United States Navy
Commander Stehlin is a native of Mountain Lakes, New Jersey. She attended the University of North Carolina, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Peace, War and Defense. Commander Stehlin received her commission through UNC NROTC in May 2004. After completing primary flight training with the Eighth Flying Training Squadron (8th FTS) in Enid, OK, Commander Stehlin reported to Helicopter Training Squadron EIGHT (HT-8) in Milton, FL, where she was designated as a Naval Aviator.
Upon completion of her initial training in the MH-60S, she then reported to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron TWO SIX (HSC-26) at Chambers Field in Norfolk, Virginia. While assigned to the “Chargers,” Commander Stehlin deployed with the Detachment ONE “Desert Hawks” to NSA BAHRAIN twice. She also deployed onboard USS ROOSEVELT (CVN 71), USS TRUMAN (CVN 75), HMS ARK ROYAL, USNS MOUNT BAKER and USS BONHOMME RICHARD.
After her initial sea tour, Commander Stehlin reported to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron TWO (HSC-2) where she served as a Flight Instructor. While at HSC-2 she served as the Command Fitness Leader, the Squadron’s Legal Officer, the Flight Scheduling Officer, and Standardization Officer. She was qualified as a NATOPS Instructor Pilot, Functional Check Pilot, Crew Resource Management Facilitator, and Instructor Pilot Evaluator, and was selected as Instructor Pilot of the Year in 2012.
Upon completion of her Instructor tour, Commander Stehlin reported to OPNAV staff where she served as the Deputy Executive Assistant (DEA) to the Director of Warfare Integration (N9I) at the Pentagon, in Washington, D.C. During her time in D.C., Commander Stehlin also completed the Naval War College Fleet Seminar Program earning a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies in June of 2015.
Commander Stehlin returned to the “Chargers” of HSC-26 in Norfolk, VA for her Department Head tour in 2015. She served as the Officer in Charge (OIC) of the “Desert Hawks” in Bahrain and OIC onboard USS PONCE (AFSB(I) 15) in support of Joint Special Operations Task Force 565. She also served as the Squadron Operations Officer and OIC for several shore-based unit level training detachments and Carrier Qualification onboard USS TRUMAN (CVN-75) and USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN-73).
Ashore Commander Stehlin began a joint tour as a Senior Military Advisor at the Department of State, Washington D.C. She represented the Department to the interagency across the emergency management spectrum and assisted in interagency policy decisions and the validation of national strategic plans under a unified Federal response. She also coordinated all international involvement in government exercises involving threats to the homeland, aligning foreign interests with U.S. government objectives.
Commander Stehlin is a 2020-2021 Federal Executive Fellow in the International Security Studies Program at the Fletcher School, Tufts University.
Commander Stehlin’s personal awards include the Single Action Air Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (4th Award), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (4th Award), and various unit and campaign decorations. She has accumulated over 2,500 flight hours and currently resides in Cambridge, MA.