McLaughlin is the son of John P. McLaughlin and Rebecca Kay De Victoria. He attended Notre Dame Catholic School and Chico High School in Chico, California. He moved to Southern California and obtained a GED from North Hollywood High.\n', '

McLaughlin joined the U.S. Army in 2002. He was part of the 3rd Infantry Division. His unit was one of the first to enter Baghdad. NBC reporter David Bloom died while embedded with McLaughlin\'s unit. He served in Iraq and was critically injured. For his efforts, he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal and the Army Achievement Medal four times for his service during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was featured in Soldier of Fortune magazine. He is mentioned in David Zucchino\'s 2004 book Thunder Run.\n', '

After leaving the military, McLaughlin worked on a crab boat in Oregon and as a security guard at Universal Studios. He was living in Chico, California, doing concrete work and had only $200 in his checking account when he heard about the casting session for Paul Haggis\'s In the Valley of Elah. Being a former dismount infantry S.A.W. gunner in Iraq in real life, he thought he would read for the role after hearing that Haggis was auditioning actual vets for several parts.\n', '

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