Colonel McArthur was born in Landstuhl, Germany and was raised in Phoenix, AZ. He enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve on 23 June 1993 and attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA. During his enlisted service he served as both a rifleman and small arms repairman with Lima Company 3rd Battalion 24th Marines and India Company 3rd Battalion 24th Marines. He also deployed to Guantanamo Bay in support of Operation SEA SIGNAL and participated in two JTF-6 counter narcotics missions. He was commissioned in May of 1999 following graduation from East Tennessee State University. Following the Basic School, he attended Artillery Officers Basic Course in Lawton, OK.
His service in the operating forces include: Forward Observer, Fire Direction Officer and Liaison Officer Battery K, 2nd Battalion 11th Marines from January 2000 to June 2003 where he deployed with the 31st MEU in 2001 and in support of 3rd Battalion 5th Marines during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM in 2003; 03 Advisor to the 27th Iraqi Brigade from October 2006 to November 2007; Commander Battery M, Logistics Officer, and Operations Officer 3rd Battalion 11th Marines from November 2007 to July 2010 where he deployed in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in 2009; and Future Operations Regional Plans Officer III MEF from July 2015 to June 2017.
His tours outside the operating forces include: Platoon Commander and Guard Officer Marine Corps Security Force Company, Bangor, WA from August 2003 to June 2006; Training Officer Advisor Training Group, Twentynine Palms, CA from July 2011 to June 2014; and as a Planning and Command and Control Instructor with Marine Air Ground Task Force Staff Training Program (MSTP) Quantico, VA from July 2017 to May 2018.
From May 2018 to June 2020 Col McArthur served as the Commanding Officer 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, Parris Island, SC.
From June 2020 to July 2023 Col McArthur served as a Joint Operational and Strategic Planner and Operations Functional Group Lead with the Joint Enabling Capabilities Command (JECC) Norfolk, VA.
Col McArthur is currently assigned as as the Commanding Officer, Recruit Training Regiment, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, SC.
Colonel McArthur is a graduate of the Expeditionary Warfare School, Marine Corps Command and Staff College with distinction, the School of Advanced Warfighting, and the Joint Advanced Warfighting School with distinction. He holds multiple advanced degrees including a Masters in Military Studies, Masters in Operational Studies, and Masters in Joint Campaign Planning and Strategy.
Colonel McArthur's personal awards include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.