The Truth About David Eigenberg's Military Career

David Eigenberg is best known for portraying firefighter Lieutenant Christopher Herrmann on NBC's "Chicago Fire" and Steve Brady on HBO's "Sex and the City." While very different, the characters of both Herrmann and the hubby to Cynthia Nixon's Miranda Hobbes have been onscreen bartenders and part-owners of bars on their respective shows, per Entertainment Weekly. "I think it is a coincidence, but there's something about my personality about that bartending thing," Eigenberg told EW, adding the irony that he's been sober for 34 years and that "I was never really a bar guy."

Reprising his role in the "Sex and the City" reboot "And Just Like That..." (which began its run in December), Eigenberg was theorized by some "Chicago Fire" fans in October to be leaving one show for the other. After all, September's Season 10 Episode 2 of the latter involved a Herrmann subplot that had him abandoning protocol, thereby endangering his future at Firehouse 51, per TV Fanatic. Luckily, Eigenberg insisted he plans on juggling both. "My soul is here in Chicago with 'Chicago Fire,'" he told Us Weekly.

Eigenberg's steadfastness and work ethic is hardly a surprise given his occupation prior to show biz. We bet not many knew that Steve from "Sex and the City" was, once upon a time, a military man. Well, at least his real-life counterpart was.

After joining the United States Marine Corps Reserve in 1982, per ScreenRant, David Eigenberg served for three years, leaving after achieving the rank of Lance Corporal. In a 2019 USO tour visit to Naval Station Great Lakes in Illinois, Eigenberg was given the honor of speaking at the USO of Illinois Star-Spangled Gala and meeting the current roster of his old MAG48 unit. "It's a gift and a privilege to be invited to work with the USO, because our service members are outstanding, special Americans," Eigenberg said in appreciation. "I think it's a great opportunity to see one of the things that's best about this country." At the Gala, he praised the USO for offering a sense of community for new recruits, like he was once.

According to the USO website, Eigenberg also visited the local Naval Station Great Lakes Fire Department on his trip to show his appreciation. Eigenberg emphasized that he and the rest of the "Chicago Fire" cast and crew place importance in working with real firefighters to create a respectfully realistic portrayal of those who serve. As he put it, it is so that "they understand that you understand service."

October 2019 wasn't David Eigenberg's first USO tour by any means, per the military organization's website. Having witnessed the September 11 attacks up close, Eigenberg joined a USO tour a mere few months later. As proof that giving blessings only brings more your way, the ex-Marine also met his wife of 17 years, Chrysti Eigenberg, who was serving in the troops at the time. Per Amomama, a lesson he learned as a Marine is one he applies to both his marriage and his firefighter character on "Chicago Fire": "It's not about you. It's about the unit, the mission, and you stick to it no matter what."

In addition to love, Eigenberg even found his first steps toward sobriety through his time in the military. Per TheDay, Eigenberg shared, "It wasn't until I got in the Marine Corps that I learned how to shut that mouth. "I'd had a roommate that wasn't around and had gotten sober. He was a dear friend of mine, and I knew something in his world worked." It is that supportive bond amongst brothers and sisters that keeps Eigenberg coming back for more USO tours. "[It's] an opportunity to spend time with people who go above and beyond, who understand sacrifice in service," he said. "They are people who are committed to making our country a better place, making our country a safer place, making sure this country works."