Jovan “Q” Quarles” served 15 years as a NAVY SEAL. He is considered to be the first Black male to graduate SEAL training at the top of his class, where he became an honor graduate of basic underwater demolition seal (BUD/s) and seal qualification training (SQT class). Starting from a group of 270, Quarles was one of 15 men to graduate, receiving the Honorman award for his training. Despite his kidney’s failing due to exertion during the ‘hell week’ stage of training, Quarles successfully completed selection. His training helmet is now displayed in the NAVY SEAL museum.

Quarles has served on Operation Iraqi Freedom, worked on multiple Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) top secret missions and is a leading SEAL supervisor. In this supervisor role, Jovan performs high risk instructor duties for ten SEAL Officer Assessment and Selection event panels, which consist of highly qualified candidates for the Naval Special Warfare (NSW) Officer Program. As an instructor, Jovan has coordinated and led over 50 Physical Standard Tests, providing more than 1,200 Navy Sailors an opportunity to gauge their physical standing as potential candidates within the NSW community. He has led NSW Engagements and Community outreach events in high schools and D1 colleges across the country, as well as two overseas events.