After Graduation from PAHS in 1985 BJ Schweikert then attended Courses of instruction at Bloomsburg University as part of the Upward Bound Bridge Program and then on to Thaddeus Stevens Sate School of Technology in Lancaster Pennsylvania in majoring in Graphic Arts. While there he worked in the campus cafeteria and with the football team as a camera man for the Stevens Trade Coaching Staff to review previous games and improve on the team’s overall performance. He graduated with an Associates degree in 1987 and took on a job in the printing field in Lancaster. His first job didn't last long (only three months) before he was laid off due to company cutbacks. He then worked a series of odd jobs as a temp service employee and in the bindery department at another local printing company.
With finances running low and in need of full time employment he then turned to the US Army and contacted the recruiter asking for information to join. The process took several weeks and he was unable to wait due to the drain on his finances. He then contacted the Navy Recruiter and joined in 1988 and was whisked off t basic training at Recruit Training Command, San Diego California. Upon completion of Basic training and Seamen Apprentiship training in San Diego he then was transferred to his first Ship, USS Saratoga(CV60) in dry-dock at Portsmouth Virginia. While there he was attached to 3rd division Deck department as a non rated seaman. He met and married his wife Chazvon Schweikert of 21 years on March 10th of 1989. USS Saratoga was then transferred to Mayport, Fl and began its underway qualification for its deployment to the Mediterranean in October of 1990. When Sadam Hussian invaded the tiny Country of Kuwait in 1990 USS Saratoga was one of three battle groups deployed to the Red Sea and Persian Gulf and broke the record for the most transits through the Suez Canal in 1990-1991. While onboard SN Schweikert was promoted to petty officer third class in the printing field (LI3). In addition to serving in the ships print ship he also was temporarily assigned to the ships security force.
At the Concussion of his first enlistment in 1992 a new invention was sweeping the nation and automating the printing industry. Introduced by Bill Gates, Microsoft Windows revolutionized the printing field and would then force LI3 Schweikert to consider a new career path. In July of 1992 LI3 Schweikert re-enlisted in the Full Time Support community as an Interior Communications Electrician (IC) and competed school in San Diego, CA. Subsequent posts include Shore Intermediate Maintenance Activity San Francisco, and Pascagoula Mississippi as a repair technician on interior communication equipment on board Naval ships assigned to the San Francisco Bay area and the Mississippi Gulf Coast area. During this time he was promoted to Second class petty officer (E5) His training also included the completion of close circuit television system (SITE TV) and cable distribution systems. In 1996 he saw orders and was stationed on board USS John F. Kennedy (CV67) attached to the commands Aft IC shop then upon promotion to the rank of first class petty officer he assumed the role of work center supervisor and assistant department Leading Petty Officer. While onboard he completed his qualifications in Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist (ESWS). A prestigious warfare qualification now required on US Navy Ships. His transfer then took him to Navy and Marine Corps Reserve Center, Norfolk Virginia where he served as the training department leading petty officer and responsible for an Annual Training budget of over 1 million dollars and provided support to three thousand drilling reservists assigned. He also served as the vice president of the commands first class association and was lead instructor for the commands indoctrination program. This after successful completion of Basic instructor school at the Trident Training Facility in Georgia. His efforts resulted in his two time selection as Sailor of the quarter and selection as sailor of the Year in December of 2001.
His next challenge was the acceptance of orders as a Recruit Division Commander, Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes Illinois. This position, equivalent to what most would understand as a Drill Sergeant, gave IC1 Schweikert the opportunity to train his relief. Known to all sailors as the Quarter Deck of the Navy IC1 Schweikert successfully trained two divisions before he was notified by the Base Commanding Officer that he was one of only two selected to the rank of Chief Petty Officer in 2003. Following this monumental achievement and milestone in his Navy Career he continued to train fifteen divisions and served as a Facilitator at the center point of Recruit Training at BATTLESTATIONS. After this highly successful tour. He was then posted to the position of Senior Enlisted Leader, Navy Operational Support Center Austin Tx. In addition to his primary duties he took on several additional and challenging roles to include, Network Administrator, Facilities Manager, Command Casualty Assistance and Control Officer(CACO), Training Officer, Senior Enlisted Advisor, Executive Officer, EKMS Manager, and Command Fire Marshal. His efforts yielded a number of command improvements the most notable was a forty percent increase in promotions to include twenty-two new Chief Petty Officers over a three year period. This was up from a previous average of only three. He also led the Commands Chiefs mess in supporting several community programs to include meals on wheels, habitat for humanities, and marched in the local Veterans Day Parade organized by the NOSC Austin CPOA. Other accomplishments include support for the Texas military ball in Dallas Texas where he provided support for the Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs, ADM Michael Mullen and the return home of remains of two Sailors and one Marine from the Republic of Texas Navy in 2006. His wife Chazvon also headed up the commands family Ombudsman program providing support to families of deployed service members in theater in Afghanistan and Iraq. This also included support to families of hurricane victims along the gulf Coast.
He is currently assigned to Navy Operational Support Center Pensacola as the New Accession Training Regional Representative proving support to sailors in pay grades E1-E3 at three different basses in the Florida area.
Chief Schweikert has received twenty-five awards over his twenty-one years of Naval service. Personal awards include:
Navy Good Conduct Award (Five awards), Navy Reserve Good Conduct Award (one award), Navy and Marie Achievement Medal (two awards), and the Navy Commendation Medal (two awards)