Vance Fleet is the 2nd of 5 sons born to Ralph James “Jim” and Patricia “Pat” Fleet. Jim was a Navy veteran, so each of the five “Fleet” boys followed in his footsteps and joined the Navy immediately upon graduation from high school. They were all approximately a year apart, so they were all in the Navy at the same time for a short period.
Vance joined the Navy in 1981. He was a plank owner on the U.S.S. Cape Cod (AD 43) stationed out of 32nd Street in San Diego, California. After working as part of the deck crew for a short time, he became an Illustrator Draftsman (DM). Two of his brothers, Tracy and Erik, also served on the U.S.S. Cape Cod with Vance. After four years on the U.S.S. Cape Cod, Vance re-enlisted for two years and was stationed at NAS Miramar in San Diego. Vance completed his enlistment in November of 1987.
Following his service in the U.S. Navy, Vance was employed as a Graphic Artist / Illustrator with a local defense contractor in San Diego. In 1995 he moved to Highlands Ranch, Colorado, and began his Law Enforcement career in 1997. He retired from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office in 2022.