Jennifer Surwilo
Special Agent, NCIS
After six years of civil service with the Department of the Army and DIA in Germany, I found my calling to serve in federal law enforcement. I was hired by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) in 2000. While in training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) the USS Cole was bombed. A year later the terrorist attacks on 9/11 occurred on U.S. soil and I responded to New York City where I represented NCIS at an FBI command center in a 26th Street parking garage. In support of the criminal investigation, PENTBOMB, leads came in and were run down with analytical checks and interviews. The response to 9/11 was one of the most meaningful highlights of my career.
From 2000-2003, I worked general crimes investigations and proactive criminal operations aboard Naval Station Newport, RI.
From 2003-2004, I served as the Agent Afloat aboard the USS Peleliu (LHA 5) out of San Diego, CA in support of the Global War on Terrorism with missions in Singapore, Kuwait and Darwin, Australia. I returned to Newport, RI where I continued investigating a variety of felony level cases brought to the USAO or UCMJ.
From 2008-2011, I transferred to the Hawaii Field Office aboard Pearl Harbor-Hickham where I served on the counterintelligence (CI) squad and major case response team.
In 2012, I transferred to NCIS Fort Devens, MA to conduct CI investigations and operations while also supporting the most sensitive and classified U.S. Navy technologies at defense facilities throughout New England.
In 2014, I again volunteered to serve aboard the newly constructed USS American (LHA 6), taking the ship from Mississippi, around South America, through the Straits of Magellan, to San Diego, CA.
Additional highlights of my career included over 20 trips to Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City and St John’s NL in support of criminal investigations and force protection missions during ship visits. In August 2025, I spent a month at the Pentagon on the Commandant of the Marine Corps protective service detail.
I retired after 25 years of federal law enforcement service which could not have been possible without the love, encouragement and support of my family which allowed me to live my dream of adventure and service to the United States.
