Veteran Spotlight: Major Steven Green

Major Steven Green has a 20-year military career. A Purdue University alum, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1980 immediately after graduating and earning his bachelor’s degree.

“From there, my first duty assignment was as a combat support platoon leader for 7th Combat Support Military Police (MP) Company, 7^th Infantry Division at Fort Ord, California,” said Green. “My family and I packed up, left Indiana, and headed west after I completed my degree at Purdue University.”

While at Purdue, Green’s wife offered her full support for him as he pursued an education. High school sweethearts, the two were married with children as Green entered his first year at Purdue.

“My wife and I have two children,” Green said. “My wife has sacrificed a lot for me. She worked to help get me through college and was also a full-time mother to our children at the same time.”

When Green launched into his military career, this support remained unwavering.

“My wife always worked but was rarely promoted because we were always moving with the military,” said Green. “She basically gave up her career so I could have mine. I’ll be forever grateful for that.”

Green is also grateful for the sacrifices his children made. They moved around the world, in and out of school, leaving behind friends and routines when Green was called to his next military duty station.

Life with the military led the family to live overseas in countries like Korea and Germany. Stateside, the family has lived on various military bases in Alabama, California, South Carolina and Illinois.

Toward the end of his Army career, Green worked as part of the ROTC program at several colleges throughout Illinois and Northwest Indiana, including Chicago State University, Governors State University, Purdue University Northwest, and Indiana University Northwest as a Proffer of Military Science training future Army Officers. Green said “This assignment led me to my second career 

After retiring from the Army, his public service and service to the military continued as he worked for 20 years at Chicago Public Schools, Department of JROTC. His positions included JROTC instructor teaching leadership and citizenship at Harlan and Lakeview High Schools, Operations Officer for the Department of JROTC and finally as the Deputy Director of the Department of JROTC the position he held when he retired from the Chicago Public Schools.

After wearing the Uniform of the US Army for 40 years, today he is enjoying his retirement, his children, and his two grandchildren. He is a lifetime member of the American Legion, the Disabled American Veterans, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Green and his wife are very proud of their children. Both of Green’s children became nurses, but they did follow in the footsteps of their father in terms of public-facing service.

“Neither joined the military,” Green said. “However, as nurses, they are both serving the local community. I just served in a different way.”

The military has very much formed Green’s life.

“The military showed me leadership, self-discipline, and the ability to plan,” said Green. “It basically made me who I am today.”

Ultimately, however, it’s his family that has formed his life because without their support, he would not have been able to do what he did in college or in the military. Their support was a cornerstone to his education and careers.

“Without the support of my family along the way allowing me to do what I did in the military and have this career, I would not be who I am today,” said Green.

After years of traveling between states and moving amongst countries, the Green family all reside in Northwest Indiana. While Green’s military career has come to an end, the appreciation for his family and their commitment to making it all happen never will.