Sergeant Major McGovern was born on 10 July 1987 in Boston, Massachusetts. He enlisted in the Marine Corps on 19 September 2005 and attended recruit training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in South Carolina. Upon completion of recruit training, he attended Marine Combat Training on Camp Geiger, Jacksonville, North Carolina. Shortly thereafter, he attended his “A” school in Pensacola, Florida, for basic Avionics Technician Training. Upon completion of his A school, Private First Class McGovern reported to his “C” school aboard Marine Corps Air Station New River, Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training, where he was promoted to Lance Corporal and obtained the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) of 6323 Avionics Technician on CH-53E helicopters. 

In December of 2006, Lance Corporal McGovern was then assigned to HMH-461 aboard Marine Corps Air Station New River. During his time at HMH-461, Lance Corporal McGovern deployed to the Horn of Africa Djibouti in support of OEF-1, where he was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Corporal. While deployed, Corporal McGovern also completed his flight training and obtained the additional MOS of 6199 Enlisted Aircrew/Aerial Observer Gunner. Upon completion of his deployment, he returned and was meritoriously promoted to Sergeant shortly thereafter. 

Sergeant McGovern then completed numerous deployments, including the Horn of Africa again, Port Au Prince, Haiti in support of the earthquake relief, as well as a Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task force in support of operations Lost Horizon, Blue Storm, and Southern Partnership involving numerous countries in South America. In October of 2011, Sergeant McGovern reported to Drill Instructor School class 1-12, aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, where he graduated as a distinguished graduate as well as achieved the class Iron Man award. 

Upon completion of Drill Instructor School, Sergeant McGovern was assigned to Mike Company 3d Recruit Training Battalion. While assigned to Mike Company, Sergeant McGovern graduated eight platoons and served as a Drill Instructor, Experienced Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, Chief Drill Instructor, and Company Operations Chief. While serving as a Senior Drill Instructor, he was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant. 

Upon completing his Drill Instructor Duties, Staff Sergeant McGovern reported to HMH-361 aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, San Diego, California, in January of 2015. While attached to HMH-361, Staff Sergeant McGovern deployed to Okinawa, Japan, in May of 2016 in support of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. Upon returning home from deployment, he was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant in October of 2017. Once promoted, Gunnery Sergeant McGovern then acted as a Quality Assurance Representative within the unit. In March of 2018, Gunnery Sergeant McGovern was then attached to VMM-166 in support of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, where he acted as the Detachment Senior Enlisted Marine. In June of 2019, Gunnery Sergeant McGovern reported to Officer Training Command, Newport, Rhode Island, as a class Drill Instructor for Naval Candidates. 

In August of 2021 Gunnery Sergeant McGovern was promoted to the rank of First Sergeant and received orders to 1st Combat Engineer Battalion as a Company First Sergeant for Alpha Company and Headquarters and Service Company. In November of 2023 First Sergeant McGovern was frocked to his current rank of Sergeant Major and assumed the duties as the Battalion Sergeant Major for 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment in December of 2023. 

Sergeant Major McGovern's personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation medal with two gold stars in lieu of third award and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medal with one gold star in lieu of second award.