This is not the first time the colonel has served with the 50th. Prior to taking command, Col. Hines was the commander of the 5th Squadron, 117th Cavalry that is assigned to the 50th Armored Brigade. He also served as the brigade's executive officer from 1995 to 1999.

Col. Hines will command more than two-thirds of the New Jersey Army National Guard. The 50th Armored Brigade includes units from Atlantic City, Burlington, Cherry Hill, Dover, Fort Dix, Freehold, Hackettstown, Jersey City, Lawrenceville, Morristown, Mount Holly, Newark, Newton, Port Murray, Riverdale, Toms River, Vineland, West Orange, Woodbridge, Woodbury, and Woodstown. The 50th is comprised of the 2nd Battalion, 102nd Armor; the 2nd Battalion, 113th Infantry; 3rd Battalion, 112th Field Artillery; the 1st Battalion, 114th Infantry, and the 5th Squadron, 117th Cavalry.

Col. Hines was born in Philadelphia on August 10, 1952. After serving for four years in the Navy, he enlisted in the New Jersey Army National Guard in 1971. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant after graduating from the New Jersey Military Academy, Officer Candidate School in 1974. Col. Hines has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Administration from Roger Williams University. He has graduated from the Infantry Officer Basic Branch Qualification Course; the Armor Officer Advanced Course; the Command and General Staff College, the Army Force Management Resident Course; the Army Mobilization and Deployment Resident Planning Course, the Armor/Cavalry Pre-Command Course, and the United States Army War College.

His previous military assignments include rifle platoon leader, mortar platoon leader, tactical intelligence officer, administrative officer, and Commander, Headquarters Company 1st Battalion, 114th Infantry. Col. Hines also served as the state marksmanship coordinator and the training branch chief in Plans, Operations, and Training Office, Military Support Directorate, Headquarters State Area Command at Fort Dix.

Col. Hines has received numerous awards during his career including the Meritorious Service Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with one Silver Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with one Hour Glass Device, Army Service Ribbon, Navy Achievement Medal, Navy Good Conduct Medal, Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal, New Jersey Commendation Medal, New Jersey Medal of Honor, New Jersey Good Conduct Medal, New Jersey Merit Award, and the New Jersey State Service Ribbon.