United States Navy Master Chief Petty Officer Joel Steinbach was born in Silver Spring, Maryland and raised in Mount Rainier, Maryland. He was very active as a child, playing basketball and spending time outside as much as possible.
Steinbach enlisted in the United States Navy on April 23rd, 1991 with the intention to support his family, make rank, and serve our country. He began his career on the USS Kearsarge LHD-3. He then served on the USS Iwo Jima LHD-7 before serving aboard the USS Bainbridge DDG-96, and USS Harpers Ferry LSD-49 and Naval Special Warfare Assessment Command (NSWAC). Steinbach finished his career with AFRICOM.
After spending years serving in Africa, Steinbach contracted a disease that placed him in a coma, resulting in 100% nerve loss in his legs, and leaving him extremely vulnerable to septic shock. The road to recovery was extremely daunting and painful for Steinbach. He had to relearn how to walk and attend intense physical and occupational therapy sessions for quite some time.
Steinbach currently resides in Middleburg, Florida with his wife. He enjoys reading and spending time with his friends and family, especially Diana, Nicole, Nik, Cadence, Oliver, Stephanie, Edin, and Joey.
Having overcome so many obstacles and demonstrating incredible resilience, Steinbach shares, “People will love on you and help if you let them. Just because someone throws up a wall or roadblock, doesn’t mean you should quit.”
