Steve spent over three years with the Marines, joining at seventeen, becoming a corporal and having some interesting assignments. Most notably serving alongside  Nationalist Chinese forces defending against Communist Chinese Forces near mainland China during the Taiwan Straits Crisis of 1958 and 1959. He was subsequently awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.

After military service Steve spent much of his working career employed by or supporting defense activities, retiring as a career federal senior executive. Following federal service, he founded a successful engineering and atmospheric science company assisting federal and international agencies with complex science issues.

Comrade Short is a Life Member of the VFW.