1st Sgt. Hawkins was born on a military installation in  Stuggart, Germany on February 17, 1961. 1st Sgt. Hawkins was raised in White County TN. and graduated from White County High School.

1st Sgt. Hawkins enlisted in the Tennessee National Guard in 1979 and completed boot-camp in 1980 at Fort Sill, OK. Upon graduation, 1st Sgt. Hawkins was classified as a 13B and 82C and continued these MOS's for the next 25 years.

From 1998 until unit closure in 2000, 1st Sgt. Hawkins was the Detachment First Sergeant based in Smithville, TN.

1st Sgt. Hawkins was deployed to Iraq from 2004 to 2005. Upon returning, he was assigned to the 777 Maintenance Detachment as it's 1st Sergeant.