Guy M Snodgrass
A native of Colleyville, Texas, Guy Snodgrass graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1998 with a Bachelors of Science degree in Computer Science.
Previously a Navy F/A-18 fighter pilot, Mr. Snodgrass led combat sorties in support of forces on the ground during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Subsequently selected as a TOPGUN Instructor, he served as the air-to-air mission planning subject matter expert for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Mr. Snodgrass then transferred to Atsugi, Japan where he served as a Training Officer and Department Head with the “Diamondbacks” of VFA-102, supporting multinational operations in the Asia-Pacific region. During this tour, the Diamondbacks received numerous awards for command excellence. Mr. Snodgrass was also selected as the 2008 Strike Fighter Wing Pacific Pilot of the Year, 2009 Strike Fighter Wing Pacific Tactical Aviator of the Year, 2010 Naval Air Forces Pacific Michael G. Hoff Attack Aviator of the Year, and for the peer-awarded 2010 Naval Air Forces Pacific Navy and Marine Corps Leadership Award.
Mr. Snodgrass then attended the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. Selected as a Mahan Scholar, he completed additional studies in areas of national strategic significance, including nuclear deterrence, cyber warfare, and the employment of space systems. At the completion of his studies, he graduated first in his class, earning a Masters of Art degree in National Security and Strategic Studies (Highest Distinction). He was also the President’s Honor Graduate and was selected for the Admiral William Sims Award as the college’s Distinguished Graduate.
Following his tour in the Pentagon, then-Commander Snodgrass returned to Atsugi, Japan, where he had command of an F/A-18E Super Hornet squadron. During this tour he created the 2015 Far East Commanders Conference; the Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet’s 2016 Pacific Warfighter Symposium; and the “Benkyoukai Initiative,” a tactical-level partnership with Japanese Air Self Defense Force squadrons. During this period, the men and women of the “Dambusters” earned the 2017 Battle Efficiency award as the finest Super Hornet squadron in the Western hemisphere.
After his command tour, Mr. Snodgrass reported to the Pentagon as Director of Communications and Chief Speechwriter to Secretary Jim Mattis, the 26th Secretary of Defense, where he was responsible for leading the speechwriting team and coordinating all testimony and public remarks. In this role he served as Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Defense for Communication, assisting the Secretary of Defense and senior Department of Defense leaders as they formulated, articulated, and refined strategic messages and policies.
During his time as a Navy pilot, Mr. Snodgrass logged more than 2,784 total flight hours, 2,390 F/A-18 flight hours, 719 carrier landings, and was presented with the Defense Superior Service Award at retirement.
