LtCol Shawn Stelzel was raised in Lavon, Texas. He graduated from Texas A&M University and commissioned in 2008. He was designated a Naval Aviator in 2011 and subsequently qualified in the MV-22B.

His operational assignments include Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 266 in New River, North Carolina, the Presidential Helicopter Squadron (HMX-1) in Quantico, Virginia, and VMM-364 in Camp Pendleton, California. He has served in a variety of billets within the squadrons predominantly in Operations, Safety/Standardization, and as a White House Liaison at HMX-1. His deployments include the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) aboard the USS Kearsarge, a Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force (SPMAGTF) in support of Africa, and another SPMAGTF to Central Command in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE.

His staff positions include being the Staff Secretary for 3d Marine Aircraft Wing and the Aide de Camp for the 35th and 36th Assistant Commandants of the Marine Corps. Additionally, LtCol Stelzel served in Headquarters Marine Corps Aviation as a Plans, Policy, and Operations Liaison and an International Plans and Policy Officer.

His formal education includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Economics, a Master’s in Business Administration, and is a graduate of the Marine Corps’ Expeditionary Warfare School and Command and Staff College. He is married to Cassie and they have three children.