Lieutenant Colonel Autumn D. Swinford is from Fredericktown, Missouri, and was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) program at Northwestern University in June 2004. She then attended The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia, and Logistics Officers Course at Camp Johnson, North Carolina.

In August 2005, Second Lieutenant Swinford was assigned as a Motor Transport Platoon Commander with Combat Logistics Battalion 1. From February to September 2006, she deployed with Combat Logistics Battalion 5 to Camp Fallujah, Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom 05-07.

In October 2006, First Lieutenant Swinford joined Combat Logistics Battalion 13, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (13th MEU) as the Assistant Operations Officer.  During WESTPAC 07-01, 13th MEU deployed ashore to Al Anbar Province, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-08.  In February 2008, she executed orders to the Command Element, 13th MEU as the Assistant Logistics Officer and deployed for WESTPAC 09-01.

From July 2009 to July 2012, Captain Swinford was the Marine Officer Instructor at University of Missouri NROTC.  From July 2012 to May 2013, she attended Expeditionary Warfare School in Quantico, Virginia.  After graduation, Captain Swinford reported to Marine Wing Support Squadron 271 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point and assumed command of Motor Transport Company.  In September 2013, Captain Swinford joined Third Battalion, Eighth Marines to deploy with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa as the Uganda Security Cooperation Officer-in-Charge. 

In August 2014, Major Swinford joined Marine Aircraft Group 14 as the Group Logistics Officer.  In July 2016, she reported to U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe and Africa and was assigned as the G-4 European Operations and Plans Officer.  From July 2017 to July 2019, she performed the duties of Staff Secretary. From July 2019 to June 2020, Major Swinford attended Marine Corps Command and Staff College in Quantico, Virginia.

From June 2020 to May 2022, Lieutenant Colonel Swinford was the Speechwriter to the 35th and 36th Assistant Commandants of the Marine Corps.  She assumed command of 1st Landing Support Battalion on 22 June 2022.

Lieutenant Colonel Swinford has earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with Honors in American Culture Studies and American History from Northwestern University, a Master of Public Affairs degree from University of Missouri, and a Master of Military Studies degree from Marine Corps University.  She is a Distinguished Graduate of Expeditionary Warfare School and Marine Corps Command and Staff College, and has completed the Air War College Distance Education Program.