SAN DIEGO - (August 11, 2023) Commander Jared Sweetser, a Supply Corps Officer, is returning to his hometown of Sarasota, Florida, after serving two decades in the United States Navy.
Sweetser, a 1999 graduate of Riverview High School and a state pole vault champion, went on to vault for Florida State University and graduated with a degree in finance. He then received his commission through Navy Officer Candidate School. His retirement was held in the courtyard at the historic “World Famous I-Bar,” on Naval Air Station, North Island in the presence of family, friends, and shipmates.
He has served in a variety of supply positions throughout his career, including tours on the fast attack submarine USS Montpelier (SSN 765) and the aircraft carrier USS John C Stennis (CVN 74) as well as overseas assignments in Korea and a year in Baghdad, Iraq, where he was Aide-de-Camp to Lieut. Gen. Chip Luckey, Director of Foreign Military Sales.
Sweetser’s shore commands, primarily specializing in Naval Aviation sustainment, include Jacksonville, Florida, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and San Diego. Sweetser was selected to participate in the Training with Industry Program, where he spent a year working alongside the supply chain team of The Home Depot in Atlanta. The lessons applied from The Home Depot to his Aviation Sustainment tour in Philadelphia earned him recognition from the Secretary of the Navy for contributions to Naval Aviation readiness.
“Following 9/11, I knew I wanted to serve… specifically in the Navy because I love the water. I was a business major and was attracted to the Supply Corps - the business managers of the Navy,” Sweetser said in his retirement speech in San Diego.
Commander, Naval Air Forces, Vice Admiral Kenneth Whitesell, who presided over the retirement ceremony, referenced Sweetser’s enduring contributions to Naval Aviation sustainment and to recent readiness milestones achieved. Guest speaker, and most recently the Director of Logistics to U.S. European Command in Stuttgart, Germany, Rear Admiral Upper Half R. Duke Heinz remarked that Sweetser was part of the 1 percent who routinely went above and beyond for mission requirements.
Sweetser is the latest in his family of a long line of officers to serve in our nation’s conflicts. His great-great-grandfather Marshall Prescott Sweetser served in the Civil War, and his great-grandfather Brigadier General Warren E. Sweetser served in the Spanish American War and WWI. Grandfathers Major Stanwood Sweetser (USMC) and Lieutenant Joseph Zabilski (USN) both served in WWII. His father Lieutenant Chandler Sweetser (USNR) served two tours in Vietnam.
Sweetser will be transitioning into a position with Raymond James Financial where he will partner with his father, Chandler Sweetser, a career Financial Advisor.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to have served my country and for the support of my family and friends throughout my career. I have been stationed in many places across the country and around the globe, but nothing has compared to coming home to Sarasota after all these years!" Sweetser emphasized. “I look forward to reconnecting and getting involved in our incredibly special community.” Sweetser and his wife, Jullie, have two boys and look forward to calling Sarasota home.
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Cdr. Sweetser (center) departs active duty service with traditional honors rendered of four side-boys, four bells rung, and ceremonial Boatswain piping the side. |
Sweetser, a 1999 graduate of Riverview High School and a state pole vault champion, went on to vault for Florida State University and graduated with a degree in finance. He then received his commission through Navy Officer Candidate School. His retirement was held in the courtyard at the historic “World Famous I-Bar,” on Naval Air Station, North Island in the presence of family, friends, and shipmates.
He has served in a variety of supply positions throughout his career, including tours on the fast attack submarine USS Montpelier (SSN 765) and the aircraft carrier USS John C Stennis (CVN 74) as well as overseas assignments in Korea and a year in Baghdad, Iraq, where he was Aide-de-Camp to Lieut. Gen. Chip Luckey, Director of Foreign Military Sales.
Sweetser’s shore commands, primarily specializing in Naval Aviation sustainment, include Jacksonville, Florida, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and San Diego. Sweetser was selected to participate in the Training with Industry Program, where he spent a year working alongside the supply chain team of The Home Depot in Atlanta. The lessons applied from The Home Depot to his Aviation Sustainment tour in Philadelphia earned him recognition from the Secretary of the Navy for contributions to Naval Aviation readiness.
“Following 9/11, I knew I wanted to serve… specifically in the Navy because I love the water. I was a business major and was attracted to the Supply Corps - the business managers of the Navy,” Sweetser said in his retirement speech in San Diego.
Commander, Naval Air Forces, Vice Admiral Kenneth Whitesell, who presided over the retirement ceremony, referenced Sweetser’s enduring contributions to Naval Aviation sustainment and to recent readiness milestones achieved. Guest speaker, and most recently the Director of Logistics to U.S. European Command in Stuttgart, Germany, Rear Admiral Upper Half R. Duke Heinz remarked that Sweetser was part of the 1 percent who routinely went above and beyond for mission requirements.
Sweetser is the latest in his family of a long line of officers to serve in our nation’s conflicts. His great-great-grandfather Marshall Prescott Sweetser served in the Civil War, and his great-grandfather Brigadier General Warren E. Sweetser served in the Spanish American War and WWI. Grandfathers Major Stanwood Sweetser (USMC) and Lieutenant Joseph Zabilski (USN) both served in WWII. His father Lieutenant Chandler Sweetser (USNR) served two tours in Vietnam.
Sweetser will be transitioning into a position with Raymond James Financial where he will partner with his father, Chandler Sweetser, a career Financial Advisor.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to have served my country and for the support of my family and friends throughout my career. I have been stationed in many places across the country and around the globe, but nothing has compared to coming home to Sarasota after all these years!" Sweetser emphasized. “I look forward to reconnecting and getting involved in our incredibly special community.” Sweetser and his wife, Jullie, have two boys and look forward to calling Sarasota home.