Mr. McKinley is a Former U.S. Navy SEAL with over 15 years of combined Naval Special Operations Command (NAVSOC) and Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), Department of State (DoS) field experience as a SEAL and as a Government Contractor.

Early in his career, Chris was assigned to SEAL Team 8 for five years before being attached to the Assault Cell of SEAL Team 18 (Det. 309) of the Naval Special Warfare Group Two (NSWG2).

Chris’ qualifications include the following disciplines; Sniper, Advanced Urban Combat, Unarmed Improvised Combat Course, Breacher (Explosive & Manual entry) Advanced Applied Explosives (AAE), High Threat Driving, Accelerated Freefall, Photo, Intelligence, Digital Intelligence, Close Quarters Combat (Battle), Direct Action, Tactical Combat Casualty Care and Protective Security Details. He was formally trained as an 18Delta (US Army Special Forces Medical Sergeant).

After a severe injury, Chris left the US Navy and earned a Masters Degree in

Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Nebraska Medical Center where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with concentrations in Orthopedic Surgery/Sports Medicine and Emergency Medicine. He then went to work with Blackwater USA on U.S. Department of State contracts as a section leader in their WPPS Mobile Dignitary Protection Program. Additionally, he operated within Blackwater’s elite ‘SELECT’ Activities Division as an Assault Team Leader/Clandestine Paramilitary Operator (Other Govt. Agency/OGA). For a period of 18 months, Chris was also Blackwater’s Director of Medical Operations & the Clandestine Activities Cell Planner for the DoD, DoS and Joint Special Operations Aviation Detachment (JSOAD) command structures in Africa, Afghanistan/Pakistan. Chris’ collective field experiences as both a military and para- military operator include service in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq (OEF/OIF), Bosnia/ Kosovo, African theaters of operation.