The People Behind the Sessions

David Jones served twenty years in the United States Marine Corps, retiring as a Gunnery Sergeant. His experience includes communications, recruiting, and deployments to Iraq. He holds an MBA and founded Steele Sharpens Steele, bringing his experience in military leadership and civilian transition into a continuing mission of service. He is the author of Steele Sharpens Steele: A Doctrine of Identity, Brotherhood, and Purpose After the Uniform.

Through free, peer-led Sharpening Sessions, David creates space for honest conversations about leadership, accountability, relationships, and purpose. His approach emphasizes clear expectations, practical action, and the brotherhood and sisterhood that help people stay connected and continue contributing after the uniform.

Erik P. Bradley served twenty years in the United States Navy as a Chief Machinery Repairman, maintaining shipboard machinery, leading shore maintenance teams, and helping young people find direction through Navy recruiting. He later moved into executive leadership on civilian plant floors. His experience spans the demands of military service, the transition into civilian leadership, and the work of balancing responsibility, family life, and a renewed sense of purpose.

At Steele Sharpens Steele, Erik brings a practical perspective to peer-led conversations about identity, relationships, leadership, and what comes next. Drawing from the deckplates and the shop floor, he encourages candid discussion without pressure, helping participants reflect on their experiences and identify useful steps forward.

Virginia Smith served twenty years in the United States Navy, retiring in 2008 as a Chief Boatswain's Mate. Her career included assignments in Hawaii, aboard USS Mount Hood and USS John C. Stennis, and in recruiting, maintenance, and naval construction units. Following her Navy retirement, she continued her commitment to public service through work with the Department of Justice, carrying her experience in leadership, responsibility, and teamwork into civilian life.

At Steele Sharpens Steele, Virginia brings that perspective to Women's Sharpening Sessions. Her role centers on peer-led conversations about identity, accountability, relationships, and purpose after military service, creating space for women veterans to share experiences, strengthen connections, and consider practical steps for what comes next.

Tremayne "Tre'" Tuck served twenty-six years in the United States Navy, retiring in 2017 as a Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman. Seventeen of those years were spent serving alongside U.S. Marines as a Fleet Marine Force Corpsman, including a deployment to Iraq. His experience includes medical enlisted leadership and service as a Navy Equal Opportunity Advisor. An ordained pastor and retired high school teacher, he brings a background in military service, ministry, education, and helping others navigate change.

At Steele Sharpens Steele, Tre' is helping develop Anchored Forward, a series of peer-led Sharpening Sessions exploring faith, meaning, and purpose after service. These conversations focus on how personal beliefs, values, and sources of meaning inform identity, relationships, accountability, and everyday life. Veterans of any faith or no religious affiliation are welcome, with room for honest questions, respectful listening, and practical action—without preaching or pressure to adopt particular beliefs.