CDR James Billings

Executive Officer, USS Higgins (DDG 76)

23 December 2024 Commander Billings is a native of Washington, DC and commissioned in 2009 from the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Transportation and a license as a Third Mate of Steam and Motor Vessels upon Oceans.

He has served at sea as the Electrical Officer and First Lieutenant in USS FITZGERALD (DDG 62), the Fire Control Officer in USS LASSEN (DDG 82), the C5I Officer in USS BARRY (DDG 52), and the Operations Officer for Commander Task Force 71/Destroyer Squadron FIFTEEN, all forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan. He was privileged to serve as the Executive Officer, and then fleet up to Commanding Officer, of USS CHIEF (MCM 14), forward deployed to Sasebo, Japan.

He reported onboard USS HIGGINS (DDG 76), forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan, to serve as Executive Officer in December 2024.

An Olmsted Scholar, he studied Mandarin Chinese at DLI-East in Washington, DC and spent two years living in Shanghai, China, where he studied at Fudan University and earned a Master of Law degree in International Politics. He has served as a member of the U.S. Naval Institute’s Editorial Board and has also been presented with the Defense Cooperation Award (Second Class) by the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force.