Colonel Stephan was commissioned in 2000 after graduating from The Citadel. He subsequently designated as an infantry officer.

His operational assignments include serving as a platoon commander, company executive officer, and company commander with 3d Battalion, 2d Marines; company commander and battalion operations officer with 1st Battalion, 8th Marines; and commanding officer of 2d Battalion, 2d Marines; plans officer for 2d Marine Logistics Group; future operations officer for 2d Marine Division; and AC/S G5 and AC/S G-3 for III MEF. He made multiple deployments to USCENTCOM, USEUCOM, and USINDOPACOM in the course of these duties.

Colonel Stephan’s supporting establishment assignments include serving as the officer in charge of the Mountain Leaders Course and Unit Operations Course at the Marine Corps’ Mountain Warfare Training Center and as the commanding officer of Recruiting Station Louisville. He reported to 6th Marine Corps District in June 2024 to serve as the commanding officer.

Colonel Stephan is a graduate of the Marine Corps’ Expeditionary Warfare School, Command and Staff College, and School of Advanced Warfighting. He also attended the Joint Forces Staff College and the Naval War College. He earned a Bachelor’s in History from The Citadel, Master’s in Military Studies and Operational Studies from Marine Corps University, and a Master’s in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College.