Swanson, a veteran himself, has long championed veterans' issues and has been an advocate throughout his service in the Illinois General Assembly. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2017 and currently serves on the House Veterans' Affairs Committee.
Swanson first enlisted in the Illinois Army National Guard on August 11, 1977 as a 63B Generator and Wheel Vehicle Mechanic. He was selected on March 1, 1980 to serve on an active duty tour with the Illinois Army National Guard. He attended Officer Candidate School at the Illinois Military Academy and commissioned a Second Lieutenant on June 14, 1986. He retired January 31, 2001 after 20 years Active Duty and over 3 years as a Traditional Guardsman.
After watching the soldiers he trained through his military career go to war, he volunteered and was recalled to active duty on July 1, 2007, to serve with the Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq; Coalition Army Advisory Training Team, Baghdad, Iraq. He was assigned as Deputy Director, Iraqi Army Force Generation. He coordinated and synchronized the recruiting, training, equipping and basing Iraqi Army units with Coalition and Iraqi Leadership. He completed his tour June 25, 2008 and returned to retirement July 14, 2008. Dan earned the Bronze Star and Combat Action Badge.
On April 3, 2010, he was recalled to Active Duty to serve with the Army Sustainment Command, Rock Island Arsenal and assigned as Chief, Logistics Synchronization and Integration Cell for the Lead Materiel Integrator Mission. He led a team of soldiers and civilians, which transitioned the mission to equip the Army from the Pentagon to Army Sustainment Command at cost savings and jobs. He returned to retirement April 2, 2013
Swanson first enlisted in the Illinois Army National Guard on August 11, 1977 as a 63B Generator and Wheel Vehicle Mechanic. He was selected on March 1, 1980 to serve on an active duty tour with the Illinois Army National Guard. He attended Officer Candidate School at the Illinois Military Academy and commissioned a Second Lieutenant on June 14, 1986. He retired January 31, 2001 after 20 years Active Duty and over 3 years as a Traditional Guardsman.
After watching the soldiers he trained through his military career go to war, he volunteered and was recalled to active duty on July 1, 2007, to serve with the Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq; Coalition Army Advisory Training Team, Baghdad, Iraq. He was assigned as Deputy Director, Iraqi Army Force Generation. He coordinated and synchronized the recruiting, training, equipping and basing Iraqi Army units with Coalition and Iraqi Leadership. He completed his tour June 25, 2008 and returned to retirement July 14, 2008. Dan earned the Bronze Star and Combat Action Badge.
On April 3, 2010, he was recalled to Active Duty to serve with the Army Sustainment Command, Rock Island Arsenal and assigned as Chief, Logistics Synchronization and Integration Cell for the Lead Materiel Integrator Mission. He led a team of soldiers and civilians, which transitioned the mission to equip the Army from the Pentagon to Army Sustainment Command at cost savings and jobs. He returned to retirement April 2, 2013
Swanson's expertise in veterans issues is well regarded and sought out by his colleagues in the House of Representatives. He is most deserving of the recognition bestowed upon him by the VFW.