Lieutenant Shaun Swartz is a native of Lima, Ohio, and grew up in Leawood, Kansas. He attended Blue Valley North High School for two years before spending a year abroad studying in Chambery, France. He returned to Blue Valley North High School for his senior year and graduated in 1991. Shaun lettered in football, was on the ski team, and was captain of the wrestling team. He attended Stanford University on a Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) scholarship and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1995, while participating on the varsity wrestling squad. He earned his commission as an ensign upon graduation in December 1995.

Shaun reported to flight school at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida, in January 1997 and received his wings of gold in May 1998. He then reported to Fighter Squadron 101 (VF 101), the "Grim Reapers," at NAS Oceana, Virginia, for training as a radar intercept officer (RIO) in the F-14 Tomcat.

In August 1999, Shaun reported to the "Fighting Checkmates" of VF 211 at NAS Oceana where he completed two Western Pacific deployments aboard the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), and was designated one of four Carrier Air Group 9 (CAG 9) forward air controllers (airborne). While with the "Checkmates," he served as first lieutenant, maintenance branch officer, schedules officer, and air-ground/TARPS/FAC(A) training officer. Shaun participated in Operations Southern Watch and Enduring Freedom, flying more than 40 combat missions.

In August 2002, Shaun returned to the VF 101 "Grim Reapers" as an instructor RIO. There he taught newly winged pilots how to effectively fight and employ the F-14. He served as public affairs officer, F-14 A/B/D program manager, AV/ARM division officer, and was selected to the 2004 F-14 demonstration team.