Lieutenant Commander Max McCoy is a native of Orlando, Florida, and graduated from Oviedo High School in 1987. He attended the United States Naval Academy and graduated in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Oceanography.

Max reported to Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida, for aviation indoctrination in January 1992. He completed primary flight training at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas, and transferred to NAS Meridian, Mississippi, for intermediate and advanced flight training. He received his wings of gold in July 1994.

From Meridian, Max reported to the "Rough Riders" of Strike Fighter Squadron 125 (VFA 125) at NAS Lemoore, California, for training in the F/A-18 Hornet. In August 1995, he reported to the "Vigilantes" of VFA 151 and deployed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Constellation (CV 64). While attached to the "Vigilantes," Max completed a six-month western Pacific deployment and flew several missions in support of Operation Southern Watch. During his tour with VFA 151, Max served as legal officer, avionics officer, quality assurance officer, training officer, assistant operations officer and landing signal officer.

Max reported to the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN), at NAS Fallon, Nevada, in October 1998 for training. Upon graduating in December 1998, he was designated a strike fighter tactics instructor and reported to Strike Fighter Weapons School Pacific at NAS Lemoore, California.

Max joined the Blue Angels for his first tour in September 2000 flying the left wing and slot positions in 2001 and 2002, respectively. Max then reported to the "Knighthawks" of VFA 136 at NAS Oceana, Virginia. He served as the safety, operations and maintenance officer during his department head tour with the "Knighthawks." The "Knighthawks" deployed aboard USS George Washington and conducted numerous missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.