A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Commander McKim graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2012, earning a Bachelor of Science in History. Commander McKim reported to NAS Pensacola, FL for flight training in July 2012. She earned her Naval Aviator Wings in January 2014. In January 2014, Commander McKim reported to the HSM-40 “Airwolves” for initial fleet training as an MH-60R pilot.
  
Commander McKim began her operational flying in November 2014 with the “Scorpions” of HSM-49.  While a “Scorpion”, she deployed to FIFTH and SEVENTH Fleets onboard USS MOMSEN (DDG 92) and USS LAKE ERIE (CG 70), participating in HSM-49’s first ever MH-60R deployment.  

Commander McKim reported to the HSM-40 “Airwolves” in December 2017 as a Fleet Replacement Squadron Instructor Pilot. While at HSM-40, she served as the Legal Officer, Schedule Writer, and Assistant Operations Officer. 

In July 2020, she graduated from the Seahawk Weapons and Tactics Instructor (SWTI) course. In December 2020, Commander McKim earned her Maritime Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (MISR) Weapons and Tactics Instructor patch and reported to the MISR Weapons School at the Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center (NAWDC) in Fallon, Nevada as the first-ever MH-60R pilot on MISR Weapons School staff.

Commander McKim returned to the fleet as a Department Head in HSM-72, “Proud Warriors”.  While with the “Proud Warriors”, she earned her Maritime Rotary Wing Mission Commander qualification and completed one deployment in SIXTH Fleet aboard USS HARRY S TRUMAN (CVN 75) in support of Exercise NEPTUNE STRIKE, serving as the Operations Officer.

Following her department head tour, Commander McKim returned to NAWDC to serve as the SEAHUNTER Assistant Department Head. She selected for squadron command in March 2025 and reported to HSM-35 as Executive Officer in November 2025.

Commander McKim has accumulated over 2,000 flight hours and over 400 small deck landings. Her awards include the Navy Commendation Medal (4 awards), and Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal and various service awards and ribbons.