Official Biography

Douglas J. Hardee is a native of Charleston, South Carolina. He enlisted in October 2003 and underwent recruit training with Company A, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island.

In February 2004, Private First Class Hardee completed Marine Combat Training aboard Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He was promoted to Lance Corporal in May of 2004. In October 2004, he completed the Armed Forces School of Music. He was then ordered to the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Band in 29 Palms, California for duty as a percussionist, serving as an administrator and acting drum major. He was promoted to Corporal in January 2005 and Sergeant in January 2007.

Sergeant Hardee transferred to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island in October 2008 for duty with the Parris Island Marine Band as a percussionist, serving as transportation chief, percussion section leader, and acting drum major. He was promoted to Staff Sergeant in April 2010.

Staff Sergeant Hardee reported to Marine Corps Embassy Security Group (MCESG) in January 2012 for instruction as a student Detachment Commander. He graduated from the course in February of that same year. He received orders to the American Embassy in Algiers, Algeria for duty as a Marine Security Guard (MSG) Detachment Commander in March 2012 and to the American Embassy in Hanoi, Vietnam for duty as a Detachment Commander in August 2013.

Staff Sergeant Hardee was chosen to serve with the Joint Staff Security Office on the Joint Staff at The Pentagon in February 2015. He executed orders in March of that same year and was assigned as Charlie Team Leader, Joint Staff Military Security Force where he and his team provided physical security services to the National Military Command Center, Joint Staff office spaces, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Staff Sergeant Hardee received orders to the Quantico Marine Corps Band in Quantico, Virginia in August 2012 after a successful tour with the Joint Staff. He served in multiple billets to include acting bandmaster/SNCOIC; operations, training, and administrative chief; percussion group leader; and acting drum major. He was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant in July 2017.

Gunnery Sergeant Hardee received orders to MCESG in March 2020 as a student Detachment Commander. He graduated the course in May 2020 and received orders to the United States Consulate General in Matamoros, Mexico where he served as the Detachment Commander. Gunnery Sergeant Hardee received orders to the Marine Security Guard Training Center in Quantico, Virginia in July 2021 and departed Matamoros in that same month. He joined the Instructor/Advisor team in August 2021. After a successful instructor tour, he received orders to Vienna, Austria, arriving to post in October 2022.

In June 2024 after a successful tour in Vienna, Gunnery Sergeant Hardee received orders to the Naval School of Music as the Marine Detachment Gunnery Sergeant. He was promoted to his current rank in January 2025.

Master Sergeant Hardee is married to Nicole D. Bright-Hardee of The Bronx, New York. Together they have two daughters, Asia and Ariah. He holds a bachelor’s degree in social psychology from Park University. His personal awards include the Joint Staff Commendation Medal, Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star, Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal with gold star, and the Marine Security Guard Ribbon with two bronze stars. Master Sergeant Hardee is authorized to wear the Joint Staff Identification Badge.