Cmdr. Lickteig graduated from Carleton College with a B.A. in psychology and from the University of Texas - Houston Health Science Center with a M.S. in biomedical science. He is a recent graduate of the U.S. Naval War College Advanced Strategist Program and earned an M.A. in national security and strategic studies. He served ten years in overseas commands located in Japan, Iraq and Germany and has over 2,200 operational flight hours. He is a qualified weapons and tactics instructor and served as a fleet replacement squadron Instructor. Cmdr. Lickteig served as the flag aide to commander, Carrier Strike Group Nine and to U.S. Africa Command deputy to the commander for military operations.