Lieutenant Colonel Sawyer was commissioned upon graduation from the University of Mississippi through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps in December 2007. After completing The Basic School and the Field Artillery Basic Officer Course, Lieutenant Colonel Sawyer reported to 10th Marine Regiment aboard Camp Lejeune, NC. After checking in, he was assigned to Battery B, 1st Battalion, 10th Marines, where he served as Guns Platoon Commander, Fire Direction Officer, and Battery Fire Support Officer.
During the spring of 2011, he assumed the role of Executive Officer for Battery B, 1st Battalion, 10th Marines deploying as part of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, where the battery performed a dual fire support and provisional infantry mission at the Kajaki Dam, Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Upon returning from deployment in June 2011, Lieutenant Colonel Sawyer became the Battalion Assistant Operations Officer. In September 2011, he assumed command of Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 10th Marines.
In June 2012, Lieutenant Colonel Sawyer reported to The Basic School in Quantico, VA. There he served as the Fire Support Platoon Commander for Warfighting Instructor Company and as the Fires Package primary instructor for all fire support instruction taught at The Basic School. From July 2013 to November 2014, Lieutenant Colonel Sawyer served as Staff Platoon Commander for Fox Company 6-13 and Delta Company 4-14. At the conclusion of his second Basic Officer Course tour, Lieutenant Colonel Sawyer served his remaining time at The Basic School as a primary instructor with the Tactical Planning Package within Warfighting Instructor Company.
In August 2015, Lieutenant Colonel Sawyer reported to Expeditionary Warfare School for the resident professional military education course. Upon completion of school, Lieutenant Colonel Sawyer reported to 5th Battalion, 11th Marines aboard Camp Pendleton, CA. In June 2016, Lieutenant Colonel Sawyer took command of Battery S, 5th Battalion, 11th Marines. From November 2016 to May 2017, Battery S was deployed forward to the Indo-Pacific Area of Operations in support of the Forward Deployed Forces program.
In July of 2017, he transferred to the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit to serve as the Fire Support Officer. In May 2019, Lieutenant Colonel Sawyer deployed in support of Western Pacific Deployment 19-2 with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group. In July 2020, Lieutenant Colonel Sawyer reported to Air University for resident intermediate level school at the Air Command and Staff College aboard Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, AL.
In February 2021, Lieutenant Colonel Sawyer received orders to 1st Battalion, 10th Marines. Upon his return to 1st Battalion, 10th Marines, Lieutenant Colonel Sawyer attended the Advanced Maneuver Warfare Course and then was assigned as the Battalion Operations Officer. In August of 2022, Lieutenant Colonel Sawyer was selected to become the II Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) Staff Secretary. In July 2023, Lieutenant Colonel Sawyer reported to the II MEF G-39/Fires and Effects Coordination Center to serve as the Deliberate Targeting Officer. Upon conclusion of his tour on the II MEF staff, Lieutenant Colonel Sawyer returned to 10th Marine Regiment, where he currently serves as the Regimental Executive Officer.
Lieutenant Colonel Sawyer's personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with second gold star in lieu of third award, and the Combat Action Ribbon. Lieutenant Colonel Sawyer holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Mississippi and a Masters in Military Operational Art and Science from Air University.