Lieutenant Colonel McKillop grew up near Sacramento, CA where he met his wife, Meghan. He enlisted in the Marine Corps as a Horn instrumentalist in 2001. After briefly serving at the U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific Band, he received an early discharge for NROTC.

He earned his commission in 2006 and graduated from The Basic School and the Military Police Basic Officer Leadership Course in 2007. His early assignments include Platoon Commander, Assistant Operations Officer, and Company Commander with Marine Wing Support Squadron 372; he deployed with the Squadron in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Between deployments, he was temporarily assigned as a Platoon Commander at the Provost Marshal’s Office (PMO) at Camp Pendleton.

In 2010, he served as Assistant Operations Officer at Weapons and Field Training Battalion, MCRD San Diego, then as Company Commander in 2011. He attended the Military Police Captains’ Career Course in 2013 before being assigned to Camp Lejeune. He served briefly at the Camp Lejeune/MCAS New River PMO before appointment as the Staff Secretary, Marine Corps Installations East-MCB Camp Lejeune. He returned to the PMO in 2015 and served as the S-3, Operations Officer.

In 2017, he reported as the Protection Head and concurrently served as the Command Security Manager to U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe and Africa. He then attended the College of Naval Command and Staff at the U.S. Naval War College. He reported to South Carolina and assumed duties as the Provost Marshal at MCAS Beaufort and MCRD Parris Island in July 2021.

Lieutenant Colonel McKillop has a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, a Master’s Degree in Business and Organizational Security Management, a Master’s Degree in Defense and Strategic Studies, and a Master's Degree in Business Administration. His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal gold star in lieu of second award, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.