Steve Loeffler grew up in Pennsylvania and was commissioned after graduation from Penn State University. His Navy duty included destroyers operating off the coast of Vietnam and in the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans, and Aide and Flag Lieutenant to Commander Cruiser-Destroyer Force Pacific in San Diego, CA. After returning to the Navy from Wall Street and graduation from the Naval War College, he served in USS GRAY, USS COOK, and as Chief Staff Officer in Destroyer Squadron 31.