Lieutenant Colonel Hart was raised in Cincinnati, Ohio and graduated from Miami University (OH) in 2007 with a degree in Geography. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in May 2007. After completing The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia in 2008 he was then assigned to NAS Pensacola, Florida and designated a Naval Aviator in February 2010.
After receiving his wings, First Lieutenant Hart reported to HMLAT-303 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California for initial training in the AH-1W. In August 2010, First Lieutenant Hart reported to HMLA-169, MAG-39. He deployed twice to Helmand Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF) 10.2-11.1 and 12.2-13.1. After his second deployment, Captain Hart attended the Weapons and Tactics Instructor course 1-14. In February 2014, he converted to the upgraded AH-1Z. While at HMLA-169, Captain Hart held positions as Adjutant, Flight Officer, Pilot Training Officer, Future Operations Officer, and Squadron AH-1 Weapons and Tactics Instructor.
In March 2015, Captain Hart was assigned to B Company 1st Battalion 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. During this assignment he conducted three deployments in support of contingency operations and served as a liaison officer, mission pilot, and Operations Officer.
In March 2018, Major Hart was selected to study abroad in Ljubljana, Slovenia as an Olmsted Scholar. After completing language training at the Foreign Service Institute in Washington, DC, he moved to Ljubljana, Slovenia to complete a master’s degree in political geography at the University of Ljubljana. As a result of this assignment Major Hart earned the military occupational specialty of Foreign Area Officer, Europe.
In July 2021, Major Hart was assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 39 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California where he served as Future Operations Officer. In December 2021, Major Hart was assigned to HMLA-169 where he served as the Director of Safety and Standardization and Executive Officer. In December 2022, Major Hart was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and reported to Marine Aircraft Group 39 Headquarters to serve as the MAG-39 Executive Officer until April 2024. Lieutenant Colonel Hart assumed his current duties as Commanding Officer, HMLA-369 in June 2024.
Lieutenant Colonel Hart has logged over 2,700 mishap-free flight hours. He is a graduate of the Marine Corps Expeditionary Warfare School – Distance Education Program and the Air Command and Staff College – Distance Education Program. His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal Strike/Flight with Numeral 11, and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Gold Star.
Lieutenant Colonel Hart is married to the former Amanda Heinly of Cincinnati, OH; they have three children, Avery, Ethan, and Eli.