Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Karl Andrew McKen was born in the parish of St. Thomas, Jamaica but received all his education from early childhood through to University in Kingston. He graduated from the St. Georges College and left after completed an additional two years for sixth form. After leaving high school, he worked with Jamaica Customs Department and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), at the United States Embassy in Kingston.

He began his career in the Jamaica Defence Force on October 25, 1995 and was commissioned in the rank of Second Lieutenant on June 9, 2002, promoted to Lieutenant in 2005, Captain in 2008, Major in 2015 and to his present rank of Lieutenant Colonel in September 2020.

Lt Col McKen has served in several capacities throughout his years of military service such as the training officer for three recruit intakes, athletics officer, orienteering officer, battalion shooting officer, platoon commander, adjutant, company 2IC, Company Commander and Battalion Commander since June 2019.  He is presently the Commanding Officer of the Support Battalion – the Jamaica National Reserve – (Sp Bn (NR)) located in Curphey Barracks, Up Park Camp, Kingston.

Lt Col McKen’s experiences have provided him with extensive training in Jamaica and overseas regarding investigations, intelligence gathering and analysis.

He is the recipient of the Medals of Honour for Meritorious Service, Efficient Service and General Service Clasp 2019. He holds a Bachelor in Business Administration from the University of Technology, Jamaica, a Master in Business Administration from the Nova Southeastern University in Florida, USA and a Legum Baccalaureus (LLB) from The University of London. He was called to Jamaican Bar in January 2021.

His hobbies include fishing, listening to music, dancing, watching movies and martial arts. He also makes time to support and participate with charitable organizations.