LCDR Sean Sweeney, USN
Permanent Military Instructor
- Phone: (410) 293-6057
- E-mail: sweeney@usna.edu
- Department of Leadership, Ethics, Law Luce Hall (Mail Stop 7-B) 112 Cooper Road Annapolis, MD 21402
Lieutenant Commander Sean Sweeney serves as an instructor for the NL110 "Applied Behavioral Sciences for the Naval Leader" course within the Division of Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) at the United States Naval Academy. A native of Downingtown, Pennsylvania, he graduated with merit from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He later earned a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from UMass Global in 2026.
Following his commissioning, LCDR Sweeney reported to Naval Nuclear Power Training Command (NNPTC) in Charleston, South Carolina, completing nuclear power school before transitioning to Naval Aviation. He completed flight training with VT-3, HT-8, and HSC-2 before reporting to his first operational squadron, the "Dusty Dogs" of HSC-7. From 2018 to 2021, he served as the Assistant Operations Officer and NATOPS Officer, deploying with CARRIER AIR WING 3 (CVW-3) aboard the USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69) during its historic COVID-19 deployment. His squadron was awarded the Battle "E" during this tour.
In 2021, LCDR Sweeney changed callsigns to "Firewood" at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Search and Rescue (NASWI SAR). During this tour, he served as the Operations Officer, SAR Officer, NATOPS Officer, and Quality Assurance Officer (QAO). The unit executed 128 SAR missions, with LCDR Sweeney personally flying on 21 missions, directly saving 18 lives.
He subsequently returned to the fleet to serve with the "Blackjacks" of HSC-21 from 2023 to 2026 as the Training Officer and Operations Officer, where he oversaw operations for eight geographically dispersed detachments. During his tenure, HSC-21 was awarded the Battle "E," and he notably flew as the videography platform for the documentary Above, Below, and Beyond. Following this tour, he returned to his alma mater in Annapolis to join the LEAD Division staff.
LCDR Sweeney’s personal awards include two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various unit and campaign awards.
