Commander Robert M. Hill was born and raised in Visalia, California. He graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. While at UCLA, he earned his commission through NROTC Unit Los Angeles Consortium’s Bruin Battalion and was designated a Submarine Officer.
Following completion of Navy Nuclear Power School in Orlando, Florida, Prototype Training in Charleston, South Carolina, and the Submarine Office Basic Course in Groton, Connecticut, Commander Hill reported to the BLUE crew of the OHIO-class ballistic missile submarine USS NEBRASKA (SSBN 739) homeported in Kings Bay, Georgia in July 1998. While onboard NEBRASKA, he served as the Electrical Assistant, the Chemistry and Radiological Controls Assistant, the Main Propulsion Assistant, and the Communications Officer and completed five Strategic Deterrent Patrols.
Following completion of the Submarine Officer Advanced Course in Groton, Connecticut, Commander Hill began his Department Head tour as the last Navigator/Operations Officer aboard the LOS ANGELES-class (LA-class) fast attack submarine USS PORTSMOUTH (SSN 707) homeported in San Diego, California in April 2004. Following operations in the Eastern Pacific and a homeport shift to Norfolk, Virginia, PORTSMOUTH was decommissioned several months later.
In October 2004, Commander Hill reported aboard the LA-class submarine USS LA JOLLA (SSN 701) homeported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii as Navigator/Operations Officer to continue his Department Head tour. While onboard, he supported operations with SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 1 and LA JOLLA’s deployment to the Western Pacific.
In December 2006, Commander Hill reported to the United States Pacific Command Joint Intelligence Operations Center located in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii as the Branch Chief of the Submarine Analysis Group.
Following completion of the Submarine Command Course, Commander Hill reported aboard the Improved LA-class submarine USS COLUMBUS (SSN 762) homeported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii as the Executive Office in June 2009. While onboard, he supported COLUMBUS’ deployment to the Western Pacific.
In May 2011, Commander Hill reported to the Submarine Development Squadron TWELVE Tactical Analysis Group (TAG) where he served as the representative to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. In this role, he was embedded in the Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet staff as the Tactical Development Officer for the Submarine Force in the Pacific. When the TAG became part of the newly-formed Undersea Warfighting Development Center, he stood up Detachment Pearl Harbor where he completed his tour as Officer in Charge.
In April 2017, Commander Hill reported as Executive Officer of Naval ROTC Unit Los Angeles Consortium and Vice Chair of the Naval Science Departments at UCLA and the University of Southern California (USC).
Commander Hill graduated with distinction from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California with a Master of Science degree in Engineering Acoustics in 2003. His personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Award (3), and other personal, campaign and service ribbons.