Ralph R. “Rick” Steinke on Vital Mission and the Art of Military Thrillers
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Saturday, August 16, 2025
Award-winning author Ralph R. “Rick” Steinke has built a loyal following with his gripping Jake Fortina series—known for its razor-sharp realism, believable dialogue, and pulse-pounding plots. With three acclaimed novels already out and his fourth, Vital Mission, set to launch this August, Steinke is redefining the military thriller genre for today’s world.
In this conversation, Rick takes us inside his creative process—how he balances authenticity with drama, crafts morally complex characters, and brings global flashpoints to life with startling realism. We also explore why military thrillers matter now more than ever, and how fiction can illuminate truths in an age of uncertainty. If you’re a fan of high-stakes storytelling, unforgettable characters, and thrillers that keep you up at night, this episode is a must-listen.
👉 Learn more about Rick and his work at ricksteinke.com
Ralph r. “Rick” Steinke is the author of the Jake Fortna novel series, including Jake Fortina and the Roman Conspiracy, Grand Prize Winner, Global Thriller category, Chanticleer International Book Awards (2023), and Major Jake Fortina and the Tier One Threat, a semi-finalist in the 2022 Global Thriller category for the Chanticleer International Book Awards. His third book in the series, Change of Mission, also won several awards. Vital Mission releases this August.
In 2019, he also published Next Mission: US Defense Attaché to France, a memoir (currently out of print, to be republished in 2025 or 2026).
Since Steinke's commissioning from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Steinke has served a lifetime of US national security roles, including 28 years in the US Army and 14 in the Department of Defense. Official duties have taken him to over thirty countries in Europe and Asia, including Afghanistan and Ukraine.
Personal awards and military badges bestowed upon him include:
- US Legion of Merit
- Office of the Secretary of Defense Award for Exceptional Civilian Service
- French National Order of Merit (Commander)
- US State Department Meritorious Service Award (Afghanistan)
- US Army Ranger Tab and Parachutist Badge; Italian Army Parachutist Badge; and other awards and badges.
He holds Master’s degrees in West European studies and diplomacy from Indiana and Norwich Universities, respectively, as well as post-graduation certificates in national and international security affairs from Harvard and Stanford universities.
His passions include faith, family, fly fishing, and travel.
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