Machowicz joined the United States Navy in 1985 and graduated from Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training (BUD/S) class 136 in February 1986.

According to his biography on the Discovery Channel's Web site,[3] "he participated in numerous tactical operations with SEAL Team ONE and TWO.

He served as a personal protection specialist for many high-profile individuals within the political arena, business world and entertainment industry.

[citation needed] Though a Catholic, Machowicz was also a practitioner of Zen Buddhism[4] and an ordained Buddhist priest.

His funeral Mass was celebrated on January 6, 2017, at St. Helen Catholic Church, Pearland, Texas.