Colonel Christopher Steele is the Director of the Expeditionary Warfare School.
He enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve in 1994 and was commissioned in 1998, after graduating from the University of North Georgia.
An Infantry Officer, he served with 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines (2000-2003) as a Rifle Platoon Commander, Company Executive Officer, and Assistant Operations Officer. During this time, he deployed twice to Japan.
He then served as a Basic Officers Course Instructor, attended Expeditionary Warfare School (2005-2006), and then served with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines as Assistant Operations Officer and as a Company Commander. During this period, he deployed twice in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.
Next, he served as an Amphibious Warfare Instructor at Expeditionary Warfare Training Group, Atlantic (2008-2011), before attending Marine Corps Command and Staff College.
Colonel Steele became the Executive Officer of Battalion Landing Team 1/4, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (2012-2014) and completed a WESTPAC deployment. He then served as Executive Officer and Operations Officer for the 13th MEU Command Element. Promoted prior to deployment, he was reassigned as Commanding Officer of 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines. While he commanded 2/7 (2015-2016), it deployed as the Ground Combat Element of Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force, Crisis Response, Central Command (SPMAGTF-CR-CC).
Colonel Steele attended the Naval War College and then served as the Special Plans Branch Chief within NORAD and USNORTHCOM’s Strategy, Policy, and Plans Directorate (2018-2020).
Subsequently, he served as the Current Operations Officer for III Marine Expeditionary Force in Okinawa (2020-2021).
Afterward, he commanded the 5th Marine Regiment (2021-2023). The regimental headquarters deployed to Australia (2022), where it was the Command Element for Marine Rotational Force—Darwin.
Colonel Steele next served as the Chief of Staff in the Marine Corps’ Office of Legislative Affairs before becoming Director of Expeditionary Warfare School in July, 2024.