John E. Sparks

John Edward Sparks was raised in Mount Holly, New Jersey and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in July 1971.

Court of Appeals service

On July 30, 2015, President Obama nominated Sparks to serve as a judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, to the seat vacated by Judge James E. Baker, who took senior status on July 31, 2015. This is an Article I Judicial appointment with a term of fifteen years. On December 9, 2015, he received a hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee. His nomination was reported out of committee on December 15, 2015. The Senate confirmed his nomination on April 5, 2016, by voice vote. He received his commission on April 19, 2016, and took the judicial oath the same day. By law, his commission will expire on July 31, 2031, at which time his term will end, unless he is reappointed.

Personal

Sparks and his wife live in Virginia. They have three adult children.