Fuqua advanced through the ranks in the early 1900s, including postings to Madison Barracks, New York, Camps Overton and Parang in the Philippines, and Fort Clark, Texas.

He graduated from the Infantry and Cavalry School in 1907 and the United States Army Command and General Staff College in 1908, then served as an inspector and advisor with the California National Guard.

He served with the 12th Infantry Regiment at the Presidio of San Francisco and at Fort Huachuca, Arizona during the Pancho Villa Expedition.

After taking part in the Post-war occupation of Germany, Fuqua returned to the United States in September 1919 and served again as chief of staff of the 1st Division.

After World War I, Fuqua's assignments included assistant chief of staff for Intelligence (G-2) for Third Corps Area at Fort Howard, Maryland, then for the Hawaiian Department.

In addition, at the start of World War II, Fuqua provided frequent on air analysis for radio news programs.

[5] In July 1898, Fuqua's application for an army commission was approved and he was appointed a captain of Infantry in the United States Volunteers.

[1][5] Fuqua was dedicated to athletics and sports, and maintained a lifetime interest in tennis, golf, and horseback riding.

[2] While he was known to be outgoing and congenial, Fuqua was also known to have a passion for regular order and adherence to procedure, which earned him the nickname "System Steve".

[1][5] He served at Madison Barracks, New York from 1905 to 1906, then attended the Infantry and Cavalry School at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, which he completed in 1907 as a Distinguished Graduate.

[1][5] He graduated from the United States Army Command and General Staff College in 1908, then served again with the 23rd Infantry in the Philippines, this time at Camps Overton and Parang.

[1][5] Fuqua served at Fort Clark, Texas from 1910 to 1911, then was posted to San Francisco as inspector and instructor for the California National Guard.

In charge of the troop movement subsection of G-3, 1st Army, from its organization until he became Chief of Staff, 1st Division, Colonel Fuqua was responsible for and supervised the movements incident to the concentration of troops for the St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne offensives of the 1st Army, which involved many thousands of men and was accomplished with the greatest success.

[15]After post-war occupation duty in Koblenz, Fuqua returned to the United States in September 1919 and served as chief of staff of the 1st Division, first at Camp Zachary Taylor, Kentucky, then at Fort Dix, New Jersey.

[1] Fuqua served as assistant chief of staff for Intelligence (G-2) for Third Corps Area at Fort Howard, Maryland from 1921, then was assigned as G-2 of the Hawaiian Department.

[21] When his term as Chief of Infantry expired in May 1933, he reverted to his permanent rank of colonel and was assigned as U.S. military attaché in Spain.

[22] Other U.S. military leaders, including Adna R. Chaffee Jr. used the lessons of the war in Spain to develop better and bigger tanks with large main guns, as well as separate tactics and doctrine for employing them in large formations, which proved vital to Allied success in World War II.

[5] After retiring, Fuqua remained in Spain as a civilian to assist his successor as the start of World War II drew closer.