Captain Mason was commissioned an Ensign in September 1976. He entered flight training and was designated a Naval Aviator in July 1977.

He completed replacement training in the S-3A Viking aircraft at VS-41 in San Diego, California and reported to the "Scouts" of VS-24, based ashore at Naval Air Station Cecil Field in Jacksonville, Florida. There, he served as Mine Warfare, Conventional and Nuclear Weapons Training Officer participating in Mediterranean and North Atlantic deployments aboard USS NIMITZ (CVN 68).

In August 1981, he reported to the Air Anti-Submarine Support Unit at Cecil Field. He served as VS Wing Weapons Training Officer developing improved mining procedures and weapons load-outs for the S-3A aircraft.

Captain Mason reported to Destroyer Squadron 14 in August 1984, based ashore at Naval Station Mayport, Florida. He served as Air Operations Officer and Intelligence officer for two Mediterranean deployments, and Baltic and Black Sea operations. A highlight of this tour was a month spent aboard USS IOWA (BB-62) which served for a time as DESRON 14's flagship.

In August 1986, Captain Mason received orders to the Naval Strike Warfare Center at Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada. There he developed tactics for the employment of air-delivered mines against overland and sea targets. During his tour at the Strike Warfare Center, he flew the A-7E Corsair II and S-3A Viking aircraft delivering a wide variety of ordnance.

Returning to Cecil Field, he rejoined the "Scouts" and transitioned to the S-3B. While assigned to VS-24, he served as Safety and Operations Officer participating in a Mediterranean deployment aboard USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71).

In October 1990, Captain Mason reported to VS Wing One where he served as Readiness officer and Chief Staff Officer.

In November 1991, he reported to the "Maulers" of VS-32 as Executive Officer deploying to the Mediterranean and the Persian Gulf aboard the USS AMERICA (CV-66). He assumed command of the squadron in May 1993. Under his command, the Maulers deployed to the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean aboard USS AMERICA. The squadron won the 1993 COMNAVAIRLANT Battle "E" award in part, for their innovative use of the S-3B to conduct overland surveillance in Bosnia and in Somalia.

Captain Mason reported to Chief of Naval Operations, Space - Information Warfare - Command and Control Directorate in Washington D.C. in September 1994 where he developed policy and managed funding for Naval Information Warfare.

He graduated from the National War College in June 1998 and was subsequently assigned as a Special Assistant to the Commander in Chief, United States Joint Forces Command in Norfolk, Virginia. In June 2002 he graduated from the Air Force Air War College and was assigned to the staff of the Commander U.S. Fleet Forces Command as Deputy Director, Warfighting Requirements and Readiness Directorate.

Captain Mason retired from the Navy in April 2005 and lives in Victoria, British Columbia.

His awards include the Legion of Merit, Joint Meritorious Service Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, four Navy Commendation Medals, the Navy Achievement Medal, and various service related awards.