Sergeant Major Hackett enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on 8 February 1993 and attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego, California. Upon graduation from recruit training, he reported to the School of Infantry (SOI), Camp Pendleton, California where he received the military occupational specialty (MOS) of 0311, rifleman.
After graduating SOI, Sergeant Major Hackett was assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines where he served as a Rifleman, Team Leader and Squad Leader from August, 1993 to February, 1997. While assigned to Company B, he was meritoriously promoted to the ranks of Lance Corporal and Corporal. He participated in operations Southern Watch, Restore Hope, Vigilant Warrior, Vigilant Sentinel, Desert Strike and JTF 6 Mission 319-95.
Sergeant Major Hackett received orders in February, 1997 to Marine Corps Security Forces Guard School. Upon completion of school, he was placed on the Personal Reliability Program and assigned to Marine Corps Security Force Company, North Island, California where he served as Sergeant of the Guard and Designated Marksman Instructor.
In September of 1998, Sergeant Major Hackett requested orders to MCRD San Diego to attend Drill Instructor School 1-99. Upon graduation from Drill Instructor School, Sergeant Major Hackett was assigned to Company H, 2d Recruit Training Battalion, MCRD San Diego, California. Sergeant Major Hackett successfully completed 7 training cycles, serving as Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor and was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant.
Sergeant Major Hackett received orders and reported to 3d Battalion, 1st Marines, Camp Pendleton, California In January 2002. He served as the Assistant Operations Chief during a WestPac Deployment in June of 2002. In January 2003, he served as the Platoon Sergeant for 1st Platoon, Company L where he deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and Iraqi Freedom 2-2. In November 2004, he participated in the battle of Fallujah as part of Operation AL FAJR/PHANTOM FURY.
In May of 2005, Sergeant Major Hackett was selected and received orders to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY where he served as the Assistant Marine Officer Instructor for the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps.
Sergeant Major Hackett was selected for First Sergeant and received orders in July of 2008 to Military Police Support Company, I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group where he deployed to Afghanistan in support Of Operation Enduring Freedom 10-1 and 10-2. Upon his return, Sergeant Major Hackett received orders and was assigned as the Company First Sergeant of Company A, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, MCRD San Diego.
Sergeant Major Hackett was selected for Sergeant Major and served as the Battalion Sergeant Major for 5th Battalion, 11th Marines from May 2013 to November 2014. Sergeant Major Hackett received orders and reported to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463 as the Squadron Sergeant Major where he served until March of 2017.
In April of 2017, Sergeant Major Hackett was selected as the Barracks Sergeant Major for Marine Barracks Washington D.C. (8th & I). Sergeant Major Hackett assumed his current assignment as the Marine Corps Installations West-Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton Sergeant Major on 14 June, 2019.
Sergeant Major Hackett’s personal awards include the Legion of Merit, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal with 2 gold stars in lieu of third award, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Metal w/Combat Distinguishing Device to include 3 gold stars and the Combat Action Ribbon.