1988 – 2025
A native of Demopolis, Alabama, he enlisted as an aircraft electrician and retired a Captain, having commanded a training center, a NATO task group, and detachments in two combat theaters.
Enlisted in the Navy in 1988 and served as an Aviation Electrician's Mate, including a tour with VS-28, the “Gamblers.” Selected for the Enlisted Commissioning Program in 1995.
Aviation Electrician's Mate, Second Class
Graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management, and was commissioned as a naval officer in 1998.
Auburn, Alabama
After Surface Warfare Officer School and Basic Diving Officer training in 1999, he served as Supply Officer aboard USS Shrike (MHC-62), a coastal mine hunter, where he earned his Surface Warfare Officer pin. He then completed Explosive Ordnance Disposal School, graduating in 2003.
Officer-in-Charge for three detachments, and two deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Little Creek, Virginia
Master of Science in Defense Analysis, Special Operations in Low-Intensity Conflict. His thesis, Beyond the Chute, examined emerging parachute technologies and their military application.
Monterey, California
Assistant Program Manager for Special Operations Forces Electronic Counter-Measures, deploying numerous times in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
He was also a member of the Para-Commandos, the command's aerial parachute demonstration team.
Second in command of the Navy's school for divers, EOD personnel, and salvage specialists.
Panama City Beach, Florida
Responsible for Navy diving operations, policy, and safety standards worldwide.
Washington, D.C.
SOF and expeditionary warfare analyst in the “Bullpen,” helping build and defend the Navy's Program Objective Memorandum across three budget cycles.
Office of the Chief of Naval Operations
Taught naval science and prepared midshipmen for commissioning at the Vanderbilt University NROTC unit.
Nashville, Tennessee
Special project officer for the commanding officer of Naval Surface Warfare Center, Panama City Division.
Panama City, Florida
Command of the training pipeline for Navy divers, EOD personnel, and salvage specialists — the same schoolhouse where he had served as executive officer six years earlier.
Panama City Beach, Florida
Reported in January 2021 as deputy commodore for Navy expeditionary forces in Europe and Africa.
Led a multinational task group conducting mine countermeasures in the Baltic, coordinating allied vessels and joint exercises and responding to live mine threats.
Directed mine detection, neutralization, and clearance operations keeping sea lanes open for US and allied shipping, including BALTOPS 22.
Rota, Spain
Managed the admiral's schedule, communications, and information flow, and coordinated staff work across military and civilian organizations.
Pensacola, Florida
Retired at the rank of Captain.
Sam's retirement ceremony was held on 14 February 2025. On 18 March he started hiking north from Springer Mountain, Georgia, and on 26 August he climbed Mount Katahdin in Maine — 2,100 miles in five months and one week, supported by Warrior Expeditions alongside twelve other combat veterans. He used the time to pray, think, and work out what the next chapter of service would look like, and has called it the hardest thing he has ever done.
Today he is Chief Operating Officer of Veterans Lodge in DeFuniak Springs, Florida, a community built around the physical, emotional, and spiritual recovery of veterans and their families. He also leads Brasfield & Associates, consulting in leadership, explosive ordnance disposal, diving, and complex maritime operations.
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