CAPT Van Benthem hails from Schenectady, New York, enlisting in the Navy after graduating high school. Upon completion of nuclear power, nuclear welder, and SCUBA training, he served on the USS Archerfish (SSN678) and commissioning crew of the USS Ohio (SSBN726). After leaving active service, he graduated from the University of Kansas in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and from the University of Toledo in 1992 with a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He was commissioned as an Engineering Duty Officer in 1987.

CAPT Van Benthem previously served as the Deputy, Open Architecture Implementation for the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, Test and Evaluation.

Previous reserve assignments include Gaining Command Liaison Officer of SIMA NORFOLK Detachment 513; Executive Officer of SUPSHIP STURGEON BAY Detachment 1013; Training Officer of NAVSEA INDUSTMOB Detachment 713; Project Officer for NAVSEA DET 1206; Executive Officer for NSY PORTSMOUTH, NH Detachment 501; Commanding Officer of NSY PORTSMOUTH, NH DET 602: Projects Officer for SPAWAR DET 101, CO of SPAWAR Detachment 119, Deputy Program Manager for the SPAWAR Fleet Liaison Officer Program, Strike Group Fleet Readiness Officer for the SPAWAR Fleet Readiness Directorate and NAVSEA Submarine Programs Team Subs Department Head. CAPT Van Benthem has worked on the MCM-1 Class and USS Seawolf (SSN-21) new construction programs; shipyard availabilities on the USS Sentry (MCM-3), USS Reid (FFG-30), USS O’Brien (DD975), and USS Reclaimer (ARS-42); USS HELENA (SSN725) Depot Modernization; and C4ISR systems installation support for various submarines.