MajGen Malavet received a commission after graduating from Pennsylvania State University in August 1985. A Naval Aviator, he has commanded and deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan at the squadron and Marine Aircraft Group levels. He has commanded 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade and served as the Deputy Commanding General of I Marine Expeditionary Force. As a CH-53D and later as a CH-53E pilot, he served as Weapons and Tactics Instructor, Flightline Officer, Quality Assurance Officer, Assistant Maintenance Officer, and Aircraft Maintenance Officer. 

He also served in several staff assignments with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable); Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One; United States Joint Forces Command, J5 Directorate; Joint Staff J-5, Central Asia/South Asia Division; Joint Capabilities Assessment and Integration Directorate; as well as Principal Director and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia for the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Policy at Washington D.C.     

MajGen Malavet is a graduate with distinction of the College of Naval Command and Staff at the Naval War College and also the Johns Hopkins University – The Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies where he attended as a Commandant of the Marine Corps Fellow. 

 MajGen Malavet assumed his current duties as Commanding General, Marine Corps Installations Pacific in June 2015.

His personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with one Gold Star, Air Medal with one Strike/Flight award, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with one Gold Star, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two Gold Stars, and Humanitarian Service Medal.