Cmdr. Sweeney is a native of Dayton, Ohio. A career submariner, he served his first 10 years as an enlisted nuclear-trained Machinist Mate. He graduated from Auburn University with a master's degree in mechanical engineering and business administration. As a student at the Naval War College, he was a Mahan Scholar and graduated with an M.A. in National Security and Strategic Studies in 2017. He has deployed experience on both SSN and SSBN-type submarines, was an action officer on the OPNAV Staff (N97) and most recently served on the staff of Commander, Carrier Strike Group Eleven embarked on USS Nimitz.