Steve Ward is a retired Navy SEAL Master Chief, combat leader, and currently a leadership instructor at Echelon Front.
In nearly three decades in the SEAL Teams, Steve has led at every level. He started as a front-line SEAL operator and worked his way up to numerous leadership positions, including becoming a head leader running a SEAL Team and of all four West Coast SEAL Teams. He served as Command Master Chief of multiple SEAL and Joint Special Operations Teams while deployed to Iraq. From a 20-person platoon to an organization of 2,000, Steve understands what is required to bring a team together and work through challenges, while maintaining high standards.
Steve deployed six times into combat, operating in some of the most violent, unpredictable environments in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was one of the head leaders of the Task Unit that relieved Jocko Willink’s Task Unit Bruiser in Ramadi in October 2006. When he returned from that deployment, he worked for Jocko running Land Warfare Training for all four West Coast SEAL Teams. There, he managed high risk evolutions and consistently innovated training techniques to increase effectiveness and preparation. He was the recipient of three Bronze Stars, two Defense Meritorious Service Medals, and four Meritorious Service Medals, and numerous other awards.
Steve now serves as a leadership instructor, speaker, and strategic advisor at Echelon Front. His comprehensive leadership perspective is leveraged to help organizations lead in dynamic environments, build winning teams, and develop relationships across all levels of an organization.