Colonel McClam was born in Raleigh, North Carolina and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant following his graduation from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke in 1997 with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. Colonel McClam completed a Masters of Arts in Management and Leadership from Webster University in June 2010.
Colonel McClam’s assignments include Operating Force tours in the 1st and 2nd Marine Divisions. He has commanded infantry units at every level from platoon to battalion and also served as Assistant Operations Officer and Operations Officer within Infantry units. As a platoon commander in 1/7, he participated in two Unit Deployment Programs to Okinawa, Japan. As a Captain and Major he completed three combat deployments with 3/8. The first was to Ramadi, Iraq. Subsequently, he deployed as the Helicopter-borne Company Commander with Battalion Landing Team 3/8, 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard the USS Kearsarge. His last deployment was to Helmand Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM with 3/8 (REINFORCED), Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Afghanistan. Colonel McClam was the Commanding Officer of 3/8 for eight months in 2015. He also served as the Acting Commanding Officer of 8th Marine Regiment Remain-Behind Element. Subsequently, he commanded 1/8 for 21 months and deployed as East Coast Unit Deployment Program battalion, to Okinawa, Japan.
Colonel McClam has served tours outside the Operating Forces to include Tactics Instructor, Staff Platoon Commander and Infantry Officer Course Instructor at The Basic School, Military Aide to the President, White House and MAGTF Planner (0505) for Marine Forces Central Command. He was the Ground Combat Arms Lieutenant Colonel Assignments Monitor. Most recently, he served as the Branch Head, Manpower Management Enlisted Assignments.
Colonel McClam’s professsional military education includes attendance at the Infantry Officers Course, Advanced Mortar Leader Course, Army Airborne Course, Infantry Captain’s Career Course, Expeditionary Warfare Planning Course, the Army Command and General Staff College, Red Team Leader’s Course and the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies where he earned a Master of Philosophy in Strategy. He is also a distinguished graduate of Marine Corps War College.
Colonel McClam’s decorations include: Defense Superior Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star, Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal and Combat Action Ribbon with gold star. The Parachutist Badge and the Presidential Service Badge. CY21 USMC Recipient of the Black Engineer of the Year Award.