Colonel Thomas Raymond McCarthy Jr. was born in Johannesburg, South Africa and was raised primarily in Australia and Minnesota. He received his commission in May 1988 following graduation from the United States Naval Academy, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in General Engineering.
Second Lieutenant McCarthy graduated from The Basic School in December 1988 and was designated a Naval Aviator in August 1990. Assigned to HMT-204, First Lieutenant McCarthy completed CH-46E training in February 1991. He then joined HMM-162 where he served as the Ground Safety Officer, S-2 Officer, Pilot Training Officer, Flight Officer, Weapons and Tactics Instructor, Operations Officer, and Tactics and Plans Officer, completing three LF6F deployments to the Mediterranean Sea and participating in operations PROVIDE PROMISE/DENY FLIGHT in the Adriatic Sea, RESTORE HOPE/UNOSOM II in Somalia, and ASSURED RESPONSE/QUICK RESPONSE in Liberia and Central African Republic.
In July 1996, Captain McCarthy attended the Amphibious Warfare School and graduated with honors in May 1997. Upon graduation, he was assigned to the Chemical Biological Incident Response Force (CBIRF), where he served as the Operations Officer and supported the Papal Visit to St. Louis, MO, NATO’s 50th Anniversary Celebration, and two Presidential State of the Union Addresses.
In July 1999, Major McCarthy joined HMM-263 where he served as the Assistant Tactics and Plans Officer and deployed with 24 MEU(SOC), participating in Exercise DYNAMIC RESPONSE 2000 in support of KFOR operations in Kosovo. Upon his return from deployment in August 2000, he served as the Operations Officer and Executive Officer of the squadron until May 2001, when he was selected to be the Aide-de-Camp for the Commanding General, II Marine Expeditionary Force (II MEF).
After thirteen months as the Aide-de-Camp, Major McCarthy attended the U.S. Marine Corps Command and Staff College and graduated with honors and a Master of Military Studies degree in Jun 2003. Upon graduation, he became a member of the MAGTF Staff Training Program (MSTP) and served as an Exercise Control Officer and the Exercise Design Branch Head until May 2005.
In July 2005, Lieutenant Colonel McCarthy deployed to Iraq and assumed the duties as the MAG-26 Executive Officer. He participated in Operation IRAQI FREEDOM 04-06 and redeployed with MAG-26 in February 2006. He continued on as the MAG-26 Executive Officer until May 2006 when he turned over his responsibilities and traveled west to assume command of MAG-46, Detachment B at Edwards AFB, CA. After a successful two year command tour, he attended the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, PA and earned a Master of Strategic Studies degree upon graduation in June 2009. He was then assigned as the Future Operations Deputy Division Chief at USPACOM and promoted to his present rank. After the first year, he was reassigned as the Director, Transnational Threats Strategic Focus Group. In June 2011, Colonel McCarthy was transferred to II MEF and worked in the G-3 as 2d MEB G-3, deployed with II MEF (Forward) as the Current Operations Officer for Operation ENDURING FREEDOM 13.2, and upon his return was assigned as the II MEF AC/S G-7 Training until July 2014. He is currently serving as the Chief of Staff for Marine Corps Installations East.
His personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal with three gold stars in lieu of fourth award, the Air Medal with Combat ‘V’ and Strike/Flight Numeral ‘5’, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with one gold star in lieu of second award, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.