Not much is known about the operative's background, but he would join the United States Army Rangers and was once an ally to Simon "Ghost" Riley, a Special Air Services lieutenant. Mace marked with his body with traditional scars to honor his heritage, and eventually left the army to become a mercenary for hire. He would then join the Jackals, a private military company under the leadership of Viktor "Zane" Metiko after going into the slums of South Africa.