Years of service 1976–present | Name Rhett Hernandez Rank Lieutenant General | |
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Awards Distinguished Service Medal (one oak leaf cluster)
Defense Superior Service Medal (one oak leaf cluster)
Legion of Merit (one oak leaf cluster)
Bronze Star
Meritorious Service Medal (four oak leaf clusters)
Army Commendation Medal (four oak leaf clusters)
Army Achievement Medal (one oak leaf cluster) Commands held United States Army Cyber Command | ||
Service/branch United States Army Allegiance United States of America | ||
Maj gen rhett a hernandez
Lieutenant General Rhett A. Hernandez is a retired officer in the United States Army and the former commander of the United States Army Cyber Command which is the Army’s service component to U.S. Cyber Command. Hernandez, as a major general, assumed the position upon its activation (which included the command receiving and perpetuating the lineage and honors of the former Second United States Army) on October 10, 2010, with its headquarters at Fort Belvoir Virginia. He received a promotion to lieutenant general on March 25, 2011. As head of US Army Cyber Command, Hernandez was responsible for planning, coordinating, and integrating the network operations and defense of all US Army networks. Hernandez also was 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. As a first step, 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. To improve the Army’s cyber capabilities the command fielded a World Class Cyber Opposing Force at the National Training Center; 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).
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Military career
Hernandez was commissioned in 1976 as a Field Artillery officer upon graduation from the United States Military Academy. During his career, he held posts with numerous field artillery units as well as a number of staff officer positions. Prior to being assigned to US Army Cyber Command, Hernandez was the Assistant G-3/5/7, Headquarters, Department of the Army; the Chief, United States Military Training Mission in Saudi Arabia; and the Commander, US Army Human Resources Command. Hernandez also attended the University of Virginia where he received a master's degree in Systems Engineering and he attended the National War College where he received a master's degree in National Security and Strategic Studies.
He commanded the United States Army Cyber Command from its creation on October 1, 2010, till he handed command over to Lt. Gen. Edward C. Cardon on September 3, 2013. Hernandez retired on September 4, 2013.
Awards
Since receiving his commission, Hernandez has received the Distinguished Service Medal (2), Defense Superior Service Medal (2), the Legion of Merit (2), the Bronze Star, 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.