Meet Robert Hackett, USMC — 2019 Veteran

Robert "Buddy" Hackett joined the United States Marine Corps in 1986, arrived at Parris Island for recruit training in June, graduated in August and was meritoriously promoted to Lance Corporal. Buddy then went to Camp Geiger for Marine Combat Training and Camp LeJeune for School of Infantry and graduated as an 0311, Marine Rifleman. He was then assigned to the 2nd Marine Division at Camp LeJeune. Buddy was then accepted into the Navy/Marine Corps ROTC program and Norwich University at The Military College of Vermont when he was transferred to the Reserves and served in Bravo Company 1/25th Marines.

During his senior year at Norwich University (1990) Buddy was activated from the reserves as a Corporal and deployed to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iraq for Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Upon returning to the US, Buddy was promoted to Sergeant and returned to the reserves in 1991. Buddy graduated from Norwich University in 1992 and continued his service in the Marine Reserves both at home and abroad until 1995. Buddy was not physically qualified to re-enlist due to several injuries he received during his enlistment and ended his Marine Corps career with an Honorable Discharge in 1995.

Photos of Robert Hackett, USMC (Click the image to begin a slide show)
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Buddy continues to serve his fellow veterans as a peer support counselor, case manager for homeless veterans, mental health clinical intern and is currently a Certified Veteran Development Coach working towards his Master of Social Work degree from the University of New Hampshire where he plans receive his degree in December 2019. Buddy has a 100% disability rating from the VA due to injuries received while serving in the Marine Corps but continues to work with Veterans who have challenges such as PTSD. Buddy is married to his wife Tia of fifteen years and they have a ten-year-old son Finn and live as a family in Barrington, New Hampshire.

During the past year, Buddy has been battling Pancreatic Cancer and most recently had surgery to remove a tumor from his spinal cord. Buddy continues to fight and is currently cancer free.

Awards and Decorations:

  • National Defense Service Medal
  • Southwest Asia Service Medal
  • Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
  • Combat Action Ribbon

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Jeff Anderson
CEO/Founder, Rebuilding Warriors