Makely served in the U.S. Army from 1965 to 1967.  He took Basic Training at Fort Dix, New Jersey. Upon graduation from basic, he was assigned to the Artillery School at Fort Sill Oklahoma.  He received his MOS training as a Canon Crew member, MOS 13B, 105MM Howitzer, towed.

Upon completion of Artillery School, Makely was assigned to the 1^st Cavalry Division, Tan Son Nhut Air Base in Vietnam. There he was assigned to "A” Battery, 1^st BN, 30^th Artillery MACV, in Qui Nhon. This unit, which supported elements of the 1^st Cav, consisted of the first 155MM’s to be air lifted into a combat landing zone.

During his tour in Nam, Makely’s unit provided combat support from the Central Highlands (An Kai) to the central Lowlands (Phu Cat), to elements of the 1^st Cav, the 5^th Special Forces, the South Vietnam "Tiger Division”, the 25^th and 4^thDivisions.

In December of 1966, Makely was reassigned to "C” Battery, 3^rdBN, 3^rd ARTY (105 Self-Propelled) at Fort Knox, KY.  He was discharged from the Army in December 1967.