Sergeant Major Robert W. McLain, a native of Boyd, Texas, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in June of 2003 where he attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California. During that time Private McLain was meritoriously promoted to Private First Class. Following graduation, he attended to the School of Infantry, Marine Combat Training in Camp Pendleton, Ca. He received orders to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina to attend the Basic Engineer School.
After completed the Basic Engineer School in December 2003 as a Combat Engineer. Private First Class McLain received orders to 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, Camp Pendleton, California. While serving with Charlie Company, 3rd Platoon, he was deployed to OIF II from February-September 2004 in support of 3rd Battalion 7th Marines, while serving in Iraq he was promoted to Lance Corporal May 2004.
In May 2005, Lance Corporal McLain reported to Marine Corps Embassy Security Group, Quantico, Virginia. Upon completion of Marine Security Guard School, he served as a watch standard at United States Embassy in Kampala, Uganda, Madrid, Spain, and Cairo, Egypt where he was promoted to the rank of Corporal in July 2005, and Sergeant in July 2006.
In August 2008, Sergeant McLain reported to 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, Camp Pendleton, California where he was assigned to Charlie Company, 1st Platoon, as a Squad Leader, he then deployed to OIF 9.1/9.2 from January-August 2009 in direct support of 2nd Battalion 1st Marines. Upon returning, he was transferred to Bravo Company, 1st Platoon where he also held the billet of Squad Leader and deployed to Afghanistan in direct support of 3rd Battalion 6th Marines during Operation Moshtarak, OEF 10.1 from January-August 2010. In December 2010, he was promoted to Staff Sergeant, while serving as Platoon Guide for Bravo Company 1st Platoon.
In August 2011, Staff Sergeant McLain reported to Weapons Training Battalion, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, where he served as the Engineer Section Chief at the Methods of Entry School. In January 2015, he reported to Marine Barracks Washington, District of Columbia, where he was assigned as the S-3 Training Chief where he was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant in November of 2015.
In April 2016, Gunnery Sergeant McLain reported to Marine Wing Support Detachment 31, Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, SC where he served as the Support Company Combat Engineer Section SNCOIC. He then deployed to Belize in direct support of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Southern Command 16. Upon his return, he was reassigned to the billet of Company Gunnery Sergeant for Support Company. In February 2018, he reported to Marine Aircraft Group 31, Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, SC where he served as the Senior Enlisted Advisor with Personnel Support Detachment, Headquarters Squadron. In August 2019, he reported to 8th Engineer Support Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, NC. where he was assigned to Headquarter & Service Company, as the Company Gunnery Sergeant where he was promoted to First Sergeant in February of 2020.
In February 2020, First Sergeant McLain reported to 3d Marine Raider Support Battalion, Intelligence Company where he served as the Company First Sergeant. In July 2021, he reported to 3d Marine Raider Battalion, Marine Raider Special Operations Company November, where he served as the as the Company First Sergeant and deployed to Somalia in direct support of Special Operations Task Force-East Africa during Operation Octave Quartz. In October 2023, he reported to Marine Raider Training Center, Headquarters & Service Company where he served as the Company First Sergeant where he was promoted to Sergeant Major February 2024.
In April 2024, Sergeant Major McLain reported to Security Battalion, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia where he serves as the Battalion Command Senior Enlisted Leader.
Sergeant Major McLain's personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3rd award), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3rd award), Combat Action Ribbon (2nd award).