Steeler hails from a family with white-collar upper-class background. His parents paid his way through college, and used their influence to pull some strings to get him a cushy commission in the US Army. Once there, he specialized in operating many armored fighting vehicles including many NATO and Warsaw Pact AFVs. Though he is recognized as a tough and dedicated soldier and an officer, he does have a tendency kiss the ass of his superiors. Steeler is one of the weaker G.I. Joe members, letting his tanks do the killing while he remains safely inside, or better yet, behind the lines sending others to their doom.