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.