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 known as 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, and an appointment as a Kentucky Colonel. 

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In my post-military life, I've been active with Veterans Service Organizations, serve/ed as an officer at the local, district, division, and state levels, and on boards, commissions, & committees at the local, state and national levels and have served as a delegate to numerous conventions. Presently, I'm the Commander of the American Legion Department of Tennessee, board member National American Legion College Alumni Association, member and past President & Vice President of the Battle of Blountville Civil War Military Park Association (2021-Present). Since 2021 I've sponsored a scholarship at West Ridge High School and began volunteering with the 917 Society (2021-23), Indian Springs Optimist Club in 2022, and University of Tennessee Hospice (2024-2025). Since November 2021, I’ve facilitated a Veterans Oral History Project, and in September 2023, I began hosting a Veterans Coffee Roundtable 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'm also active in local, state, and national politics, and have advised, assisted, and donated to candidates and conservative organizations. In 2017 & 2025, I volunteered with President Trump's Presidential Inaugural Committee, and 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. 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. I also 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 more. I also hosted a podcast called the Todd McKinley Commentary (2020-2024), and published articles, (2019-2023). Since May 12th, 2021, I've co-hosted a weekly radio show called the Common Sense Conservatives, and as of 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. ​​