Gaylord native retires from Navy after 21-year career

GAYLORD — Dave Swantek, a 2003 graduate of Gaylord High School, recently retired from the U.S. Navy after a 21-year career.

Born and raised in Gaylord, Swantek enlisted in the Navy in 2003 and reported to the Naval Air Technical Training Center (NATTC) in Pensacola, Florida for airman training. He then reported to USS Ronald Reagan where he learned about weapons assembly and magazine maintenance, which enabled him to advance to petty officer third class.

In 2004, he reported back to NATTC Pensacola for aviation ordinance school. After graduating in 2005, he reported to Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-105. After adapting to the squadron lifestyle, Swantek advanced to petty officer second class and transitioned from F/A-18 C to the new F/A-18 Super Hornet. He earned his enlisted aviation warfare specialist qualification and completed the first deployment of Super Hornets in 2008.

In 2008, Swantek reported to enlisted recruiter orientation unit for recruiter training at Pensacola. From there, he reported to Navy Recruiting District Michigan. In 2009, he moved to the Navy Reserve Officer Training Corp (NROTC) recruiting office in Indianapolis. He recruited over 125 high school graduates in Michigan and Indiana for the NROTC program.

In 2010, Swantek reported back to VFA-105 and completed rigorous deployments during operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn. For this he was awarded the VFA-105 Gunslinger Junior Sailor of the year. In 2011, he advanced to petty officer first class and became the leading petty officer of the ordnance shop in 2011. In 2013, Swantek reported to the quality assurance division. He qualified as a full systems QAR Release and control check team leader and his maintenance control/safe for flight qualification. He was named the VFA-105 Sailor of the Year.

In 2015, he transferred to the Naval Corrections Academy at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. Once he completed school, Swantek was assigned to the Naval Consolidated Brig Chesapeake in Virginia where he was promoted to chief petty officer. While stationed at the brig, he qualified as one of the few command duty officers responsible for the safety and security for over 145 prisoners.

In 2017, he once again returned to VFA-105 as the ordnance branch chief and avionics/armament leading chief petty officer. He led his division of 48 sailors through numerous inspections, preparing them for the upcoming deployment. He deployed with his team during the COVID-19 pandemic and spent 208 consecutive days at sea. In 2021, Swantek transferred to Strike Fighter Wing Atlantic as the ordnance and weapon systems advisor for 16 squadrons where he concluded his 21 years of service.

Swantek's personal awards include: Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (4), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (6), Navy Good Conduct Medal (4), Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist and numerous unit awards.

Swantek is not married and plans to move back to Gaylord.

— Contact Paul Welitzkin at pwelitzkin@gaylordheraldtimes.com.