the U.S. Air Force serving as a project engineer at Los Angeles Air Force Base where I was responsible for managing the construction and design aspects of the SRM program for the base.
Where is the best place you have traveled to and why?
I have a tie for first place: Hawaii and Disney World. Hawaii because the weather, scenery and people are fantastic. Disney World because it is fun to get away from being an adult for a bit and be a kid again, it is particularly fun when you get to go with kids and watch their reactions!
Who inspires you every day?
My family. My daughters and my wife are what drive me to do my absolute best each day. If there is anything, I can do to make their lives easier or better, I will find a way to do it.
If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?
Retire and continue to live in Hawaii!
What is the one thing you cannot resist?
POG. (Passion fruit-Orange-Guava tropical juice) I had a taste of it at Disney World and now found out it is readily available here in Hawaii. I have to limit myself to a glass a day or it will quickly become a gallon a day!
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
Playing the guitar!
What do you like to do when you are not working?
I enjoy Powerlifting (Bench Press, Squat, and Deadlift). I also enjoy travelling, hiking, and other similar outdoor activities with my family.
Fill in the blank: I once met…
Jon Voight. I was an extra in the movie “Transformers” when I was stationed at Los Angeles Air Force Base. While waiting for our scene to shoot, Jon Voight came around and shook hands with a bunch of us, which included me.
What chore do you absolutely hate doing?
Cleaning the house.
If you could pick one superpower, what would it be?
Super strength.
What is your favorite quote?
“Do or not do. There is no try” – Yoda. I like this because a) I like Star Wars and b) I think it speaks to people using willpower to ac-accomplish things. When people want something badly enough, they will find a way to make it happen!