Melton, usually referred to as Mel, served in the United States Navy from 1961 until 1966. He started in the Electricians Mate School and served in Mine Division 33, Sasebo, Japan, aboard the USS Epping Forrest, an LSD-4 that became MCS-7, serving in Viet Nam at Cam Ramh Bay and Da Nang. He left Viet Nam in July 1965 returning to the United States where he served aboard MSO 427 Constant to West Pack in 1966.

Upon his return to the United States in November of 1966, Mel became an independent Chief Lighting Technician for the movie industry and has a wide variety of experience in movies, commercials and feature presentations. Mel is currently in the same profession.