Colonel Rob Hancock currently serves as the Commanding Officer, Headquarters and Service Battalion. He is a 1996 graduate of the Pennsylvania State University, where he earned his commission as a Second Lieutenant through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps.
His operational command and staff officer assignments include: platoon level commands in 2d Battalion, 8th Marines; Rifle Company Command and Battalion Operations Officer assignments with 1st Battalion, 6th Marines; and service as both the Future Operations Officer and Operations Officer with the 7th Marine Regiment.
Colonel Hancock’s operational deployments include participation in Operation NEW HORIZONS in Port Au Prince, Haiti, two deployments in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, and one deployment in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
His service in the supporting establishment and joint assignments include: Executive Officer, Marine Corps Recruiting Station Nashville, Tennessee; Tactics Instructor, Officer Candidates School; Commanding Officer, Marine Corps Recruiting Station Buffalo, New York; Commanding Officer, Marine Combat Training Battalion, School of Infantry-East; and Force Management Branch Chief, Forces Division, Joint Staff J-8 Directorate.
In addition to The Basic School and Infantry Officers Course, Colonel Hancock is a graduate of the Expeditionary Warfare School, the Marine Corps Command and Staff College, and the National War College. He has earned a Masters Degrees in both Military Studies and National Security Strategy.
His personal decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with two gold stars, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device and one gold star, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.