Patrick Hinker graduated from Cheyenne East High School in May of 2009. He enrolled and attended he Fall and Spring semester at Laramie County Community College starting in August of 2009. On 1 October 2009 he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and entered the Delayed Entry Program. He attended Boot Camp from June to September of 2010, Marine Combat Training from October to November and Graduated KC-130J C-school in March of 2011. From March 2011 to September of 2015 he served with VMGR-234 in Fort Worth, Texas as a Powerline Mechanic. He deployed twice and held a Collateral Duty Inspector Stamp. in September of 2015 he reported to VMFAT-501 as an F-35B Powerline Mechanic. He has held a CDI and Collateral Duty Quality Assurance Representative Stamp. As of September 2017 he serves as a Maintenance Controller and an F-35B Safe for Flight.