MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- “How many of you are under the age of 25?”
Nearly every Marine raises a hand “I’ve been a grunt longer than most of you have been alive!”
Master Gunnery Sgt. Luis H. Hernandez, Senior Enlisted Advisor, Support Company, Marine Special Operations Support Group, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, is an infantryman with 26 years in the Marine Corps, has participated in more than a dozen deployments, and has been a member of every infantry regiment in 2nd Marine Division.
“He is a seasoned professional who always puts his Marines first,” said Capt. William J. Herron, Operations Officer, Support Company. “He is a firm but fair leader and he never glosses over the truth.”
According to Hernandez, his assignment to MARSOC will likely be his last before retirement, and he sees it as an opportunity to pass on his experience and expertise to America’s newest special operations forces and the next generation of Marines who are the future of the Corps.
Hernandez’ career as a Marine began at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in November1982. He was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Private First Class for being the company honor man in recruit training. Another meritorious promotion followed for his superior performance in infantry training and Lance Cpl. Hernandez then reported to 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force. After his time with 3/8,
Hernandez became a Marine Security Guard, which afforded him the opportunity to travel. His assignments as an MSG included Guatemala City, Guatemala and Beijing, China.
Hernandez uses his worldwide experience and personable nature when leading his Marines,” said Herron. “He is a mentor for all the Marines in the command no matter what their rank.”
After MSG duty, Hernandez moved on to separate tours of duty with 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines; 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines; 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines; and 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, all within 2nd Marine Division, II MEF. He also served tours with Marine Barracks 8th and I, Special Operations Training Group and 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade. Including MARSOC, Hernandez has spent almost his entire career contributing to the legacy of Camp Lejeune, a place he’s fond of.
“I love Camp Lejeune,” said Hernandez. “It’s got everything, I am able to be near my family and I love being near the water.”
Hernandez’ participation in several historically significant operations is proof of how Marines based at Camp Lejeune have played an integral role in protecting freedom in the United States and throughout the world.
According to Hernandez, he was part of the Multinational Peacekeeping Force in Beirut, Lebanon. Hernandez also participated in Operation Desert Storm and deployed three times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Despite all of Hernandez’ personal accomplishments and extensive traveling, he maintains his favorite memories and proudest moments were the times spent with his fellow Marines.
“The best times are when I get to see a young, scared Private First Class and years later, they are a hard-charging officer or staff non-commissioned officer,” said Hernandez.
It was his family and his sense of duty that initially brought him to the Marine Corps. He knew that since the United States allowed him and his family to flee Cuba in 1961 and live the American dream, it was time for him to do his part.
Today, it is that same sense of duty to the family he has made since he joined the Corps that keeps Hernandez motivated.
“I always knew in the back of my mind I wanted to be a Marine,” said Hernandez. “I knew that I wanted to join and pay back the country for what it gave me and my family.”
Hernandez takes great pride in the fact that he has been an infantryman for more than a quarter of a century and is confident he has done his part. He is not overly-concerned with his legacy.
“People either like me or hate me, there is no gray area,” said Hernandez. “But I’m a Marine through and through, and I will always look at everything from a grunt’s perspective.”