[2][1] Sukatno began his military career in Surabaya after the outbreak of the Indonesian Revolution by joining the Pesindo militia.

[3][3] After the Dutch-Indonesian Round Table Conference, Sukatno joined the People's Youth (PR) and was elected as the second secretary of the organization's Central Executive Board (DPP) at the end of 1950.

As a member of WFDY, he conducted working visits to various countries, such as India, Myanmar, and Japan, to enhance cooperation in strengthening world peace.

[1] After Sukarno issued the decree in 1959 dissolving the 1955-elected DPR, Sukatno remained a member of the Mutual Assistance House of Representatives until 1965.

In 1962, he ordered the mobilization of a quarter million People Youth members to undergo military training in support of Operation Trikora.

[6] While serving as a member of the DPR, he criticized the draft Emergency Law since it still contained colonial elements, as well as the defense budget, which was focused solely on maintenance rather than on building the armed forces and acquiring new weaponry and equipment.

[2] After the 30 September Movement, Sukatno chose to move to southern Blitar and joined the remaining members of the PKI.

This news prompted protests from the Dutch Youth Organization, which staged demonstrations during the visit of the Indonesian Minister of Manpower to the Netherlands in 1971.