He reached the rank of sergeant prior to attending The Basic School at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, receiving his commission as a second lieutenant in June 1951.

Returning to the United States, he served at Headquarters, 5th Marine Corps Recruit Reserve District, Washington, D.C., and attended the Junior Course, Amphibious Warfare School, MCB Quantico.

From August 1970 to June 1971, he attended the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, and upon completing the course was transferred to Hawaii as Plans Officer, G-3 Operations and Training Officer and Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3 at Headquarters, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific.

Ordered to Headquarters Marine Corps, General Haebel assumed duty as Director Personnel Management Division on July 28, 1978.

He was promoted to major general on July 3, 1979, and assigned additional duty as Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower in September 1979.

Major General Haebel retired from the Marine Corps on June 20, 1987, after 42 years of active duty service.