Hal served as a officer within the starfleet of the Galactic Empire and participated in the Galactic Civil War. As time progressed to the era of the First Order, Hal's former abilities became a thing of the past, and the commemorative armbands worn by squad leaders in the First Order's military displayed this officer's name written in Aurebesh. This rank insignia was seen on a First Order officer stationed on the vessel Finalizer, as well as the officers Nastia Unamo, Thanisson, Lank Paze, and Rumitar Shay.
The name Hal was initially seen on an armband worn by an unknown bridge officer on the Finalizer in the 2015 movie Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens, although the final letter is not visible. The cuff title received additional details in the companion reference book titled Star Wars: The Force Awakens: The Visual Dictionary. The name appears to be an homage to Hal, the son of Glyn Dillon, a costume designer involved in the production of Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens.