Mark Edwin Steffener – U.S. Navy SEAL, Blog of Shame

militaryphonies

7 years ago

BACKGROUND

Mark Edwin Steffener comes to us from Seminole, Florida. Steffener is 57 years old as of May 2019.

Steffener was in the Navy for almost 9 years and then went in the Navy Reserve. It was while he was in the Navy Reserve that he was called to active duty and sent to Iraq with his Seabee unit. In a span of just a few days in late April – early May 2004, seven men from Steffner’s unit were Killed in Action.

Mark Steffener was wounded around this same time period and was awarded a Purple Heart on June 2, 2004.

*Source: The Navy Reserve (TNR) – April 2012, pg 20*

The Seabees of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FOURTEEN held a ceremony honoring the seven men that were killed. At this ceremony, Steffener spoke and was designated a SEAL. From the article:

The ceremony included the playing of the national anthem followed by an invocation by LCDR Lulrick Balzora, Chaplain of NMCB 14; Commanding Officer, CDR John Prien; Command Master Chief (SCW), Kevin Trost; Chief Construction Mechanic (SCW) Benjamin Slaughter; Construction Mechanic 1st Class (SEAL) Mark Steffner all spoke of their fallen comrades. The 21 gun salute, taps and the final good byes finalized the memorial commemorating the lives of FOURTEEN’s fallen brothers.
SOURCE: https://www.public.navy.mil/seabee/nmcb14/Pages/history.aspx?fbclid=IwAR1CWGz29QNgEcwAG7oXdWKJa3176yOr1fSfSvvSAoE1LzSabzsNBInUb1U

An official U.S. Navy photo captured Steffener as he rendered a salute to the Battlefield Cross.

040515-N-2219H-071 Iraq (May 15, 2004) – U.S. Navy Seabee, Construction Mechanic 1st Class Mark Steffner pays his final respects with a salute to his seven fallen shipmates at a memorial ceremony in Iraq. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion One Four (NMCB-14) lost seven members of its battalion in two separate encounters with Anti-Coalition Forces in Iraq within a 72-hour period. NMCB-14 is a Naval Reserve Seabee Battalion headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla. U.S. Navy photo by Ens. Tony Hollobaugh (RELEASED)

SOURCE: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:US_Navy_040515-N-2219H-071_U.S._Navy_Seabee,_Construction_Mechanic_1st_Class_Mark_Steffner_pays_his_final_respects_with_a_salute_to_his_seven_fallen_shipmates_at_a_memorial_ceremony_in_Iraq.jpg

In the official U.S. Navy photo caption, they spelled his name incorrectly – it should be ‘STEFFENER’ vs. ‘STEFFNER’ [sic]. You can see the correct spelling on the nametag, along with the U.S. Navy SEAL Trident on the opposite side of his chest.

Steffener eventually left the U.S. Navy Reserve and went into the Army National Guard.

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ACTIONS CONDUCTED BY MILITARY PHONIES

After contacting the UDT/SEAL archives, the Naval Special Warfare Center and checking the UDT/SEAL database we found that there is NO record of “Mark Edwin Steffener” ever completing BUD/S Training.

Mark Steffener’s military records were ordered through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.

*FOIA Result – Mark Edwin Steffener – DD-214 (2004-NR Recall to Active Duty)*

*FOIA Result – Mark Edwin Steffener – DD-214 (Active Duty 1986-1990)*

*FOIA Result – Mark Edwin Steffener – DD-214 (Active Duty 1981-1986)*

*FOIA Result – Mark Edwin Steffener – Assignments (2003-2005)*

*FOIA Result – Mark Edwin Steffener – Assignments (1990)*

*FOIA Result – Mark Edwin Steffener – Assignments (1986-1990)*

*FOIA Result – Mark Edwin Steffener – Assignments (1981-1986)*

CRIMINAL

https://www.rapsheets.org/florida/clearwater-jail/STEFFENER_MARK/1663003

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DISCUSSION and SUMMARY

SUMMARY SHEET & ASSIGNMENTS

Mark Steffener had an impressive career.

He was assigned to SEAL Team Six in a support role, but he never went to BUD/S and never earned the SEAL Trident.

It is quite remarkable how no admin clerk ever caught that and questioned his Trident. We wonder how long that he wore it?

STOLEN VALOR

If the SEAL claims by Mark Steffener was used to leverage work, promotions, or anything else of value, Steffener may be in violation of Stolen Valor laws. State laws may also apply.

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