On 01 April 2023, CWO Hays assumed his role as the Program Manager for Identity and Attribution Activities (IA2).
CWO Hays was born on 16 December 1980, and graduated from Hays High School in Hays, Kansas in 1999. He enlisted in the Marine Corps on 18 Aug 1999 and underwent Marine Corps Recruit Training at MCRD San Diego CA. Upon graduation, he was assigned to Marine Combat Training at Camp Pendleton, CA. Following graduation, he was then assigned to Military Police School at Fort Leonard Wood, MO where he attained the MOS 5811, Military Policeman.
His first permanent assignment was MP Supt. Co, MWSS 272, MCAS New River, NC. While at MCAS New River he deployed multiple times in support of annual exercises. He also served at the at the Provost Marshal’s Office under the Fleet Augmentation Program (FAP) as a Patrolman and Special Reaction Team Member. In 2002 2ND MP Battalion (BN) was established at Camp Lejeune, NC and he was subsequently transferred to A Co, where he served as a squad leader and Non-Lethal Weapons Instructor. In February 2003, he was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom during which he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.
Upon return from deployment, he received orders to Okinawa, Japan and was transferred to the Provost Marshal’s Office, MCB Camp Butler. He served as a watch commander and subsequently conducted a lateral move to the Criminal Investigation Division (CID/5821) occupational specialty. While serving with CID MCB Camp Butler; he served in the billets of Case Agent, Evidence Custodian, and Special Enforcement Section Chief.
In 2007 CWO Hays was transferred back to Camp Lejeune NC, for duty as a Criminal Investigator, during which he was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant. Shortly thereafter he was deployed to Iraq with 3rd Battalion 10th Marines as part of Task Force MP. While in Iraq, he was assigned to the Joint Prosecution and Exploitation Center in Camp Fallujah, where he served in support of the Police Transition Team 8-B and as the Tactical Site Exploitation Operations Cell Team Leader. Just prior to redeployment to Camp Lejeune he was selected to the rank of Warrant Officer.
In October 2008 CWO Hays returned to Camp Lejeune and completed a PCA to MP Supt Co, II MHG. In January 2009 CWO Hays transferred to The Basic School (TBS), Quantico VA where he was assigned to India Co. Upon completion of TBS he received PCS orders to return to Okinawa, Japan to serve with MP Supt Co, III MHG. He reported to III MHG June 2009 and was subsequently FAPed to MCB Camp Butler to serve as the CID Operations Officer. While serving at PMO, CWO Hays attached to III MEB to serve as the AT/FP Officer for PHIBLEX 2010, PHIBLEX 2011, PHIBLEX 2012, and Ssang Yong/Freedom Banner 2012. In August 2011 CWO Hays De-Faped from PMO and returned to MP Supt Co to assist in the establishment of 3d LE BN, III MHG to serve as the S2 and CID OIC.