Sergeant Major McKinley is a native of Gary, Indiana. He enlisted and went to boot camp October 14, 2003 at MCRD San Diego, California. Upon graduating boot camp on January 6, 2004, he then reported to Marine Combat Training. Upon completing MCT he received orders and reported to Camp Johnson, NC for Military Occupational School where he trained to be a 3521 Automotive Organizational Maintenance Technician.
Following completion of MOS school, he received and executed orders to 2d Maintenance Battalion, Motor Transportation Maintenance Company, Camp Lejeune, NC. While at 2d Maintenance Battalion, he participated in the Fleet Assistance Program (FAP) on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune Provost Marshall’s Office for assignment as a Military Police Officer for a duration of 1 year. Upon termination of FAP orders, he returned to 2d Maintenance Battalion where he was then attached to Combat Logistics Battalion 2 (CLB-2) and deployed to Camp Al-Asad, Iraq in August of 2005.
In February 2006, he returned to Motor Transportation Maintenance Company where he then served in Headquarters Platoon as the Company’s Maintenance Management Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge. From there, in July of 2007 he then executed orders to Hotel Battery 3rd Battalion 14th Marines 4th Marine Division in Richmond, VA and was assigned as the Motor Transportation Chief for the Inspector-Instructor Staff.
Sergeant Major McKinley transferred from Hotel Battery 3/14 in July 2010 to Combat Logistics Regiment 27, Landing Support Company, Camp Lejeune, NC. In October 2010 he deployed with Marine Corps Training and Advisory Group (MCTAG) to the Republic of Georgia in assistance of the 33rd Battalion Georgian Army. December 2010, he returned to Landing Support Company, Motor Transport Platoon where he then served as the platoon sergeant for Motor Transportation Platoon.
In January 2012 he was transferred to Combat Logistics Battalion 26, where he trained and deployed with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit as the Maritime Raid Force NCOIC in November 2013 and deployed to the Central Command Area of Operation in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
In April 2014 he returned to 2d Maintenance Battalion as the Motor Transport Maintenance Chief for 2nd Platoon Motor Transport Maintenance Company. Shortly thereafter, in October 2014 he executed orders to Okinawa, Japan and assigned to Motor Transport Company, Marine Wing Support Squadron-172 as the Motor Transportation Maintenance Chief and Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge for Motor Transport Maintenance Platoon.
In November 2017, he executed orders to Headquarters and Service Company, 3d Battalion 25th Marines in Brook Park, Ohio where he served as the Battalion Logistics Chief and Motor Transportation Chief until August 2020 when he was transferred to 2d Landing Support Battalion, where he served as the Company First Sergeant for Landing Support Equipment Company. From July 2021 to May 2022, he was assigned as the 2d MLG Equal Opportunity Advisor. He was then promoted assigned to Company C, 2d Radio Bn in May 2022 as the Company First Sergeant then later executed orders to Security Battalion Marine Corps Base Quantico, Headquarters Company.
In October 2025 Sergeant Major McKinley assumed his current position as the Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, MCAS Futenma Command Senior Enlisted Leader.
Sergeant Major McKinley graduated Suma Cum Laude from American Public University System with a Master of Business Administration and also holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Criminal Justice from University of Maryland Global Campus.
Sergeant Major McKinley’s personal awards include Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal Gold Star in lieu of six award, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal Gold Star in lieu of second award, and Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.