Growing up in a landlocked part of the country, surrounded by wheat fields, I gave little attention to the United States Navy. My Grandpa Bud would occasionally share stories of serving in the Philippines during World War II, but I never grasped the magnitude of that service.
In high school, I passed by the military recruiters without much thought. I didn’t yet understand that service could take many forms—or that one of them might one day include me. My only glimpse of admiration came from watching Top Gun, my brother’s favorite movie, but even then, I never imagined myself capable of such discipline and courage.
Greg Tehven (third from the right) with a distinguished group of visitors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln that included Evan Spiegel (Founder of Snapchat), Stephen Streiffer (Director of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory), Jennifer Park Stout (SVP Global Policy & Platform Operations at Snapchat), Willie Shih (Robert & Jane Cizik Baker Foundation Professor of Management Practice at Harvard Business School), and AJ Bleyer (DGA Director and Founder/EP at Advent Films)
That perspective changed in 2015 during Fargo Navy Week. My friend Jerry Rostad invited me to meet North Dakota native Admiral Stuart Munsch, who at the time served as Commander of Submarine Group Seven. What began as a polite introduction quickly became a transformative conversation. Admiral Munsch opened my eyes to the innovation, precision, and leadership embedded in our armed forces. The Navy, I learned, wasn’t just about ships—it was about strategy, technology, and an unwavering commitment to service.
Fast forward to this year. On February 18, I received a rather unusual invitation from the Commander, Naval Air Forces’ Distinguished Visitor Program to spend 36 hours aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72). Within ten minutes, I said yes—having no idea what it entailed, where it was, or why I was invited.
A few weeks later, I found myself in a San Diego parking lot at 6 a.m., joining six strangers who would soon become fellow travelers on one of the most memorable experiences of my life.
We were hosted aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, where we ate with sailors, slept in the barracks, and navigated the ship’s tight corridors. We stood on the flight deck as F-35s thundered into the sky and listened to instructors briefing young pilots on their final qualifying flights before becoming active-duty aviators.
As Evan Spiegel, Co-Founder and CEO of Snapchat, later shared after our group’s visit:
“Landing on the deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln in a V-22 Osprey was exhilarating, and standing beside an F-35 as it launched was truly awe-inspiring, but what has stayed with me since was the incredible precision and unity of the crew. Watching the men and women on the flight deck choreograph a ballet of high-speed aircraft with unwavering focus and a deep commitment to safety was witnessing teamwork at its most extraordinary.”a
I couldn’t agree more. For me, three lessons remain etched in my mind:
1. The Power Of Sacrifice
The men and women who live at sea make immense personal sacrifices—missing birthdays, milestones, and quiet family moments. Equally profound are the sacrifices made by their families back home, who share their loved ones with the nation so the rest of us can enjoy peace and freedom.
2. Precision In Every Inch
Real estate aboard the ship is sacred. Every square foot is optimized for maximum efficiency—from how aircraft are maneuvered to how emergency medical operations are organized. It’s a masterclass in operational design and disciplined execution.
3. The Humility Of Not Knowing
I left the Abraham Lincoln humbled and realizing how much I had overlooked the complexity and commitment of this extraordinary institution. The experience deepened my respect not only for those who serve but for the innovation and leadership that sustain them.
As we flew back to the mainland, I felt immense pride for my Grandpa Bud, for Admiral Munsch, and for every North Dakotan who has served our country. I realized that the tax dollars from families like ours in the heartland help power one of the most sophisticated and selfless organizations on Earth.
Today, when I think about leadership, teamwork, and service, I often picture that flight deck—an orchestra of precision and purpose, led by people who embody the very best of America.
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