Lieutenant Zack McLain was born in Mesa, AZ. He attended The Ohio State University in Columbus, OH and graduated in 2017 with a B.S. in Welding Engineering. He was accepted into the Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate (NUPOC) program in 2015 and commissioned from Officer Candidate School in March 2018 as a Surface Warfare Officer (Nuclear). He served his first tour onboard USS SAN JACINTO (CG 56) as a Electronic Warfare Officer running a division of 15 CTTs, CTRs and CTMs. Onboard SAN JACINTO, LT McLain was part of the training cycle and a 7-month deployment to Fifth Fleet, earning his Surface Warfare Officer qualification. 

In 2021, LT McLain transferred to Charleston, SC to begin his nuclear propulsion training at NNPTC for 6 months and NPTU Charleston for another 6 months. Following nuclear power training, in 2021, LT McLain transferred to USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76). Onboard REAGAN, LT McLain served as Reactor Mechanical Division Officer for One Plant and qualified Propulsion Plant Watch Officer. Following completion of Prospective Nuclear Engineering Officer (PNEO) course, LT McLain was required to fill the Principal Assistant role of Main Propulsion Assistant and led approximately 120 Sailors and 4 Junior Officers in Reactor Propulsion division.

In June 2024, LT McLain reported to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and currently serves as the 1/C Advisor and instructor for Naval Operations and Navigation. He is joined by his wife Summer and daughter Vivian. 

CIVILIAN EDUCATION

DATES            DEGREE                                                            NAME OF SCHOOL

2013-2017       Bachelors of Science Welding Engineering            Ohio State University

MILITARY SCHOOLS/COURSES ATTENDED

DATES            SCHOOLS/COURSES

2018                Officer Candidate School, Newport, RI

2018                Basic Division Officer Course, Norfolk, VA

2018                Electronic Key Management School, Norfolk, VA 

2021-2022       NNPTC/NPTU, Charleston, SC

2024                Prospective Nuclear Engineering Officer Course, Norfolk, VA

2024                Navigation, Seamanship, and Shiphandling Instructor Course, Newport, RI

2024                Teaching in Higher Education

CHRONOLOGICAL RECORD OF MILITARY SERVICE

 

DATES                             UNITS                                                        BILLETS HELD

Jan 2018 – Mar 2018         Officer Candidate School                             Officer Candidate

Mar 2018 – Feb 2021         USS SAN JACINTO (CG 56)                       Division Officer

Mar 2021 – Sep 2021         NNPTC Charleston                                      Student

Sep 2021 - Feb 2022          NPTU Charleston                                        Student

Feb 2022 – Feb 2024         USS RONALD REAGAN                            Division Officer

Feb 2024 – May 2024       PNEO course                                               Student

May 2024 – Jun 2024       USS RONALD REAGAN                            Division Officer, 

Principle Assistant (MPA)

Jun 2024 – Present             NROTCU RPI                                              Instructor/Advisor

FAMILY INFO

Name               Relationship                Notes if Required

Summer               Wife                        

Vivian                   Daughter                 8 month old (Born Oct 2023) 

PROFESSIONAL STATUS/GOALS

Seeking an MBA with intentions of separating from the Navy following this tour and moving back to Cincinnati, OH or surrounding areas and settling down.