Milano enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1979 and retired in as a Master Sergeant in 2000.  His duty stations include Fort Bragg, NC.  Fort Clayton, Panama, Soto Cano AB, Honduras, NTC Orlando, Florida, and Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

Steve first joined the VFW in 1998, based on Operation Just Cause in Panama, while he was on active duty and is a proud Legacy Life Member of Post 10859 in Bakersfield, CA. Milano is past All American Post Commander (2010), past All American Post Quartermaster (2013), All American Department Quartermaster (2016), and All State /All American District Commander 2026.

Milano has served in a variety of Department level positions, including Department Adjutant, Department Quartermaster, Department Programs Chairman, and Department Training Committee Chairman, and District Commander.  He is currently the Department Surgeon, Chairman of the Voice of Democracy Program, Chairman of the Department Patriots Pen Program, and a Department Deputy Inspector

Milano is on the Board of Directors for the Golden State Guardians Foundation and the VetFund Foundation. He is a Life Member of the National Home, the Military Order of the Cootie, and the DAV.  He is also a member of the American Legion and the Non-Commissioned Officers Association. 

Throughout the years, Milano has been awarded many military awards and decorations, including Meritorious Service Medal (5 awards), Army Commendation Medal (4 awards), Army Achievement Medal (2 awards), Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Army Superior Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal (6 awards), National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (2 awards) and Army Parachutist Badge, among others.

Milano currently resides in Elk Grove, CA with his wife Deborah. He has two daughters Suzanne and Mary, and one grandson, Bowie.