Captain Cheever is a native of Downers Grove, Illinois, and a 1986 graduate of Western Illinois University with a Bachelor of Business. After graduation he worked for a fortune 500 company. He received his Wings of Gold in June 1990 in Beeville, Texas, and orders to fly the F/A-18C.
CAPT Cheever’s command tour was from June 2005 to May 2008, VFA-147 "The Argonauts", NAS Lemoore, California; flying the F/A-18C Hornet and transitioning to the F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to CVW-9 aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). During his command tour after a highly successful combat cruise in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, Team ARGO was awarded the 2007 CNAF Battle "E", Michael J. Estocin, and CNO Safety "S”. From June 2008 to April 2011, he served as TOPGUN and STRIKE Department Head and Special Assistant at the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center.
In February-March 2011 he served as the NALE at 17th Air Forces in Ramstein, Germany, planning Operation ODYSSEY DAWN, Libya. From April-August, he served as Battle Director at the CAOC in Al Udeid AFB, Qatar. From September-November 2011, he completed JPME II at the Joint Forces Staff College resulting in qualification as a Joint Qualified Officer. He reported to CVW-8 in May 2012.
CAPT Cheever’s other at-sea tours include tours with VFA-195 “Dambusters,” 1991-1995, where he was selected as the Commander Strike Fighter Wing U.S. Pacific Fleet Admiral Wesley McDonald Junior Officer of the Year in Atsugi, Japan, aboard USS Independence (CV 62), VFA-146 “Blue Diamonds,” 1998-2000, and VFA-147 “Argonauts,” 2000-2002, in Lemoore, California, aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74).
CAPT Cheever’s shore tours include instructor, Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN), 1995-1998, and aide to the 15th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, 2002-2004.
CAPT Cheever’s decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal Strike/Flight, Battle E (3 awards), and various campaign and unit awards.