If you’re a fan of the iconic United States Navy Blue Angels and happened to see a performance during the 2022 airshow season, hopefully, you paid close attention to the narration. The voice you heard was that of Lt. Griffin Stangel, North Dakota ’12. Stangel was selected for the flight demonstration squadron in 2021 after a monthslong application and interview process. He served as narrator during the 2022 season and also flew the number 7 plane.

Stangel said since high school, he’s thrived when he is part of a group that he can make better, but one that also pushes him to be his best. “During high school, I rowed and participated in Scouts. When those both ended, I found myself looking for that sense of family and teamwork that I had experienced before college,” he shared.

“Being part of SigEp in college gave me the opportunity to work with my brothers to accomplish some amazing things, and that leadership experience was something I took with me into my military career.” That outlook also influenced his decision to apply to become a member of the Blue Angels.

Stangel’s love of planes started at a young age and led him to take aviation courses while in high school. Touring the University of North Dakota and learning about the school’s highly renowned aviation program inspired him to turn his passion into his profession. He studied aviation, earning a degree in air traffic control. As an undergraduate, he joined SigEp’s North Dakota Alpha chapter and served as chaplain.

In his junior year, he signed on to become a Navy pilot after graduation, and by 2014 was a member of Strike Fighter Squadron 122. After multiple deployments in the Pacific, including one to RIMPAC — the world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise — Stangel returned to the squadron. He’s now an instructor, training other pilots to do what he loves most.