CSM John K. Hernandez enlisted in the Oklahoma Army National Guard while still in high school as a split option trainee. He completed Basic Combat Training in 1993 and attended Advance Individual Training (AIT) the following year at Fort Lee, Virginia, where he qualified as a 76Y, Unit Supply Specialist. He then attended the U.S. Army CBRN school where he acquired the 74D MOS as a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Specialist (CBRN).
CSM Hernandez has served in the Oklahoma Army National Guard (OKARNG) for his entire career from 1993 to present. His previous assignments include Detachment 1 HHC 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT), HHC 45th IBCT, HHD 345th Combat Sustainment Support Brigade (CSSB), Company A 700 Brigade Support Battalion; Company First Sergeant, 2-245th AVN BN; Company First Sergeant and HHC Joint Force Headquarters (JFHQ) as the State G4 SGM, until his appointment and current assignment as the 15th State Command Sergeant Major of the Oklahoma Army National Guard. His deployments include Afghanistan in 2003, New Orleans/Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Iraq in 2008 as well as numerous State Active-Duty tours in support of Disaster Recovery Missions.
His military education and training include his Initial Entry Training, 2 MOSQ schools, the Primary, Advanced and Senior Leader courses, U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy (Class 44), U.S. Army Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Course, Small Arms Instructor’s Course, Support Operations Course, State Ammunition Managers Course, NATO Ammunition Manager’s Course, and the Training Officer/Operation’s Officer’s Course.
CSM John K Hernandez Graduated from Geary High School in Geary, Oklahoma in 1994, before attending Southwest Kansas University in Winfield, Kansas.