Major Hughes is a native of Emerald Isle, NC. He completed Officer Candidate School (OCS) in the summer of 2013, commissioned in the Marine Corps in December 2014, and completed The Basic School (TBS) in November 2015.
Second Lieutenant Hughes attended Logistics Officers Course (LOC) at Camp Johnson, NC and earned the 0402 Logistics Officer MOS in March 2016. He was then assigned to 3d Transportation Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 3 on Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. First Lieutenant Hughes served as a Platoon Commander, Company Executive Officer, Combat Logistics Detachment Commander, S-4 OIC, and Motor Transport Company Commander. First Lieutenant Hughes participated in multiple deployments for training on the Korean Peninsula. As Company Commander, First Lieutenant Hughes deployed Motor Transport Company in support of Freedom Banner/SSang Yong, a major joint/combined Maritime Prepositioning Force (MPF) exercise, culminating in 3d TSB being awarded Motor Transport Unit of the year for the Marine Corps in 2018.
In the Fall of 2018, First Lieutenant Hughes applied, and was selected, for Field Accession into the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) MOS. He executed his undergraduate UAS training with the USAF 558th Flying Training Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA) Randolph in San Antonio, TX. Following completion of undergraduate training in July of 2019, Captain Hughes received orders to VMU-2 aboard MCAS Cherry Point, NC.
Upon check-in to VMU-2, Captain Hughes was quickly sent to VMU-1 aboard MCAS Yuma, AZ on a six-month deployment-in-garrison serving as an MQ-9A Unmanned Mission Commander (UMC) flying in support of combat operations and tasking under OPERATION FREEDOM’S SENTINEL and was part of the NATO-led OPERATION RESOLUTE SUPPORT mission.
In January of 2020, Captain Hughes checked back in with VMU-2 where he completed RQ-21A initial qualification and held multiple billets. He served as the Ground Safety Officer, Aircraft Maintenance Officer (AMO), and Pilot Training Officer (PTO). He served as a detachment OIC for multiple RQ-21A detachments in support of ITX/SLTE and joint exercises with US Army forces aboard Fort Stewart, Georgia. While with VMU-2, Captain Hughes earned the designations of Basic Instructor Pilot (BIP), Weapons Training Officer (WTO), and Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI).
In July of 2022, Captain Hughes was assigned to Marine Detachment Holloman at Holloman Air Force base, NM. While with the detachment, Captain Hughes graduated MQ-9A Initial Qualification Training (IQT) as a distinguished graduate and completed the Formal Instructor Upgrade Training (FIUT) to become an MQ-9A instructor at the USAF Formal Training Unit (FTU). He served as the detachment Pilot Training Officer (PTO) and assistant Officer in Charge. During this time, Captain Hughes executed the requalification syllabus to earn designation as an MQ-9A WTO/WTI.
In June of 2024, Major Hughes was assigned to VMUT-2 where he served as Operations Officer. In this capacity, Maj Hughes oversaw the creation and execution of the Marine Corps’ first MQ-9A Initial Qualification Training (IQT) period of instruction. In June of 2025, Maj Hughes assumed the role of Squadron Executive Officer where he currently serves.
Major Hughes received his Bachelors in Political Science from East Carolina University in 2014. He was a Distinguished Graduate of Expeditionary Warfare School (EWS) Blended Seminar Program (BSP) in 2020 and a Distinguished Graduate of Command and Staff College (CSC) Blended Seminar Program (BSP) in 2024.
His personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2 Gold Stars).