Colonel Hicks graduated from Coronado High School in El Paso, Texas and enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve in 1988. He served as a diesel mechanic and wrecker operator in Battery N, 5th Battalion, 14th Marines until 1994. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant through the Officer Candidate Course program following his graduation from the University of Texas El Paso in 1996.

As an air defense control officer Colonel Hicks has served in all three active duty Marine Air Control Squadrons, including two combat deployments in support of OPERATON ENDURING FREEDOM with MACS-4 and II Marine Expeditionary Brigade.  Billets held include TAOC Detachment Commander, operations officer at the squadron and group levels, and culmination as the Commanding Officer of MACS-4 from 2015 through 2017.

Duties in the supporting establishment have included tours as a Series Commander at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Officer Candidates School Platoon Commander, TAOC Division Head at Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One, and Air Defense Branch Head at Headquarters Marine Corps Aviation Expeditionary Enablers Branch in the Pentagon.  Colonel Hicks also served in the Joint Staff J7 as an operations observer/trainer and the Deployable Training Division Operations Officer.

He was promoted to his current rank in June 2021 and has served as the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing Inspector General and the III Marine Expeditionary Force Fire and Effects Coordinator.

Colonel Hicks is a graduate of the Command and Control Systems Course and Air War College resident programs.  His personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal.