Vice Admiral Jeffrey Wieringa’s Naval service began in 1973 through the Aviation Reserve Officer Candidate Program. He graduated from Kansas State College, Pittsburg, Kan., with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics in 1975. Following his commissioning as an Ensign in 1976, he was designated as a Naval Aviator in 1977.

As a VA-128 trained A-6 Intruder pilot he completed tours in VA-145 onboard USS Ranger (CV 61) and VA-165 onboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). As a result of his performance, he was selected as "The Outstanding Naval Aviator United States Pacific Fleet".

VADM Wieringa has been an Operational Test Pilot (VX-5) and an Engineering Test pilot (VX-23). He graduated from the United States Naval Test Pilot School, completing the curriculum as Class Leader for Class 93. His flight test responsibilities included ordnance carriage/separation as well as carrier suitability envelope expansion flights on A-6 and A-7 aircraft, and all aspects of F/A-18 aircraft.

With over 21 years of acquisition experience, he served as an Aeronautical Engineering Duty Officer on the A-12, Avionics Systems Project Officer, and later the AX program as Assistant Program Manager (Systems Engineering) or "Class Desk Officer". He commanded the F/A-18 Program (PMA-265) supporting the first combat deployment of the Super Hornet in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He led three multi-year contracts totaling over $23 billion with savings over two billion, and the Super Hornet was awarded the Collier Award.

He has been both the Executive Director for Operations, Research and Engineering Group, and after selection to Rear Admiral, served as Commander, Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Assistant Commander for Research and Engineering, Naval Air Systems Command. He led, as the chief test pilot and chief engineer for Naval Aviation, over 17,500 personnel and 6 test squadrons.

VADM Wieringa’s career took an unprecedented change as the first Aerospace Engineering Duty Officer assigned as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for International Programs and Director, Navy International Programs Office. This tour was capped with the first sale of the Super Hornet to Australia and transfer of the first amphibious warship to India (ex-USS Trenton). Following the selection by the Secretary of Defense, on 29 August 2007, VADM Wieringa is the first Navy flag officer in over 30 years to direct the Defense Security Cooperation Agency.

He has flown 51 different types of aircraft with over 4,000 flight hours and 534 carrier landings. He is a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt. His personal awards include the Legion of Merit (three awards), Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards), and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.