Rhett A. Hernandez

Rhett A. Hernandez
Born	(1953-03-09) March 9, 1953 (age 72) Palmerton, Pennsylvania, U.S. [1]
Allegiance	United States
Branch	United States Army
Years of service	1976–2013 [2]
Rank	Lieutenant General [3]
Commands	United States Army Cyber Command United States Army Human Resources Command United States Military Training Mission in Saudi Arabia 4th Infantry Division Artillery
Awards	Army Distinguished Service Medal (2) Defense Superior Service Medal (2) Legion of Merit (2) Bronze Star Medal

Lieutenant General Rhett Anthony Hernandez (born March 9, 1953) ^[4] is a retired officer in the United States Army and the former commander of the United States Army Cyber Command, the Army's service component to United States Cyber Command. Hernandez assumed the position upon its activation at Fort Belvoir in Virginia, on October 10, 2010.

Early life and education

Hernandez was born in Palmerton, Pennsylvania, on March 9, 1953. Hernandez attended the University of Virginia, where he received a master's degree in systems engineering, and the National War College, where he received a master's degree in national security and strategic studies.

Military career

In 1976, Hernandez was commissioned into the United States Army as a Field Artillery officer upon graduation from the United States Military Academy. He held posts with several field artillery units and as a staff officer, including as Assistant G-3/5/7, Headquarters, Department of the Army, Chief, United States Military Training Mission in Saudi Arabia, and commander, United States Army Human Resources Command.

Hernandez commanded the United States Army Cyber Command from its creation on October 1, 2010, until he handed command over to Lieutenant General Edward C. Cardon on September 3, 2013. ^[5] He received a promotion to lieutenant general on March 25, 2011.

As head of Army Cyber Command, Hernandez was responsible for planning, coordinating, and integrating the network operations and defense of all United States Army networks. Hernandez was also tasked with conducting cyberspace operations in support of army operations through his command of approximately 21,000 soldiers and civilians. Hernandez oversaw a command that brought an unprecedented unity of effort and synchronization of all Army forces operating within the cyber domain. Under Hernandez, the command concentrated its efforts on operationalizing cyberspace and improving Army capabilities in the cyberspace domain. The command established the Army Cyber Operations and Integration Center collocating intelligence, operations, and signal staffs, together with a critical targeting function, and bringing a new synergy to Army cyberspace operations. Hernandez developed new doctrinal concepts for land-cyber operations; and identified the Army's capability requirements needed to fully operationalize the cyberspace domain and grow the Army's cyber force. He currently serves on the Board of Advisors of the Military Cyber Professionals Association (MCPA). ^[6]

Hernandez retired on September 4, 2013. ^[2]

Awards

Hernandez received the Army Distinguished Service Medal (2), Defense Superior Service Medal (2), the Legion of Merit (2), the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (5), the Army Commendation Medal (5), the Army Achievement Medal (2), the Combat Action Badge, the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge, and the Army Staff Identification Badge. ^[3]

References

1. Ahner, Terry (October 1, 2010). "Palmerton native to head Army Cyber Command" . Retrieved 2 January 2013.
2. AHNER, TERRY (21 September 2013). "Palmerton native retires from military". www.tnonline.com. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
3. "Biography". U.S. Army Cyber Command. Archived from the original on December 1, 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
4. "Register of Graduates and Former Cadets, United States Military Academy". 1986.
5. "Army Cyber Command hosts first change of command". Belvoir Eagle. 5 October 2013. Archived from the original on 28 December 2013. Retrieved 28 December 2013.
6. Board of Advisors, Military Cyber Professionals Association, http://public.milcyber.org/leadership/advisors