Thomas Hayes is a native of Harrison, Arkansas and enlisted into the Marine Corps in October 2002. Private Hayes completed recruit training at MCRD San Diego, California in November 2003. Upon graduation from boot camp, he was meritoriously promoted to private first class and reported to SOI-West, Camp Pendleton, California, for MCT. In January of 2004 he reported to Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland and underwent MOS training as a towed artillery systems technician. Private First Class Hayes graduated, as honor graduate, in February 2004 with the designated MOS of 2131 artillery mechanic.
 
In February 2004, then Lance Corporal Hayes reported to 1st Battalion, 10th Marines, 2d Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, where he served as an artillery mechanic. In December of 2004 Lance Corporal Hayes received orders to temporarily assume duties as an armory custodian at 8th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, during which time he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from March 2005 to February 2006. In March of 2006 Corporal Hayes returned to 1st Battalion, 10th Marines; during this tour with 1st Battalion, 10th Marines he served as the artillery maintenance chief.
 
In January of 2007 he performed a lateral move and reported back to Aberdeen Proving Grounds to undergo MOS training as a small arms repairer. Corporal Hayes graduated, as honor graduate again, in March of 2007 with the MOS designation of 2111. In March of 2007 Corporal Hayes returned to 1st Battalion, 10th Marines, 2d Marine Division where he briefly served as an armorer before receiving orders. In June of 2007, now Corporal Hayes executed orders to Weapons & Field Training Battalion, Parris Island, South Carolina, where he served as a combat marksmanship coach and later as a primary marksmanship instructor teaching recruits.
 
In August of 2009 he reported to 2d Tank Battalion, 2d Marine Division where he served as the armory chief. In August of 2010 he reported to 2d Battalion, 8th Marines, 2d Marine Division, during which time he served as the ordnance chief and deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from January 2011 to July 2011 and again from April 2013 to September 2013. In February of 2014, Staff Sergeant Hayes detached from 2d Battalion, 8th Marines and proceeded to report to Marine Corps Detachment, Fort Lee, Virginia. From March of 2014 to March of 2017, Staff Sergeant Hayes served as a formal school instructor for the MOS 2111.
 
In March of 2017, Staff Sergeant Hayes reported to Marine Raider Regiment to serve as the regimental armory chief.  He was promoted to the rank of gunnery sergeant on 1 July 2017. In July of 2017, Gunnery Sergeant Hayes reported for duty with Information Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force to serve as the armory chief. Gunnery Sergeant Hayes served as the armory chief for both Support Battalion II MEF and Information Group II MEF until January 2020, at which point he assumed the billet of company first sergeant for Support Battalion II MEF, which supported both the II MEF Command Element and 2d MEB Command Element. 
 
Gunnery Sergeant Hayes reported to the College of Enlisted Military Education, Marine Corps University in July 2020, to serve as a curriculum developer. After being selected to the rank of first sergeant, First Sergeant Hayes reported to Company B, Marine Barracks Washington in March 2021 where he served as the Company First Sergeant, until March 2022, when he moved to H&S Company until May 2023. In June 2023, First Sergeant Hayes reported to Inspector-Instructor staff, Echo Company, 2d Battalion, 25th Marines in Harrisburg Pennsylvania to serve as the Unit Senior Enlisted Leader and currently serves in this position. 
 
First Sergeant Hayes has a Bachelor's Degree in Security Management and a Master's Degree in National Security Studies. 
 
First Sergeant Hayes’ personal decorations include a Meritorious Service Medal, Navy/ Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/ 2 gold stars in lieu of third award, Navy/ Marine Corps Achievement Medal w/ 1 silver star in lieu of sixth award, and a Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.