LtCol Hoffman is a native of Canton, Ohio and grew up in southern California. He enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves after graduating high school. Upon graduating from the Marine Corps Recruit Training Depot in San Diego, CA, he was assigned to Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion 14th Marines in Pico Rivera, CA as a Field Artillery Cannon Crewman. After completing Officer Candidate School and graduating from San Jose State University with a Bachelors of Science degree in Aviation, he was commissioned May 24th 1996 via the Platoon Leaders Class program. Following graduation from The Basic School in May 1997, he began flight training and earned his wings on December 10th 1998.
LtCol Hoffman completed FA-18 transition training in March of 2000 and reported to “The Bats” of Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron – 242 at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar, CA, to fly the FA-18D Hornet. There he served as the Legal Officer, Classified Material Control Custodian and Airframes Officer In Charge (OIC). While with the “Bats”, he was certified as an Air Combat Tactics Instructor, qualified as a Forward Air Controller (Airborne) / Tactical Air Coordinator (Airborne) and designated as an FA-18 Mission Commander. During this assignment, he deployed to the Western Pacific twice in support of the Unit Deployment Program.
In 2004, LtCol Hoffman attended the Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) course at Coronado, CA and following completion was ordered to 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, Camp Pendleton, CA to serve as a Forward Air Controller. LtCol Hoffman deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as a Supporting Arms Liaison Team OIC.
LtCol Hoffman was transferred back to VMFA(AW)-242 at MCAS Miramar in 2005. There he attended the Marine Corps Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course and served as the Squadron Training Officer, Director of Safety and Standardization and Operations Officer attaining the additional certifications as FAC(A) / TAC(A) Instructor and FA-18 Weapons and Tactics Instructor. During this assignment, he deployed back to Iraq with his squadron in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In March of 2008, LtCol Hoffman relocated with VMFA(AW)-242 to MCAS Iwakuni Japan where he served the remainder of his tour with the squadron as the Operations Officer. In December of 2009 LtCol Hoffman deployed as an Individual Augment to join the “Lava Dogs” of 1st Battalion 3d Marines in Afghanistan to serve as a Company Forward Air Controller and Battalion Air Officer in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
In March of 2011 LtCol Hoffman was assigned to HQMC Aviation where he served as the Joint Fire Support Action Officer, TACP Advocate, Contract Close Air Support Manager and Marine Air Board Coordinator through December of 2012. In December of 2012, LtCol Hoffman was reassigned within HQMC Aviation as the Deputy Branch Head for Manpower and Support Branch where he served until being slated for command.
His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with strike flight numeral (7), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Valor (third award), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and Combat Action Ribbon (second award).