Allen "Max" Woodside enlisted in the U.S. Army at seventeen in 1982, serving in Mechanized Infantry at Fort Carson, Colorado, before deploying to Northern Germany during the Cold War. From 1986 to 1989, he served with the 2nd Ranger Battalion at Fort Lewis, Washington.

In December 1990, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, where he was selected for and passed 1st Force Reconnaissance INDOC. From 1990 through 2004, he served in multiple reconnaissance assignments, including as a Plank Holder with 5th Force Reconnaissance in Okinawa and in the experimental VSW/MCM unit under direct U.S. Navy command, alongside USMC Recon, U.S. Navy SEAL, and U.S. Navy EOD personnel. He retired from 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion as a Staff Sergeant (SSgt).

Following his military service, Woodside worked as a private military contractor with Blackwater, DynCorp, and Triple Canopy, and supported operations in an OGA capacity with Xe.

He lives in the Pacific Northwest with his wife of over thirty years. His younger son, SSgt Tristan Woodside, USMC, is deceased. His older son serves as a Sergeant in the United States Army, 11B Infantry Team Leader, and is presently deployed.

Drawing from decades of military and operational experience, Woodside writes stories grounded in faith, brotherhood, and the true cost of war.