Colonel Erin McHale was born in Providence, RI and raised in North Attleboro, MA. She is a graduate of Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY with a degree in Criminal Justice, minor in Psychology.
Commissioned in 1998, Colonel McHale attended the Basic Officer Course, Logistics Officer's Course, and reported to 2D Supply Battalion, 2D FSSG in 1999. Colonel McHale served as the Motor Transport/Maintenance Management Officer and Battalion S-4. In June of 2000, she assumed the duties of the S-4A of MEU Service Support Group (MSSG) 24, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). She completed two deployments with MSSG-24 and participated in Operation's Cooperative Partner, Mediterranean Shark, and Albanian PHIBLEX.
From June 2002 to June 2005, Colonel McHale assumed the duties of the Base Operations Officer, lst Marine Corps District, Garden City, NY. Upon graduating from Expeditionary Warfare School (EWS) in June 2006, Colonel McHale served as a Platoon Commander at Officer Candidates School (OCS) until September 2006 when she was transferred to Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron, 2D Marine Aircraft Wing and assumed the duties of the S-4. During this tour, Colonel McHale deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) 07-09 and returned for OIF 08-10 to serve as the Headquarters Squadron Detachment Officer in Charge {OIC).
Colonel McHale assumed the duties as the Operations Officer, Wounded Warrior Battalion-East in August 2009. After her transfer to Combat Logistics Regiment (CLR) 27 in August 2011, she was sent to augment II Marine Expeditionary Force {MEF)(Forward) as a Planner in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) 11.2. Upon her return from Afghanistan, Colonel McHale executed orders to serve as the Executive Officer for Combat Logistics Battalion (CLB) 22.
Colonel McHale served as the CLB-22 Executive Officer for the 22D MEU deployment from February to October 2014 to include serving as the MEU Liaison Officer to the Joint Force Landing Component Commander (JFLCC) for Iraq contingency planning during summer of 2014. Colonel McHale remained the CLB-22 Executive Officer until her transfer to Twentynine Palms, CA in June 2015 where she assumed command of CLB-7 in October 2015.
In September of 2016, Colonel McHale deployed as the Commander of the Logistics Combat Element (LCE) in support of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force, Crisis Response, Central Command (SPMAGTF-CR-CC). In June of 2017, Colonel McHale relinquished command of CLB-7 and transferred to Marine Corps Command and Staff College in Quantico, VA to serve as a Military Faculty Advisor. In 2019-2020, Colonel McHale was selected to attend the National War College in Washington, D.C. where she earned a Master's of Science Degree in National Security Strategy.
Upon graduating, Colonel McHale transferred to 2D Marine Logistics Group (MLG) to serve as the AC/S G-4 and AC/S G-3 until her transfer to COMUSNAVCENT in July 2023. She served as the Fleet Marine Officer until July 2024 when she assumed the duties of the Command Inspector General for Marine Corps Installations East.
Colonel McHale's personal awards include the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal with a silver star, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with one star, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.