Prior to his appointment to ASN (RDA), Stackley served as a professional staff member of the United States Senate Committee on Armed Services.

During his tenure with the committee, he was responsible for overseeing Navy and Marine Corps programs, U.S. Transportation Command matters and related policy for the Seapower Subcommittee.

[1] Stackley began his U.S. Navy career as a Surface Warfare Officer (SWO), serving in engineering and combat systems assignments aboard U.S.S.

Upon completing his warfare qualifications as a SWO, he transferred from the Unrestricted Line to the Restricted Line and was designated as an Engineering Duty Officer (EDO), serving in a series of industrial, fleet, program office and headquarters assignments in ship design and construction, maintenance, logistics and acquisition policy.

[1][2] Stackley was commissioned and graduated with distinction from the United States Naval Academy in 1979, with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.