Dennis Sniffin was commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy and began flight training in 1968, earning his wings in December of that year. He was then assigned to NAS Whiting Field in Florida as an instrument flight instructor in the T-28. In 1971, he joined VS-32 at NAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island, flying the S-2E and deploying aboard the USS Wasp. After retiring his commission in 1973, he enlisted in the Navy Reserves at NAS South Weymouth near Boston, Massachusetts.
In 1974, he returned to his hometown of Fresno, California, and began a career in agricultural aviation. In 1987, he was hired by WestAir Airlines, flying the J-31 Jetstream, and nine years later joined SkyWest Airlines to fly the EMB-120 Brasilia. He also served as Flight Standards Manager at SkyWest headquarters and retired in 2018.
