Captain Axel L. Steiner

Captain Steiner is a native of Toulouse, France. He received his Commission through the NROTC Unit at the George Washington University where he graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Affairs. He subsequently earned a Master of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Missouri – Columbia in 2007 and attended the French joint war college.

At sea, Captain Steiner has served in USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) as Communications Officer; USS Defender (MCM 2) and USS Momsen (DDG 92) as Chief Engineer; the staff of Commander, Amphibious Squadron Seven as Materiel Officer (N4); the staff of Commander, Destroyer Squadron One as Materiel / C4I Officer (N4/6) and Plans Officer (N5); USS Antietam (CG 54) as Executive Officer; and most recently on the staff of Commander, U.S. Seventh Fleet as the Director for Training, Readiness and Exercises.  During these sea tours, he participated in eight deployments, two RIMPACs and Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

He has served ashore at the University of Missouri NROTC Unit as an instructor of Naval Science, in the staff of Director, Navy Staff as a plans and scheduling officer, and most recently in the staff of Commander, Military Sealift Command as a program manager. 

In command, he led U.S. Aegis Ashore Missile Defense System – Romania, charged with protecting NATO Europe from ballistic missile attack.

Captain Steiner was promoted to his current rank in September 2021.