Jonathan Swaffer was born in Hendersonville, Tennessee on 30 January 1986. He graduated from White House High School in 2004. He enlisted in the United Stated Marine Corps on August 2007. Jonathan Swaffer completed recruit training at Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina. During recruit training he was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Private First Class.
Private First Class Swaffer reported to Marine Combat Training (East), at Camp Geiger, North Carolina. Private First Class Swaffer completed Marine Combat Training in February 2008. Upon graduation he attended Amphibious Assault Schools Battalion where he obtained the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) of 1833, Amphibious Assault Crewman.
In March of 2008, Private First Class Swaffer reported into Charlie Company 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina where he was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal in April of 2008 and Corporal in February of 2009.
In August of 2010, Corporal Swaffer was assigned to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), Battalion Landing Team (BLT) 3/8, Lima Company, Amphibious Assault Vehicle Platoon (AAV). Here he served as the Assistant Section Leader for 2nd Section. In November of 2010, his ship was redirected in support of 3rd Battalion 5th Marine Regiment in Afghanistan, Helmand Province. While in support of Operation Enduring Freedom Corporal Swaffer was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in February of 2011. Upon his return in May of 2011, Sergeant Swaffer was reassigned to Alpha Company, 2nd Assault Amphibious Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. In April of 2013 he attended a local Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructor Course and graduated a Black Belt Instructor. In June of 2013 he was deployed as part of the Unit Deployment Program (UDP) to Combat Assault Battalion, Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan. During this deployment he participated in Operation Chromite.
Upon his return from UDP in March of 2014, Sergeant Swaffer was reassigned to Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina as the Assistant Master Gunner for the Battalion. In November of 2015, Sergeant Swaffer was reassigned back to Alpha Company, 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina where he immediately went to Vehicle Commanders Course. He deployed with the 22nd MEU in June of 2016. Sergeant Swaffer Served as the 3rd Section Leader for AAV Platoon, Charlie Company, BLT 1/6, for the 22nd MEU. During the deployment his platoon supported Operation Sea Breeze in Romania.
Once returned from the deployment in December of 2016, Sergeant Swaffer was reassigned back to H&S Company, 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina where he again served as the Assistant Master Gunner for the Battalion. Sergeant Swaffer was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant in October of 2017. He was immediately assigned to Alpha Company, 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina as the Logistics Chief for the company. While serving as the Logistics Chief he aided in the planning and coordination for Operation Trident Juncture.
In January of 2019 he reported to Amphibious Assault Schools Battalion, Camp Pendleton, California where he completed Amphibious Unit Leaders Course. Upon his return he was reassigned to 2nd Platoon Alpha Company, Assault Amphibious Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina as the 1st Section Leader. In January of 2020, Staff Sergeant Swaffer reported to Drill
Instructor School at Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD), Parris Island, South Carolina. In March of 2020, Staff Sergeant Swaffer graduated Drill Instructor School at MCRD Parris Island, South Carolina. He then reported into 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, Golf Company in April of 2020. Staff Sergeant Swaffer served as Drill Instructor, Experienced Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, and
Chief Drill Instructor. Staff Sergeant Swaffer was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant in April of 2021. In November of 2021 GySgt Swaffer received orders to Drill Instructor School East where he is currently serving as the Chief Instructor.
Gunnery Sergeant Swaffer’s personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two gold stars in lieu of third award, Combat Action Ribbon, and Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal with three bronze stars in lieu of fourth award.
Gunnery Sergeant Swaffer is married to Brittany Swaffer. He has one son Landon T. Swaffer and one daughter Harley M. Marlow.