United States Navy

Captain Schlientz is a native of Tucumcari, New Mexico and a 1977 distinguished graduate of the United States Naval Academy. He is married to the former Brenda Jones of Beltsville, Maryland and they reside in Yokosuka, Japan with their sons, Ryan and David. He graduated with distinction from the United States Naval War College in 1997, earning a Masters Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. Designated a Naval Flight Officer in 1978, Captain Schlientz has served in a broad range of operational, staff, and command billets.

Operational tours at sea include an Indian Ocean deployment and Mediterranean deployment with VF-142 flying the F-14 Tomcat on board USS EISENHOWER (CVN 69); a Western Pacific and Indian Ocean deployment on board USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63) while Flag Lieutenant for Commander, Carrier Group SEVEN; a Red Sea deployment as operations officer with VF-103 on board USS SARATOGA (CV 60) flying the F-14 in combat during Operation Desert Storm; and forward deployed operations in the Western Pacific and a Persian Gulf deployment while serving in his present assignment as Executive Officer of USS INDEPENDENCE (CV 62).

Shore and staff assignments include a tour at the U.S. Naval Academy as a Company Officer and subsequently as Executive Assistant to the Commandant; instructor duty flying the F-14 Tomcat at VF-101; a tour as F-14 Readiness Officer for Commander Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet; and a tour at the U.S. Naval War College.

Command experiences include an abbreviated assignment as the last Commanding Officer of VF-33 before its disestablishment, where he deployed to the Persian Gulf in USS AMERICA (CV66); and a tour as Commanding Officer of VF-103 where he made a deployment to Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas on board USS SARATOGA (CV 60) participating in Operation Deny Flight in the skies over Bosnia. During his command tour, VF-103 incorporated night vision devices and the LANTIRN FLIR/Laser Precision Targeting System, firsts for any F-14 squadron.

During his career, Captain Schlientz has flown over 3800 flight hours, including more than 3600 flight hours and over 1000 arrested landings in the F-14 on 11 different carriers. He has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with combat V (individual and two strike/flight awards), Navy Commendation Medal with combat V (six awards), Navy Achievement Medal, and various unit and service awards.