Sergeant Major Benjamin D. Hernandez
Sergeant Major Hernandez is a native of Modesto, California. He enlisted in the Marine Corps on October 2, 1985. Upon completion of recruit training, MCRD, San Diego, CA in December 1985, Private Hernandez was assigned to Military Police School, Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX. In April 1986, Private First Class Hernandez was assigned to the Provost marshal office, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twenty-Nine Palms, CA where he performed duties as a Military Policeman.
In July 1988, Corporal Hernandez transferred to the Provost Marshal Office, Marine Corps Air Station, Iwakuni, Japan where he performed duties as Patrolman, Patrol Supervisor, Desk Sergeant and Watch Commander.
In August 1989, Corporal Hernandez was assigned to the Provost Marshal Office, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA where he performed duties as Patrol Supervisor, Desk Sergeant, and Watch Commander.
In March 1991 Corporal Hernandez was accepted to Drill Instructor School, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA. Upon graduation in June 1991, he was promoted tot he rank of Sergeant and was assigned to Charlie Company, First Recruit Training Battalion, where he served four cycles as a Drill Instructor and two cycles as a Senior Drill Instructor.
In June 1993, Sergeant Hernandez was selected for assignment to Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1), Marine Corps Air Facility, Quantico, VA where he performed duties as Squad leader, Platoon Sergeant, Platoon Commander, and Training Chief. He also performed duties as Security Detachment Officer for various Presidential Support Missions.
In July 1996, Staff Sergeant Hernandez reported to Military Police Company, First Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA where he performed duties as Platoon Commander, Company Gunnery Sergeant, and Company First Sergeant.
In August 2000, Gunnery Sergeant Hernandez reported to Military Corps Systems Command, non-Lethal Weapons/Urban Operations, Quantico, VA where he performed duties as Project Officer for Non-Lethal Weapons/Civil Disturbance/Urban Operations.
In May 2001 - August 2001 Gunnery Sergeant Hernandez was assigned to Charlie Company, Officer Candidate School, Quantico, VA where he performed duties as a Drill Instructor for the Summer Augment Program.
In April 2002, Gunnery Sergeant Hernandez was promoted to the rank of First Sergeant, and received orders to Echo Company, Officer Candidate School, Quantico, VA where he performed duties as the Company First Sergeant for the Senior Platoon Leaders program.
In November 2002, First Sergeant Hernandez was assigned to First Maintenence Battalion, First Marine Logistics Group, Camp Pendleton CA where he performed duties as the Company First Sergeant, and deployed to Kuwait and Iraq, where he participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom I and II.
In September 2004, First Sergeant Hernandez was assigned as the Sergeant Major, Combat Logistics Battalion 13, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) where he completed a successful deployment to Iraq and the U.S. Central Command, Area of Operations.
In June 2006, Sergeant Major Hernandez was assigned to 6th Engineer Support Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group where he performed duties as the Inspector-Instructor Sergeant Major.
In September 2008, Sergeant Major Hernandez was assigned to Headquarters and Service Battalion, MCB Quantico, VA where he performed duties as the Battalion Sergeant Major.
Sergeant Major Hernandez assumed his current position as the Inspector-Instructor Sergeant Major for 23D Marine Regiment, San Bruno, CA in June 2011.
Sergeant Major Hernandez' personal decorations include: The Meritorious Service Medal with one gold star, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two gold stars, the Presidential Service Badge, Combat Action Ribbon and the Drill Instructor Ribbon. He holds an Associate of Science Degree with a Major in General Studies (Magna Cum Laude) from Northern Virginia Community College. He is also a graduate of the 207th Session of the FBI National Academy and has also completed the Senior Enlisted Joint PME course.
Sergeant Major Hernandez is married to the former Staci Noell Hefner of Modesto, California, they have two sons and a daughter.