I was born and raised in Kingsport, Tennessee. Growing up, I was active in Church, participated in Vacation Bible School, Church & School plays, Royal Rangers, Boy Scouts, and school programs such as Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Course (NJROTC), Vocational Industrial Clubs of America (VICA) (now SkillsUSA), 4H, and Drama. I also enjoyed family get-togethers, playing backyard sports, with my dogs, swimming, riding bikes, hanging out at the mall, cruising on weekends with friends and I refereed Optimist Club youth basketball. I also participated in organized and school league baseball, basketball, and football, lettering in multiple sports in middle and high school, and playing in two baseball leagues most years.

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On April 27th, 1996, while a senior at Sullivan North High School, I enlisted in the U.S. Army, officially becoming a Service Member on October 2nd, 1996. Early on I was recognized for my leadership and advanced through the ranks, spending 17 years, 2 months, and 11 days as a Noncommissioned Officer, and 11 years and 11 months as a Senior Noncommissioned Officer, holding numerous leadership positions, a Secret and subsequently a Top Secret/Secure Compartmented Information Clearance w/ Presidential level Yankee White access, retiring on October 31st, 2016 after 20 years and 29 days of faithful and honorable service.

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I served around the world including 6 ½ years at the White House Military Office, where I traveled under a Diplomatic passport outside the United States. I also served in Iraq on a Military Transition Team advising the Iraqi Army and Police Forces, in Afghanistan as a Platoon Sergeant with the 82nd Airborne Division, and as a Liaison to the Combined Joint Task Force-East during the 2012 “military surge.” Amongst my military and civilian awards and decorations are a Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, Presidential Service Badge, Letters of Appreciation from multiple Presidents, an appointment as a Kentucky Colonel, and more. 

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In my post-military life, I've been active with Veterans Service Organizations, and have served as an officer at the post, district, division, and state levels, and on boards, commissions, & committees at all levels including serving as a delegate to numerous state & national conventions. Presently, I'm the Commander of the American Legion Department of Tennessee, member and past President & Vice President of the Battle of Blountville Civil War Military Park Association (2021-Present). I began sponsoring a scholarship at West Ridge High School in 2021, volunteered with the 917 Society (2021-23), Indian Springs Optimist Club (2022), and University of Tennessee Hospice (2024-2025). Since November 2021, I’ve facilitated a Veterans Oral History Project, hosted a Veterans Coffee Roundtable (2023-25), and in May 2025, I published a book about ​Veterans' suicide, titled “Those Left Behind: Veteran Suicide and My Late Best Friend, Brad Bush.”​

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I've also been politically active, and have done some public & corporate speaking. In 2017 & 2025, I volunteered with President Trump's Presidential Inaugural Committee. During the first Trump Administration, I served as a White House Staff Associate as an Advance Representative, where I traveled under an Official passport when traveling outside the country, and in 2020 I served as a Staff Lead for President Trump’s re-election campaign. In 2017, I served as a Tennessee delegate to the Young Republican National Convention. I ran for Congress in TN-01 in 2018, receiving more than 3x the number of votes the “experts” predicted. I served as a Member at Large on the Sullivan County Republican Party Executive Committee (2023-25). In 2017 I began doing some political commentary, appearing on NEWSMAX, radio, SiriusXM, numerous podcast, streaming shows and I hosted a the Todd McKinley Commentary (2020-2024), and published articles, (2019-2023), and as of May 12th, 2021, I've co-hosted a weekly radio show called the Common Sense Conservatives. Since September 1st, 2024, I represent District 5 on the Sullivan County School Board.​​

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My civilian and military education includes a Bachelor of Arts in Homeland Security, a Master of Science Leadership: Global Leadership from Duquesne University, Certificates in Executive Leadership from Cornell University, and Leaders of Learning from Harvard University. I'm also a member of a couple of National Honor Societies, alumni associations, and other organizations. ​​