Commander Timothy M. Steele Executive Officer
Commander Steele was born and raised in a small town in Southwest Wisconsin. He began his Navy career in 1983 when he enlisted as a Machinist Mate. Upon high school graduation attended recruit training and “A” school in Great Lakes, Illinois.
His first permanent duty station was aboard the USS DONALD B. BEARY (FF-1085) home-ported in Norfolk, VA and there he deployed twice including an extended deployment to the Mediterranean Sea supporting Libya Contingency Operations in 1986. CDR Steele then volunteered and completed a one-year unaccompanied tour on USS LASALLE (AGF-3), forward deployed to the Northern Arabian Sea. While there he qualified as an Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist, Engineering Officer of the Watch, and was selected for Sailor of the Quarter. Upon transfer, CDR Steele went on to serve in USS SACRAMENTO (AOE-1) in Bremerton, Washington where he deployed to the Northern Arabian Sea in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
In 1992, CDR Steele transferred to the Bureau of Naval Personnel in Washington, D.C. where he served as a Machinist Mate detailer. He was advanced to Chief Petty Officer in 1992 and in April 1994 Steele was approved for direct conversion to the Gas Turbine System Technician (Mechanical) rating. In 1995, he returned to Great Lakes Naval Training Center and completed Advanced Gas Turbine School, Instructor School, and the Senior Enlisted Propulsion Engineering Course (SEPEC). In April 1997, then Chief Steele entered the officer ranks as an Engineering Limited Duty Officer Ensign. His first assignment was as Main Propulsion Assistant in USS CAMDEN (AOE-2), in Bremerton, WA. During this tour CDR Steele would qualify as a Surface Warfare Officer, deploy to the Arabian Gulf twice, and be recognized as the Kitsap County Retired Officer Association 1999 Junior Officer of the Year. From there Steele served as Electrical Officer in USS KEARSARGE (LHD-3) in Norfolk, Virginia and was deployed to the Mediterranean Sea during the September 11th, 2001 attacks.
In January 2002, CDR Steele transferred the Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center and served as the Cruiser, Destroyer, and Frigate Type Desk Officer. There he completed an undergraduate degree from Excelsior College and, in 2003, was approved for Lateral Conversion to the Unrestricted Surface Line community. CDR Steele’s department head assignments included USS BARRY (DDG-52) in Norfolk, Virginia as Weapons Officer where Steele once again to deployed the Northern Arabian Sea and USS CARNEY (DDG-64) in Mayport, Florida as Combat Systems Officer where he completed deployments to Central and South America.
In 2007 CDR Steele attended the Air Command and Staff College in Montgomery, AL and where he earned a Master’s Degree in Joint Military Studies. Upon graduation in 2008, he completed an Individual Augmentee assignment as a Guantanamo Bay detainee case writer.
CDR Steele’s most recent assignment was at USJFCOM where he served as a Joint Operational Planner for the Joint Enabling Capabilities Command (JECC) in support of worldwide contingency operations. While assigned, he supported efforts with deployments to Afghanistan, Japan (earthquake relief efforts), and Germany (Libya-Operation Odyssey Dawn) as well earning qualification as a Joint Exercise Training Team member for the Joint Staff J7. CDR Steele reported to for current assignment as Assault Craft Unit FOUR Executive Officer in February 2012.
CDR Steele's personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal (2), Navy Commendation Medal (5), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy Achievement Medal (4), Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Navy Unit Commendation (2), Navy Battle "E" Award (2), Good Conduct Medal (3), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Navy Expeditionary Medal (3), National Defense Service Medal (2), Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (6), as well as unit and other campaign awards.
He is married to his and has four children.