LtCol Christopher Steele is a native of Fayetteville, Georgia. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve in 1994. Upon completion of Officer Candidate School and graduation from North Georgia College, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. In 1999, after completion of the Basic Officers Course and the Infantry Officers Course, he was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines.
From 1999 to 2003, Lieutenant Steele served as a Rifle Platoon Commander, Company Executive Officer and Assistant Operations Officer. He completed two deployments to Okinawa, Japan during this time, participating in the Korean Incremental Training Program (KITP), Exercise BALIKATAN, Exercise TANDEM THRUST, and the FUJI COMBINED ARMS EXERCISE.
Upon completion of his tour with 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, Captain Steele served as a Basic Officers Course Instructor in Quantico, Virginia. After spending a year in the Warfighting Department, he served as a Staff Platoon Commander for Alpha Company, Echo Company and India Company. He attended the Expeditionary Warfare School from 2005 to 2006 and was then ordered to report to 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines.
Captain Steele executed two deployments in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM during his time with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines. He served as the Assistant Operations Officer during his first deployment and the Commanding Officer of Company G during his second deployment.
Upon completion of his time with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, Major Steele was reassigned to the Expeditionary Warfare Training Group, Atlantic (EWTGLANT). From 2008 to 2011, Major Steele served as an Amphibious Warfare Instructor. Upon completion of his tour at EWTGLANT, Major Steele attended the Marine Corps Command and Staff College in Quantico, Virginia. After completion of this course, he received orders to report to 1st Battalion, 4th Marines for service as the Battalion Executive Officer.
Major Steele served as the Executive Officer for Battalion Landing Team 1/4 from 2012 to 2014 and completed a WESTPAC deployment in support of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). Upon completion of this tour, he was ordered to report to the 13th MEU Command Element, where he served as the Executive Officer and Operations Officer.