Major Robert T. Hastings, Jr. was commissioned as an Aviation Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School class 87-1, 20 February 1987. His first duty assignment was as Attack Helicopter Platoon Leader, 226th Attack Helicopter Battalion, 101st Aviation Brigade, Fort Rucker, Alabama. | His subsequent duty assignments were as a Forward Support (Class III/V) Platoon Leader, 2nd BN, 101st AVN Regiment, Fort Rucker, AL; Aviation Operations, Intelligence & Training Officer, 5th Army, Fort Sam Houston, Texas; Regimental Operations Officer, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fluda, Germany; Air Cavalry Troop Commander (OH-58/AH-64), 4th Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fulda, Germany; Air Assault Troop Commander (UH-60), 4th Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fulda, Germany; Public Affairs Officer/Command Information Officer, Headquarters, V Corps, Frankfurt, Germany; Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Army Europe (FWD), Kaposvar, Hungary; Deputy Public Affairs Officer, Headquarters, V Corps, Frankfurt, Germany; Public Affairs Team leader - Senior Army Instructor, Defense Information School, Office of the Secretary of Defense Public Affairs, Fort Meade, Maryland. | Upon retirement from the U.S. Army, Mr. Hastings was employed as a Corporate Vice President with BAE Systems and Northrop Grumman Corporation and returned to public service in 2008 when he was appointed by President George W. Bush to serve as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs. At the time of his induction into the OCS Hall of Fame, Mr. Hastings was employed as Executive Vice President, Communications and Government Affairs, and Chief of Staff for Bell Helicopter, Fort Worth, Texas. | His military education consists of the Aviation Officer Basic Course; Scout Platoon Leader's Course; Cavalry Leader's Course; M1 Tank Commander Certification Course; Armor Officer Advanced Course; Combined Arms Service Staff School; Rotary Wing Aviators Course; Air Assault School; Pathfinder School; Joint Firepower Control Course; Strategic Mobility Planners Course. | His military awards include the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service; Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Army Meritorious Service Medal; Army Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal; NATO Medal; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; Texas Outstanding Service Medal.