MAJ McTavish grew up in State College, Pennsylvania, and entered military service as an enlisted member of HHQ 314th Infantry (M), United States Army Reserves, in 1989. He graduated From Saint Francis College in 1994 and received an Active Duty commission as an ordinance officer from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Upon completion of the Ordinance Officers Basic Course, Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland, Major McTavish was assigned as a platoon leader of the Ground Support Equipment Platoon, 514th Maintenance Company Fort Drum, N.Y. He then served as the shop officer of B Co 210th Forward Support Battalion 10th Mountain Division. After two years as a shop officer, he was moved to the 10th DISCOM where he performed as the Division Class IX supply parts expediter and finally as the Division Material managements officer.
In January 2000, MAJ McTavish regrettably left the Army and took a position as a material manager for Sony electronics in New Stanton, Pennsylvania. Later, in April 2002, he rejoined the military as a member of the PAARNG. Major McTavish reentered active service in June 2002 when he was selected for an active guard reserve (AGR) position as the Bn Training Officer for the 128th Forward Support Battalion. With the 128th, he served as the HHC company commander and B company commander until he was deployed with the 228th Forward support battalion in January 2005. During this eighteen-month Operation Iraqi Freedom deployment, Maj McTavish served as the commander A Company 228th Forward Support Battalion. Upon demobilization, Maj McTavish was again reassigned as the 128th FSB training Officer (AGR), where he assumed the position of Bn S-3 until he was reassigned to Indiana University of Pennsylvania in December 2007.
Major McTavish is a graduate of the Ordnance Officer’s Basic Course, the Combined Logistics Captain Carrier Course, the Combined Arms and Service Staff School, and the U.S Army Air Assault School. His awards include the Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal (2OLC), Overseas Service Ribbon, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Army Service ribbon, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal (M), the Army Reserves Commendation Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, and the Air Assault Badge.
Major McTavish resides in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, and has two daughters, Madison and Meghan.
