Parents were Caldari diplomats that were stationed in Gallente space. Joseph "Tug" Meiler chose to return to Gallente space after completing his training to become a capsuleer.

Tug is one of three children, a sister and another brother. His sister has followed in their parents' footsteps and joined the diplomatic corps, while his brother chose to become a capsuleer in the Caldari region.

Tug's nickname embarrassingly was chosen for him when he fell asleep during a combat training exercise during his capsule training and the instructor told him that if he's going to "sleep at the stick, perhaps he should consider becoming a space tug pilot instead." The nickname stuck, and Tug eventually graduated from the training program.