Capt. Hicks is a native of Whidbey Island, Washington.  He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2002, where he commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps.  He also holds a master’s degree in Defense and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College and is a graduate of the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program.  He earned his coveted Wings of Gold in Corpus Christi, Texas in January 2004.

Hicks served operational tours in five squadrons: the “Sandeman” of Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron (VQ) 2, the “Lancers” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 131, “Gray Wolves” of VAQ-142, a second tour with the “Lancers” as department head, and the “Scorpions” of VAQ-132 as executive officer and commanding officer.  

His initial fleet aircraft was the EP-3E Aries, deploying on six overseas detachments in support of national strategic tasking and various operations throughout the U.S. Central Command and Southern Command theaters.  He subsequently transitioned to the EA-6B Prowler, where he deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.  After his second transition, to the EA-18G Growler, he deployed multiple times in the Indo-Pacific area of operation. 

His three ashore tours include: instructor pilot with the “Vikings” of VAQ-129 while serving as training and Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization (NATOPS) program manager/evaluator; expeditionary operations officer for Commander, Electronic Attack Wing, Pacific Fleet; and electronic warfare branch chief with the Joint Staff, J39 deputy director for Global Operations, where he served concurrently as U.S. representative to the NATO Electronic Warfare Advisory Committee.
 
He reported as Executive Officer of Abraham Lincoln in January 2025.

Hicks is a qualified mission commander in three operational aircraft and has accumulated over 3,350 flight hours, 300 carrier arrested landings, and 200 combat missions to date.  His awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (six strike/flight awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), and various unit and campaign awards.