[6][7] McKinney enlisted in the United States Army in August 1968, and completed Basic Training as a Cavalryman at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

[11] While McKinney was suspended from his duties as Sergeant Major of the Army, five more female soldiers accused him of similar improprieties.

McKinney was thereupon permanently reassigned out of his billet and laterally redesignated to the rank of Command Sergeant Major; his successor, Robert E. Hall, was promptly installed.

McKinney was acquitted of all sexual harassment charges, but was convicted of obstruction of justice and received a reduction in grade to Master Sergeant and a reprimand.

[14] On October 25, 2010, McKinney allegedly hit a man with his car on purpose, and was charged with felony malicious wounding.

[15][17][18][19][20] Based on the preliminary hearing in April 2011, a judge ruled that the evidence in the case was sufficient to proceed to trial.