A native of Leroy, Minnesota, Cmdr. Speer joined the Navy as an Airman Apprentice in January 1988 and attended Basic Training at Great Lakes, Illinois with follow on training at Aviation Ordnance “A” School in Millington, TN, Aircrew School in Pensacola, FL and P-3C Orion Fleet Replacement Aviation Maintenance (FRAMP) in Jacksonville, FL. Cmdr. Speer’s enlisted duty assignments included tours with VP-44 Golden Pelicans Patrol Squadron, VP-8 Tigers Patrol Squadron, Naval Air Station (NAS) Brunswick Weapons Department and USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71).
In January 1996, Cmdr. Speer was accepted into the Enlisted Commissioning Program (ECP). He attended Norfolk State University where he earned a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies and was commissioned in July 1997. He was designated a Naval Aviator in January 1999.
After completing H-46D Sea Knight Helicopter Fleet Replacement Pilot Training, he reported to Helicopter Combat Support Squadron SIX (HC-6) in Norfolk, VA flying the venerable Sea Knight. While there, he deployed in USS SEATTLE (AOE 3) and USS SUPPLY (AOE 6), attained 1,000 hours in the CH-46D Sea Knight, and served as Logs and Records Officer, Aviation Safety Officer and Detachment Assistant Officer in Charge.
Upon completion of his first tour, Cmdr. Speer reported to NAS Brunswick Search and Rescue where he flew the UH-1N Huey helicopter, served as the Maintenance and Safety Officer and NAS Brunswick Administrative Officer. Additionally, Cmdr. Speer completed an Individual Augmentee assignment with Joint Task Force Seven (JTF-7), and as a Battle Captain with the U.S. Army Civil Affairs. In March 2006, Cmdr. Speer reported aboard USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70) as a Shooter, as well as the V-3 Division Officer and Air Department Training Officer.
Cmdr. Speer reported to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron TWO in Norfolk, VA for refresher training in the MH-60S in September 2008. He completed his Department Head tour at Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron TWO TWO (HSC-22) in Norfolk where he served as Training Officer and Operations Officer. While there, he deployed in USS BATAAN (LHD 5) as Officer-in-Charge in response to the January 2010 earthquake in Haiti, OPERATION UNIFIED RESPONSE.
Following his Department Head Tour, Cmdr. Speer reported to the U.S. Naval War College where he earned a Master of Science in Strategic Studies and completed Joint Professional Military Education Phase I in November 2012.
Cmdr. Speer served with Naval Support Activity Lakehurst New Jersey from December 2012 to January 2016 as the Staff Liaison Officer for Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JB MDL).
Returning to sea duty, Cmdr. Speer reported to Expeditionary Strike Group TWO (ESG 2) Virginia Beach, VA where he served as an Operations Planner / Operations Officer from February 2016 to May 2018.
Cmdr. Speer reported to Naval Support Activity Lakehurst New Jersey in June 2018 and currently serves as the Executive Officer.
His personal awards include the Joint Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal and various unit and campaign decorations.
Last Updated: 22 November 2023