[citation needed] McLaughlin joined the United States Army as a Dismount Infantry Squad Automatic Weapon Gunner in 2002.

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.

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.

In February 2013, McLaughlin was cast as the male lead in Believe, a television pilot by Alfonso Cuarón[2] which was picked to series in May 2013.