Meet the Staff at Shadowcast Farm

Major McGrath is a native of Goshen, Ohio and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in December of 1994. Upon completion of MCRD Parris Island, SC he was meritoriously promoted to Private First Class as the Platoon Honor Graduate and then completed the School of Infantry, Camp Geiger, NC where he earned the MOS 0311. Assigned to his first duty station in MCAGCC 29 Palms, CA in 1995, he deployed to Okinawa with 1st Battalion 7th Marines (1/7) "Suicide Charlie" Company and was meritoriously promoted to Corporal. He was then selected to serve as Land Navigation Instructor, Northern Training Area. Cpl McGrath also participated in the USMC Super Squad Competition as a Squad Leader for 1st Marine Division and participated in Exercise Cobra Gold, Thailand. During the course of the deployment, Corporal McGrath was screened and selected to 1/7 Scout Sniper Platoon. Upon his return from UDP, he completed the Scout Sniper Course Camp Pendleton, CA and then participated in Joint Task Force-6, assisting the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) initiatives along the California border. After his 1st Marine Division meritorious promotion to Sergeant, he attended numerous schools to include: Basic and Advanced Forward Observers Course, Sergeants Course, Combat Life Saver Course, Pre-Dive/Dive Medicine, Assault Climbers Course, Swift Water Rescue, and Close Combat Instructors Course. Sgt McGrath attended the 5-week RECON Indoctrination Package (RIP) at Camp Pendleton, CA and was screened and selected to attend the Basic Reconnaissance Course (MOS 0321). Upon completion of BRC, Sgt McGrath transitioned to 1st RECON and then 7th Marine Regimental RECON Detachment. Sgt McGrath deployed in direct support of Joint Guardian Macedonia, Kosovo, as a RECON/Surveillance Team Leader providing key information to shape the decisions of the Ground Force Commander.

After a PCS to Camp Lejeune, NC, Sgt McGrath assumed the duties of Chief Scout 2nd Battalion 6th Marines (2/6) Surveillance and Target Acquisition (STA) Platoon. He was then hand selected to serve as a Platoon Commander for "Fighting Fox" Company and deployed to the Mediterranean with the Battalion Landing Team, 24th MEU(SOC) onboard the USS Wasp. Sgt McGrath led a small select Scout Sniper Training Team that interfaced with the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) in Haifa, Israel and focused on cross-training of precision fire weapons engagement and Long-Range Reconnaissance Patrols (LRRP). Upon return, and after his promotion to Staff Sergeant, he was selected for the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program (MECEP).  SSgt McGrath completed the MECEP Preparatory Course, MCRD San Diego, CA and attended the Citadel with a focus in Health Exercise Sports Science.  SSgt McGrath helped developed an extensive “Pre-Bulldog” program to help prepare cadets for OCS, and was a distinguished graduate at Officers Candidate School, finishing in the top 3. SSgt McGrath played lacrosse at The Citadel and graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor in Science and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in December 2004. 

Assigned to Company B, The Basic School, Quantico, VA, 2ndLt McGrath finished among the top 10 graduates and, as his first choice, received assignment as an 0402 Logistics Officer. After attending the Logistics Officer Course (LOC), 2ndLt McGrath was selected to graduate early and assigned as an Individual Augment (IA) to Combat Logistics Regiment-25 (FWD) in direct support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). He immediately deployed to Al Taqaddum, Iraq as the Arrival/Departure Air Control Group OIC and Recovery Convoy Commander. 2ndLt McGrath developed a Standard Operating Procedure for conducting Tactical Ground Movements and helped implement revised Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures to increase survivability and efficiency of tactical convoys. 2ndLt McGrath executed over 100 Tactical Convoys throughout the AOR. He also supervised the throughput of over 900 flights per month through the Joint Aerial Control Operations Terminal (JACOT) Al Taqaddum, Iraq.

Shortly after returning from OIF, he was assigned as the 2nd Military Police Bn S-4 Officer and tasked with aiding the planning, coordination, and execution of the 2nd Marine Logistics Group (2d MLG) restructuring initiative. After disbanding 2D MP BN, 2ndLt McGrath was assigned as the Combat Logistics Regiment 27 Regimental S-4 Officer. After promotion to First Lieutenant, he attended the Basic Airborne Course in Ft Benning, GA and then Aerial Delivery Material Officer Course (ADMOC) in Ft Lee, VA where he earned the MOS 0405. 1stLt McGrath was then assigned as the 2d Aerial Delivery OIC. Hand selected to attend the first Multi-Mission Parachute System (MMPS) Freefall Course, Coolidge Testing Facility, AZ, 1stLt McGrath aided in the development and implementation of the new ground-breaking parachute system and offered direct guidance to the manufacturer, Complete Parachute Systems, for timely fielding and repair part sustainment. He has logged over 300 individual freefall jumps.

1stLt McGrath was then assigned as Company Commander, Landing Support (LS) Company, CLR-27 and facilitated the revision of detailed company mission sets in lieu of HQMC personnel and equipment changes. LS Company was recognized by HQMC for Logistics Excellence and, despite his rank, 1stLt McGrath was afforded the unique opportunity to attend Joint Career Level PME at Combined Logistics Captain’s Career Course (CLC3), Ft Lee, VA. While in Ft Lee, he completed the Modern Army Combative Instructor Course and, upon graduation, was recognized by his peers as the Outstanding Leadership Example. 1stLt McGrath was then assigned to 2d Marine Special Operation Bn (2D MSOB), Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC) Camp Lejeune, NC. He planned, coordinated and supervised the completion of the Tier-1 Tactical Combat Casualty Care certification which provided invaluable live tissue training to 2D MSOB Marines. He also developed a comprehensive agenda with the renowned training venue, Gryphon Group Security, that is still utilized as pre-deployment preparation for SOF Tactical Ground Movements. Captain McGrath was chosen to attend the Joint Logistics Course, Ft Lee, VA as the MARSOC logistics representative.

Promoted to Captain on 01 February 2009, he immediately deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) as a SOCOM Joint Individual Augment to the Special Operations Command (FWD) Pakistan (SOC FWD PAK) and assumed the duties as the SOF J-4, Islamabad, Pakistan. Responsible for all Special Operations Forces (SOF) logistical support structure within Pakistan, Capt McGrath established a methodology grounded in distributed operations to ensure the continued flow and sustainment of all US SOF teams operating in Pakistan. He directly interfaced with the Pakistan Department of Interior, Minister of Defense, Pakistani Customs Officials, and Pakistan Military Liaison to establish supply chain management systems for the Frontier Corps and various Pakistani military attaches. 

Upon his return, Capt McGrath was selected as a key member of Special Operations Task Force 82 (SOTF 82) and deployed to Herat, Afghanistan as part of the largest MARSOC faction to ever deploy in support of OEF. Responsible for logistical sustainment of all SOF in Regional Command West and Southwest, Capt McGrath supervised the establishment and sustainment of over 13 individual Village Stability Platforms (VSP) in remote areas throughout the country. He served as Ground Force Commander for over 220 tactical convoys including the initial clearance of the HWY 611 corridor in Helmand Province. Capt McGrath identified and prosecuted over 120 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and served as Lead Logistics Advisor to the Combined-Joint Special Operations Task Force (CJ-SOTF) J4. He was instrumental in the developmental testing of the MK44 mini-gun on the SOF variant M-ATV platform and helped establish efficient supply chain management procedures to facilitate support of distributed operations. Due to his unique perspective, Capt McGrath was tasked to brief the Commandant of the Marine Corps on the current state of SOF Logistics in Afghanistan. In lieu of that brief, LOGCOM interface with MARSOC was ignited and resulted in the expedited fielding of numerous Primary End Items that facilitated mission success.  During this period, Captain McGrath was awarded the Combat Action Ribbon and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with ‘V’ for actions under fire. 

Captain McGrath attended the Marine Corps Logistics Education Program (MCLEP) at Penn State University and then was assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron 274 (MWSS-274) in May of 2011 where he assumed the duties as Squadron S-4 Officer. He was chosen to serve as Commander, Logistics Combat Element (LCE), Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force (SPMAGTF), Southern Partnership Station 2012 AMPHIB (SPS-12). Capt McGrath interfaced with 2nd MAW, II MEF, US Customs, MARFORSOUTH, NAVSOUTH, MilGp, Host Nation Military (COL/HND/GTM), and numerous civilian contractors to ensure mission success. He facilitated the short-fused coordination required for a seamless embarkation of the entire SPMAGTF onto the USS Oak Hill. Additionally, serving as the Logistics Distribution Cell (LDC) Authorization Officer, Capt McGrath facilitated the distributed sustainment of all SPMAGTF forces while deployed to Colombia, Honduras, and Guatemala. Capt McGrath independently planned, coordinated, and supervised the wash-down, inspections, and total debarkation of the SPMAGTF without incident. In July 2012 Captain McGrath was selected by the CG SOUTHCOM as the OIC for Det Martillo-12, Task Force Martillo where he managed the short-fused deployment of 200 personnel and over 180 short tons of equipment to Guatemala in support of Counter Drug Counter Narco-Terrorism (CDCNT) efforts. Capt McGrath implemented a sustainment pipeline that utilized non-traditional venues to support the dynamic distributed operations of the Det. His efforts to maintain the $2 million-dollar budget resulted in over $700k in overall savings. Directly responsible for Engineers, Embark, Motor Transport, Field Mess, ARFF, Fuels, Maintenance Management, Comptroller, Disburser, Contracting, and Supply, Captain McGrath used his SOUTHCOM AOR experience to foster solid Host Nation relationships, facilitate the completion of numerous construction projects, and support the Det Martillo-12 CDCNT initiatives. In lieu of the unique expeditionary environment he encountered, COMMARFORSOUTH directly tasked Captain McGrath to provide input that would help facilitate the understanding of logistical support networks in the SOUTHCOM AOR for future Task Force Martillo operations. 

Captain McGrath then served as Company Commander, Motor Transport Company, MWSS-274 and planned, coordinated, and executed numerous Field Exercises that focused on combat Tactical Ground Movement and Recovery operations. Captain McGrath’s was selected as the MWSS-274 S-3 Operations Officer and prepared the squadron for the deployment to OEF 14-1. Capt McGrath implemented MWSS-274 in direct support of Exercise Carolina Thunder 2013 (2D MAW) and Ex Log War Games VII (DCI&L) and coordinated the pre-deployment certification during ITX 1-14. The continued evaluation of the MWSS in its capacity to provide Aviation Ground Support during ITX has been modeled by Captain McGrath’s evaluation protocol in conjunction with WTI and AGSD guidelines. This full-spectrum evaluation fosters a diverse capability set that facilitates the success of the MAGTF. Captain McGrath was selected to serve as Marine Officer Instructor (MOI), NROTC the Citadel and assumed this billet in June 2014. He was promoted to Major on 01 June 2015 and, during his time at the Citadel, served as Adjunct Professor of Naval Science and taught Evolution of Warfare, Marine Corps Amphibious Doctrine, and Leadership and Ethics. Major McGrath completed his Master’s Degree and graduated Command & Staff College, MCB Quantico, VA in May of 2018 and is was then hand-selected by Major General Mullen and assigned to to serve in TECOM G-3/5/7, Capabilities and Programs Division.  In lieu of injuries sustained during combat operations in Afghanistan, Major McGrath was directed to a Naval Medical Review Board and, subsequently, retired from active duty in February of 2021.

Major McGrath’s awards include: 

Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with “V” Combat Distinguishing Device for Valor x 3, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal x 2, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation x 2, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal x 3, National Defense Service Medal x 3, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon x 5, and the NATO Medal- ISAF Afghanistan. 

*An exhibit displaying Major McGrath and his team can be viewed in the National Museum of the Marine Corps OEF gallery that captures an IED strike and combat actions that occured on 10 October 2010 in Helmund Province, Afghanistan.