König suffered from severe social anxiety throughout his life, often being bullied during his childhood. At the age of 17, he volunteered for the military. While he hoped to join as a recon sniper, his physical size and his inability to stay still made him an unsuitable candidate. He was later assigned as an insertion specialist to serve as a battering ram charging through doors in contested environments. During a mission, König took down an Al-Qatala cell in Berlin.