Malachi Joe served seven years in the U.S. Army, from March 1968 to March 1975, rising to the rank of Staff Sergeant. He spent two of those years in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. His first tour was with the 1st Air Cavalry Division, and he returned to Vietnam a year and a half later, assigned to MACV (Military Assistance Command, Vietnam).

After leaving the Army, Malachi joined an international electronic security organization, where he advanced to the position of Regional Service Manager. He then spent twenty-six honorable years with an organization that tests products and systems for public safety worldwide, retiring as an Engineering Associate Lead. Following his retirement, he began a new career as a writer.