Upon graduation in 1969, Hobson received his officers commission into the United States Air Force and served in active duty capacity from 1969 - 1976 in the United Kingdom, Greece and at the Pentagon in Washington, DC. While serving in the Oklahoma National Guard, Hobson was deployed abroad in 1989, during the United States invasion of Panama resulting in the ouster of General Manuel Noriega. Later, Hobson attended and graduated from the United States Air War College receiving his graduate diploma. After thirty years of service in both active duty and reserve capacity, Hobson retired in 1999 at the rank of colonel (United States). Before his retirement, Col. Hobson served at Tinker Air Force Base and in the administration of National Guard Commander Major General Rita Aragon.