Rear Admiral McClain is a 1975 graduate of Putnam City High School in Oklahoma City and a 1979 graduate from the University of Oklahoma receiving a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and his commission through the Oklahoma University Naval Reserve Officer Training Program. Assigned to the staff of the Oklahoma NROTC Unit while awaiting flight school, he instructed the freshman class until 1980. He received his Navy Wings of Gold from VT-22 in Kingsville, TX in August 1981.

Rear Adm. McClain’s command tours include the Stingers of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 113, the Rough Raiders of VFA-125, and commanded the Navy’s only Forward Deployed Air Wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 homeported in Atsugi, Japan. He has flown in support of Operations Desert Storm, Desert Strike and Southern Watch.

Significant shore assignments include Attack Squadron (VA) 128 as an instructor pilot and head of Carrier Qualifications (1985-1987), The US Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, (1987-1990), was the Chief of Policy for the Joint Chiefs of Staff J-5 Directorate (2001-2003) and was assigned to the staff of Commander, US Pacific Fleet where he was the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Plans and Policy (N3/5/7) (2003-2005). Rear Adm. McClain was also the Director of Operations (J-3) for Joint Task Force 519 (JTF-519), which is responsible for contingency operations in the Pacific.

In 1993, Rear Adm. McClain attended the United States Naval War College earning a Masters of Science degree in National Security and Strategic Studies and was awarded the President’s Honor Graduate award.

Rear Adm. McClain has logged over 6,000 hours in jet aircraft including 2,000 hours in the A-6E Intruder and more than 4,000 hours in F/A-18 Hornet aircraft. He has more than 1,400 carrier-arrested landings on 12 different aircraft carriers including over 500 night-arrested landings. Rear Adm. McClain is a former U.S. Navy Blue Angel pilot who flew as number 7, 3 and 4.

His personal awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit Medal (three awards), Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal (2), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2) and various unit and campaign awards. He has also received honors as the Tailhooker of the Year (1984), Landing Signals Officer of the Year (1985) and Instructor Pilot of the Year (1986).