Lieutenant Colonel Steven B. Dodson was born in Saint Louis, Missouri. In November 1994, he enlisted into the Marine Corps as an Engineer Equipment Operator. Over the next 12 years, he served in the enlisted ranks ultimately obtaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. In 2005, he was selected for the Meritorious Commissioning Program. Later that same year, he completed Officer's Candidate Course - 190. Upon graduation of Officer's Candidate School, he reported to the Naval Reserve Officer’s Training Corps, University of Missouri. In August 2006, he received his bachelor’s degree from Columbia College - Columbia, Missouri and subsequently was commissioned a Second Lieutenant.
In November 2006, Second Lieutenant Dodson reported to Company A, The Basic School Quantico, Virginia. In June 2007, upon completion of The Basic School, he received orders to the Marine Corps Engineer School Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Upon graduation, Second Lieutenant Dodson received the military occupation specialty of 1302, Combat Engineer Officer. In October 2008, Second Lieutenant Dodson reported for duty to the 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group Okinawa, Japan.
Upon his arrival, Second Lieutenant Dodson was assigned to Engineer Company A and served as Combat Engineer Platoon Commander. In November 2008, he deployed with a platoon of engineers in support of a Theater Security Cooperation Exercise, Bangladesh Interoperability Program - 08. Upon his return, he was transferred to Engineer Support Company, where he served as the Company Executive Officer. In May 2008, Second Lieutenant Dodson deployed in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM 8.2 where he was promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant.
Upon his return from Operation IRAQI FREEDOM 8.2, First Lieutenant Dodson assumed the duties and responsibilities as Company Commander, Bulk Fuel Company. In September 2009, Bulk Fuel Company deployed to the Republic of Korea and participated in the Korean Interoperability Training Program - 09. In March 2010, First Lieutenant Dodson was transferred to Engineer Support Company to serve as the Company Commander where he was selected to prepare and lead 313 Marines and Sailors in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM 10.1.
In May 2010, he deployed in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM 10.1 as the Company Commander of Engineer Support Company. First Lieutenant Dodson was promoted to the rank of Captain during the deployment. Upon his return to Okinawa, Captain Dodson volunteered to support Forest Light 10-1, an Interoperability Training Exercise with the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force. Upon his return, Captain Dodson was assigned to the S-4 serving as the Battalion Logistics Officer.
In July 2011, Captain Dodson completed his tour with the 9th Engineer Support Battalion and executed orders to the Expeditionary Warfare School. Upon graduation, Captain Dodson received orders to serve as the Inspector-Instructor, Engineer Company A, 4th Combat Engineer Battalion Charleston, West Virginia. During his assignment, Captain Dodson attended Marshall University and received a master’s degree.
In August 2015, Captain Dodson was assigned as the Marine Liaison Officer for the Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center, Detachment Point Loma. Captain Dodson fulfilled duties as the Lead Korea Plans Officer providing action officer support for Republic of Korea based exercises. During this tour he was promoted to Major and completed the Command and Staff Blended Seminar Program.
In July 2017, Major Dodson was assigned to the Marine Wing Support Squadron 372. He served as the Squadron Operations Officer and the Officer in Charge for Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Native Fury 2018. From June 2018 to April 2019, he served as the Officer in Charge of the 292-man Marine Wing Support Detachment 372 Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Crisis Response Central Command in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE.
In July 2019, Major Dodson was transferred to the Marine Corps Installations Command – Pacific and assumed the role as the Deputy Operations Officer for Facilities Maintenance Branch, Marine Corps Base, Camp Smedley D. Butler. In July 2020, Major Dodson was assigned to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing to serve as the Wing Engineer Officer.
In July 2021, Major Dodson was transferred from the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing to Weapons and Field Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, to serve as the Executive Officer. In September 2022, Lieutenant Colonel Dodson was promoted to his current rank.
His personal decorations include Meritorious Service Medal (with two gold stars), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (with two gold stars), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (with one gold star), the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (with two bronze stars), numerous campaign, and service medals.
Lieutenant Colonel Dodson is married to the former Mariko Yamazato of Okinawa, Japan. They live in Oceanside, California and have two children: Alexis 25, and Dylan 19.