Following MEDEX graduation from Yakima Class 7 in 2002, Dan was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Public Health Service. He was assigned to the Division of Immigration Health Services and practiced for three years at the Port Isabel, Texas Detention Center.

In June of 2006, he was transferred to DIHS Special Operations at U.S. Coast Guard Sector Key West where he conducted at-sea triage and treatment of interdicted and rescued Cuban and Haitian migrants. For his exemplary performance in the Florida Straits, he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, a distinction usually reserved for more senior, field-grade officers.

Dan earned his Army Flight Surgeon wings and then executed an interservice transfer to the U.S. Army. During the Army’s Officer Basic Leadership Course (OBLC) at Fort Sam Houston, Dan was selected among 250 soldiers to receive the Lynch Leadership Award. In less than three months in the Army, he was presented with the Army Achievement Medal. Captain Hankes is now a member of the 1st Brigade Combat Team of the prestigious 82nd Airborne Division at Ft. Bragg, NC where he serves as Squadron PA for 3-73 Cavalry. His unit is scheduled to deploy to Iraq later this year.