Robb T. McDonald attended Recruit Training in Parris Island, SC, and subsequently the School of Infantry in Camp Geiger, NC, in 1996, where he received the military occupational specialty (MOS) 0311, Marine Rifleman. McDonald was assigned to 3d Force Reconnaissance Company from 1996 to 2000, where he completed various schools, to include: SERE, Cold Weather Survival, Basic Reconnaissance Course (BRC), U.S. Army Airborne School, and the U.S. Marine Combatant Diver Course. From 1997 to 2000, his primary MOS was 0321, Reconnaissance Marine.
McDonald attended Officer Candidate School and was commissioned in 2000. He attended the Basic School the same year and reported to flight school in 2001. He graduated flight school in Kingsville, Texas, in 2003 and was assigned to the AV-8B Harrier. After completion of the Fleet Replacement Squadron in Cherry Point, NC, he reported to Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 211 in MCAS Yuma, AZ. While assigned to VMA-211 from 2004 to 2007, McDonald deployed twice to Iraq for combat operations in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.
From 2007 to 2010, McDonald was assigned to the Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC) and served with 2d Marine Raider Battalion in Camp Lejeune, NC. While assigned to 2d MRB, he deployed three times to combat operations in Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM with Marine Special Operations Companies Golf, Hotel, and Fox.
From 2010 to 2013, McDonald was again assigned to VMA-211 in Yuma, AZ, where he deployed twice more, once with the 31st MEU and again to Afghanistan for combat operations in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. During this time he served as the Aircraft Maintenance Officer, the Director of Safety and Standardization, and the Executive Officer.
From 2013 to 2015, McDonald returned to MARSOC and served with 1st Marine Raider Battalion in Camp Pendleton, CA. While assigned to 1st MRB he deployed to Afghanistan with Special Operations Task Force 81 to conduct combat operations in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
From 2015 to 2016, McDonald attended the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, RI. Upon graduation he reported to Marine Attack Training Squadron (VMAT) 203 in Cherry Point, NC, where he served as the Executive Officer from 2016 to 2018. He was selected for command in 2017.
McDonald commanded VMA-311 in Yuma, AZ, from 2018 to 2020, deploying to the Middle East for combat operations in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE. After command he attended Top Level School (TLS) at the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, RI, graduating in 2021. He then transferred to NORAD & USNORTHCOM where he served as the Foreign Affairs and NORAD Policy Branch Chief (J523), and then as the Executive Officer to the NORAD & USNORTHCOM Commander.
McDonald’s personal decorations include the Silver Star, Defense Superior Service Medal, two Bronze Stars with Combat V, the Purple Heart, two Meritorious Service Medals, eleven Air Medals, three Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, and various unit and campaign medals.