Steve is a retired Navy SEAL with 24 years of active duty service. Immediately upon graduating from high school, he enlisted in the Navy and went to Basic Underwater Demolition School BUD/S. Stephen was assigned to SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team TWO where he specialized as an SDV Pilot, small arms marksmanship instructor, and scout/sniper. In 1999 Stephen successfully screened and went to Naval Special Warfare Development Group. During his 11 years at the command, Senior Chief Sanders successfully completed 10 combat deployments to both OIF (Iraq) and OEF (Afghanistan). During his combat tours as an assault team sniper and team leader he was awarded the Silver Star and five Bronze Star medals for heroic actions while engaged in National level HVT combat missions, among other medals and awards.

Before retiring, he started his own consulting business, (TIER ONE GlobalConsulting LLC) specializing in soldiering skills, combat shooting, austere high altitude jump training, and lead climbing rock courses to government agencies. In 2012 he was the Lead Military technical advisor for Man Of Steel, and in 2013 he worked on Batman vs Superman. He directed and did stunt coordination on several commercials for private companies. Today, Stephen is one of two owner-operators at VI Shooters Inc.