CAPTAIN Dan’l Steward, USN (retired) was born and raised in Eureka, CA. Matriculating to the US Naval Academy, he graduated in 1974 with a degree in mechanical engineering. After 2+ years as a Surface Warfare Officer homeported on a destroyer out of San Diego and deploying to WESTPAC, he received orders to BUD/S. Graduating with Class ’95 in 1978, he reported to SEAL Team ONE. He was to serve three times at this command — as platoon commander, Executive Officer, and in 1990, Commanding Officer. Other assignments included SEAL Team TWO; Exchange Officer to the Special Boat Squadron, UK; on the Staff of the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff; and independent duty. Retiring in 1994, CAPT Steward spent 10 years in the private sector before returning to Naval Special Warfare where he spent the next 17 years supporting special activities, strategic concepts, and innovation. Dan’l holds a Master’s Degree from the Naval War College, has been published several times in Naval Proceedings, has been married for 41+ years to his wife, Amy, and has a grown daughter.        

CAPT (ret) Todd Perry is from Escondido, CA, and enlisted in the Navy in April 1982; graduated with BUD/S Class 123 in July 1983 and retired in May 2022 after a 40-year career. He rose through the ranks from Seaman to Senior Chief before being commissioned an Ensign in 1997… and then rising to the rank of Captain. Career highlights include tours with SEAL Team ONE, SEAL Team Three (plank owner), SEAL Team Eight, Naval Special Warfare Unit TWO, and 18 years at a Special Mission Unit. Perry’s command tours include NSW Advanced Training Command, Combined Joint Special Operation Task Force – Iraq (CJSOTF-I 19-2, and NSW Leadership Education and Development (NLEAD). He now serves as Executive Director of the Navy SEAL Museum San Diego (scheduled to open in early 2025). 

The eighth child in a family of twelve, Todd’s college sweetheart, Jackie, has been along for the full ride. Todd and Jackie were married a week before Todd started BUD/S training in 1982 and is the longest-serving spouse in NSW’s 80-year history! Jackie raised their three children during Todd’s 21 deployments to Asia, Europe, Africa, and Central America – and countless training trips. To cope with the demands of Todd’s job, Jackie did two things: prayed for Todd throughout his training and missions and prayed for herself to remain calm and get through the days he was deployed. Jackie stays busy as a pharmacy technician and remains focused on her children and five grandchildren.