COLUMBIA, S.C. - Jim McClain, director of the state Probation and Parole Department for fewer than six months, has quit after questions arose about claims on his resume.

Gov. Mark Sanford on Friday accepted the resignation, which is effective immediately, according to spokesman Will Folks.

Probation and Parole Department chief of staff Stephen G. Birnie - who served as interim director until McClain took over - will manage the agency until Sanford appoints a replacement. The governor did not indicate when he might make an appointment.

McClain submitted his resignation after an inquiry into items listed on his resume. He refused to comment Friday on any specific issues on his background when reached by phone at his Orangeburg County home.

"The only thing I can say is I'm really pleased to have had the privilege to serve," he said.

McClain was appointed in April as head of the state Probation and Parole Department.

A copy of McClain's resume obtained by The Associated Press lists under McClain's experience, "Director of Public Affairs, United States Marine Corps," and "tactical jet aviator (combat)."

McClain told The (Greenville) News last month that he actually was director of public affairs for the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at the El Toro Air Station near Irvine, Calif., from 1989 to 1991.

A spokesman for the public affairs unit in the Marine Corps' headquarters in Washington last month said McClain attended but did not complete flight school. Marine Gunnery Sgt. Michael Giannetti said McClain would be considered a tactical navigator flight student, not an aviator.

When a decision was made to move forward with McClain's application for the Parole Department, a comprehensive set of forms was filled out, Folks said.

"None of this information was included on the materials McClain filled out relative to the hiring process or the Senate confirmation," Folks said.

The only references to McClain's military background in those forms was his service in the Air Force from 1963 to 1967, and his service in the Marine Corps from 1974 to 1992, Folks said. "Both of those pieces of information were substantiated," he said.

Before McClain was hired, his driver's record, credit record and professional references were checked, Folks said. He also went through a State Law Enforcement Division background check, he said.

Senate Corrections Chairman Michael Fair, R-Greenville, said news of McClain's resignation was unfortunate.

"When I first heard - maybe it's because of my personal respect and admiration for the man - I thought this was just fluff," Fair said. "I think it's more of an embarrassment as opposed to a serious breach of ethics."