Photo By Keith Hayes | Sergeant Rudy Hernandez, fuel accountant technician, S-4 Supply, is the...... read more read more
Sergeant Rudy Hernandez is the Noncommissioned Officer of the Quarter for the second quarter of 2018 at Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, Calif.
Hernandez, supply administrative clerk, fuel accountant, S-4 Logistics, joined the Marine Corps in July 2015 at the age of 17 with his parents’ permission.
“My parents’ reaction was mixed about me joining the Marine Corps,” Hernandez said. “It took a lot of convincing to get my mother to sign the papers to let me in the Corps at 17.”
The Houston native went through boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego and then Marine Combat Training at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif.
“I was stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma Okinawa, Japan, for my first duty station as a supply administrative clerk with Marine Air Support Squadron 2,” Hernandez said. “Okinawa was my first choice because I love Japanese culture and going overseas was one thing I always wanted to do.”
Hernandez credits the NCO leadership at MASS2 for giving him chances to participate in meritorious promotion boards and allowing him to take online courses and work outside of his military occupational specialty of supply.
“In Okinawa, I had a lot of responsibilities in accounting, property and disposition services,” he said. “It actually rounded me out a great deal.”
Following Okinawa Cpl. Hernandez was stationed at MCLB Barstow where he was promoted to sergeant June 2.
“I was excited about coming to MCLB Barstow because I wanted to go to the West Coast,” Hernandez said. “I didn’t know much about the base, but I’m not a partying kind of person, so it really didn’t bother me that I was in the middle of what felt like nowhere. But since I’ve been here, I realize that I’m only two hours from Las Vegas, Los Angeles, the mountains, or the beaches.”
His work ethic, attention to detail and drive to succeed impressed the chief of Supply, Master Sgt. Everis Wallace, who put him up for NCO of the Quarter consideration.
“From the moment that young Marine stepped on deck, he was not told what to do, he just had the initiative and drive to accomplish his tasks with minimum supervision or instruction,” Wallace said. “He has qualities that the junior Marines can look up to. Sergeant Hernandez was the only clear choice for the NCO of the Quarter.”
“I can absolutely tell you that if that young devil dog plans to stick around the Marine Corps,” Wallace continued, “I can see him being either a master gunnery sergeant or sergeant major. If he keeps the same drive that he has now, he’s not going to have many problems.”
Hernandez is a Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructor, and pursues the discipline as a hobby as well.
“I believe that going through the MAI course attests to my character and shows my ability to persevere and push through a very tough course,” Hernandez said.
He also likes to draw and is working on improving his technique during his tenure at MCLBB.
Hernandez believes his work ethic, willingness to learn, and leading by example are the major reasons he was selected as NCO of the Quarter.
“I believe that however good a game a person may talk, leading by example is the best way to inspire young Marines,” the sergeant said. “I lead with my actions. I’ve never felt the need to be boastful because I let what I do speak for me.
| Date Taken: | 08.09.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 08.09.2018 12:44 |
| Story ID: | 287977 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE BARSTOW, CA, US |
| Hometown: | HOUSTON, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 110 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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