By Daniel Stefanski |

A Mesa, Arizona native is being highlighted by the U.S. Navy for his service.

The Navy Office of Community Outreach recently published a story, featuring Mesa’s Rylan Sweigart, a Petty Officer 3rd Class. Sweigart graduated from Desert Ridge High School in 2020 and has spent three years (so far) in the Navy. He is an electronic’s technician on the USS Charlotte – a submarine. Sweigart’s job aboard the submarine makes him part of an exclusive class of Navy personnel – only ten percent of Navy personnel are submariners.

This nuclear-powered attack submarine is the fourth “Charlotte” to be christened with that name in American history. It was commissioned in September 1994 and is based out of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Sweigart’s father also served in the Navy, and he credits his parents for instilling values and characteristics vital for his future success. He said, “I learned in school how to study well and my parents taught me professionalism. My dad was previously in the Navy and he taught me a lot as well.”

The Petty Officer 3rd Class enlisted with his brother – an action he points to as key to his start: “I would like to thank my parents and my brother for helping me in my Navy career. I joined with my brother and it made the process of joining easier.”

Sweigart will undoubtedly gain more experience as he serves in the Navy, but he has already accomplished feats that make him proud of what he has come through to reach this point in his career. He told the Navy Office of Community Outreach, “My proudest accomplishment would be receiving my submarine qualifications, also known as ‘dolphins.’ It provided that I know the systems on the boat and I can be trusted in tough situations.”

The Mesa native is laser focused on his mission and his service to his nation, saying, “The Navy contributes to national security because our presence at sea deters our adversaries and provides access to free trade and safety on our shores.”

According to the Navy Office of Community Outreach, “strategic deterrence is the nation’s ultimate insurance program; and as a member of the submarine force, Sweigart is part of a rich history of the U.S. Navy’s most versatile weapons platform, capable of taking the fight to the enemy in defense of America and its allies.”

Admiral Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations, also weighed in for the story, adding, “Our mission remains timeless – to provide our fellow citizens with nothing less than the very best Navy: fully combat ready at all times, focused on warfighting excellence, and committed to superior leadership at every single level. This is our calling. And I cannot imagine a calling more worthy.”

Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.