We enjoy the benefits of our freedom due to the people that make the sacrifice to serve in the military. I had the pleasure of speaking with Jeff Stewart recently and learned quite a bit about his family’s involvement with the various branches.

Jeff grew up in New Jersey, and his fascination with aircraft and patriotism led him to sign a delayed enlistment contract and enter the Air Force one month after graduating from high school. While in basic training at Lackland AFB (San Antonio, TX) Jeff took additional testing and was selected for training at Goodfellow AFB  (San Angelo, TX) to be an intelligence analyst for Air Force Special Operations.

Upon graduation from the 6-month program at Goodfellow AFB, Jeff received orders for Elmendorf AFB (Anchorage, AK) which was our closest base to the then Soviet Union. As this was during the Cold War, this was a highly sensitive region.  During Jeff’s final two years in the Air Force, he was stationed at Kelly AFB (San Antonio, TX) in a “mobile unit” which went on various exercises and missions in support of our intelligence effort.  After completing his 4-year contract, Jeff completed his undergraduate and graduate studies and worked for more than forty years in the consumer packaged goods industry.

Fast forward to Lupe and Jeff’s son Eryk, who had expressed an interest in being in the military from a very young age. In his junior year of high school, he initially explored enlisting in the Air Force, but developed a better connection with the Navy recruiting team. He signed a delayed enlistment contract to begin Navy Boot Camp at Great Lakes Naval Station in July 2019, one month after graduating Waubonsie Valley HS.  

Eryk works in Naval Special Warfare Intelligence Group, and completed coursework in two schools to be a Cryptologic Technician (CTR).  After serving for nearly three years on the USS Bataan (Norfolk, VA) he is now stationed in San Diego, CA where he instructs sailors on the use of ship intelligence systems. While working in his official capacity, he is also attending college classes to get his degree in cyber security. Eryk is competing to achieve the rank of E-6. E-9 is the highest rank an enlisted soldier can achieve.

When the Stewart’s daughter, Jaclyn, expressed interest in joining the Air Force, the family was very surprised. Jackie attended Eryk’s boot camp graduation and was very impressed by many aspects of the event and the professionalism of the navy sailors. She had always been patriotic, and seeing her brother in uniform, along with the other sailors, was a life-changing event for her. In August of 2020, a few months after high school graduation, Jackie headed to the same base her father went to 45 years earlier!  Since this was during the pandemic, masks were worn by all recruits and family was barred from attending basic training graduation.  

Upon Jaclyn’s graduation from tech school in San Antonio, TX, she was sent to Lakenheath AFB in the UK (45 minutes from London) for two years, affording her parents the opportunity to go abroad for a visit. She serves in Air Force Medical Logistics and is now stationed at Nellis AFB (Las Vegas, NV) and is an E-4. Jackie has been taking college classes for the past two years, with a goal of completing her bachelor’s degree within the next few years.

Jeff says, “To see the way Eryk and Jackie have grown and matured has been phenomenal.  Our family is very proud of their choice to serve their country and safeguard our freedoms!” He and Lupe are understandably excited to share their enthusiasm with regards to the success of both their children.