CDR Steffens is from Virginia Beach, VA, commissioning through Virginia Tech’s NROTC in 2003 with a degree in Technology Education and a graduate of the University of Maryland University College with a master’s in Technology Management.

His operational tours include FORT MCHENRY (LSD 43) in Sasebo, Japan as a Surface Warfare Officer; redesignating as a Naval Flight Officer in 2007, he served with VP-45 operating the P-3C Orion; as a department head at VP-8 deploying to 7th Fleet, where he received the Navy and Marine Association peer-selected leadership award for 2016. Steffens was the Commanding Officer of VP-26 deploying to Japan, El Salvador, and Iceland. Most recently he served as Navigator on board pre-commissioning unit KENNEDY (CVN 79) in Newport News, VA and USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) operating throughout the South China Sea.

Ashore, Steffens’ assignments include VP-30 instructing the first P-3 to P-8 squadron transitions, where he received NFO of the Year for Commander, Naval Air Forces Atlantic; He served as the flag aide to Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet; and as assistant Washington DC placement officer in Millington, TN.

He now serves as the Director of Plans, Training, and Requirements for the Patrol and Reconnaissance Group in Norfolk, VA.