Major Terry McCoy graduated from Ohio University with a B.A. in Geology. After completing both Junior and Senior Platoon Leaders Courses, he commissioned in the United States Marine Corps and completed the Basic School in 2010. He was then assigned to Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 12 as an air intelligence officer.
Between 2010-2012, Second Lieutenant McCoy served as the assistant intelligence officer, supporting the resident MAG-12 squadrons and unit deployment program F/A-18C/D and EA-6B squadrons. From June 2012 to May 2013, First Lieutenant McCoy served as the intelligence officer for Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (All Weather) 242, where he led a section of intelligence and imagery analysis specialists through exercises in Guam, South Korea, Okinawa, Thailand, and the Philippines. During this period, he graduated from Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One’s Weapons Tactics Instructor Course.
Captain McCoy served as the intelligence officer for MAG-14 from 2013 until 2016, providing intelligence support to EA-6B, KC-130J, AV-8B, RQ-21 and aviation support squadrons that were deploying to the USCENTCOM, USINDOPACOM, USAFRICOM, and USEUCOM areas of responsibility. Simultaneously, he served as the officer-in-charge for 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing’s Squadron Intelligence Training and Certification Course. In 2016 Captain McCoy deployed to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti as Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252’s intelligence officer. During this period, Captain McCoy completed Expeditionary Warfare School distance education program. Until July 2019, Captain McCoy served as the course director for the Air Intelligence Officer Course in Dam Neck, Virginia, and the lead instructor for the Tactical Intelligence Officer Course. Captain McCoy graduated from Marine Corps Command and Staff distance education program while at this duty station.
In August 2019, Major McCoy reported to United States Forces Korea / United States Combined Forces Command and served as an analyst and intelligence planner until he assumed the duties as the C/J-25 plans branch chief in 2020. During this time, he also graduated from New England College with an M.A. in international relations and the Joint and Combined Warfare School, making him a Joint Qualified Officer.
In June 2022, Major McCoy graduated from resident Command and Staff College at Marine Corps University in Quantico, VA, with a master’s degree in military studies. Upon completion, he returned to Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni to serve as the intelligence officer for MAG-12. In February 2024, Major McCoy assumed the duties as the executive officer of Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 at MCAS Iwakuni.
Personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, a Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and various unit awards.