Boone enlisted in the Army in May of 1972. He graduated from Scarritt College, where he received a bachelor’s degree in behavioral science and later earned a Master of Divinity from Vanderbilt Divinity School and a Master of Education from Vanderbilt University. He also holds an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Seoul Christian University, Seoul, Korea.

He served as an Army Infantry Officer and helicopter pilot, with combat experience in Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. He was also the Command Chaplain, United Nations Command, U.S. Forces Korea, and 8th U.S. Army, and later served as Commandant at the U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School.