His background brings a special focus on scientific and political realism to his novels, which are heavily footnoted.
He served in the United States Army from 1976 to 1981, being assigned as a National Security Agency intelligence analyst.
He ran in 1980 for the United States Congress as the Republican nominee against Al Gore, but left politics for a more stable family life.
His religious awakening started in the 1970s with the Jesus freak movement, and he writes in hopes of attracting non-Christian readers.
He has written numerous newspaper and magazine articles, including Military Avionics in 1985 and Strategic Defense the following year.