LT Stephen E. Velthuis was raised in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC. He earned an Associate of Arts in Business Administration from Montgomery College in 1990, and a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County in 1992. In 1996, he completed a Master of Arts degree in Christian Education from Ashland Theological Seminary. In 2007, he earned a Master of Divinity degree from Ashland. LT Velthuis was ordained into Naval Chaplaincy as a Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (USA) in 2008. In May 2008, Chaplain Velthuis reported for duty to Officer Development School and the Naval Chaplain’s Basic Course at Newport, RI.
Following graduation in August 2008, LT Velthuis reported for duty with Carrier Air Wing NINE (CVW-9) at NAS Lemoore, California. In January 2009, he deployed with Carrier Strike Group 3 aboard USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN 74) in support of FOAL EAGLE, NORTHERN EDGE, and 7th Fleet Operations. Prior to deployment LT Velthuis attained his F/A-18 backseat and MH-60 helicopter qualifications at MCAS Miramar. During the WESTPAC deployment LT Velthuis earned the Global War on Terrorism Service medal and the Sea Service Deployment ribbon. Post-deployment, LT Velthuis wrote CVW-9’s Command Suicide Prevention instruction, was instrumental in constructing the command’s social media policy, and received training in offering the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Instrument to military members.
In August 2010, LT Velthuis reported as command chaplain to US Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen, Aguadilla, PR where he conducted chapel services and educational programs, led COMRELs, and ministered to USCG personnel, their dependents, and many families attached to other Department of Homeland Security, DOD, and Federal agencies. LT Velthuis’ personal awards include a Meritorious Team Commendation medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the Coast Guard Commendation medal (2 awards).
In September 2013, LT Velthuis reported to 3d BN, 5th Marines, Camp Pendleton, CA where he serves as the Battalion Landing Team chaplain in support of 31st MEU and 7th Fleet Operations.