Story by Staff Sgt. Chris Hubenthal
At a small pier, along the channel of an Air Force Base, a unit of Army mariners maintain and operate two Logistics Support Vessels. These Soldiers play a vital role in the movement of cargo, traversing sea lanes to move necessary assets to those who need them.
Spc. Jose Hernandez, 163rd Transportation Detachment, 545th Transportation Company, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, Special Troops Battalion, is one waterborne Soldier who operates in the Indo-Asia-Pacific’s maritime domain.
Hernandez enlisted in the Army out of San Antonio, Texas and attended Boot Camp in Fort Jackson, California in 2013, where he found out that he would proceed to Advanced Individual Training to become a watercraft engineer.
“I had no idea the Army had vessels,” Hernandez said. “I actually thought I was going to be working on little outboard motors that go on little boats. The next thing I know I’m going to AIT and they’re showing me ships and telling me ‘you might be working on [a Logistic Support Vessel]’ so it was actually a big eye opener.”
After completing AIT and learning more about his craft Hernandez decided to go a step further, pursuing other forms of education in engineering.
“I was interested because joining the Army I wanted a job that was going to allow me to further my experience if I get out into the civilian world. Something I will be able to take with me,” Hernandez said. “I’m going to school for mechanical engineering so this experience is going to help me in the future with my degree I’m trying to get. They want people with a degree but they also want someone who has experience so I feel that hopefully this is going to allow me to get the upper end.”
As Hernandez executes his day-to-day mission down in the LSV’s engine room, his efforts and character are noticed by his leadership. Chief Warrant Officer 3 Clinton Smith, 163rd Transportation Detachment’s commander, explained what Hernandez brings to the unit’s mission.
“The engineers are the most vital people on this ship,” Smith said. “As far as Spc. Hernandez, he’s an outstanding Soldier. He plays a pivotal role in doing daily preventative maintenance services and checks. He’s been very successful and we’re proud to have him as a member of our team and as our crew.”
The Indo-Asia-Pacific is the region most prone to natural disasters in the world but thanks to Soldiers like Hernandez and his crew mates, Smith said the Army can deliver what’s needed during humanitarian response and disaster relief efforts to the U.S. and its partner nations.
“It’s important to have these capabilities in the Pacific Region because you never know what’s going to happen,” Smith said. “To have these capabilities to move supplies, to move cargo, to move personnel, at a moment’s notice is very important… depending on the disaster and what’s required, we can move it and we can provide it.”
Even as Hernandez continues to grow as an engineer both on and off duty, he remembers how far his skills have come since enlisting and those who have supported him in reaching his goals.
“Before I joined I had no idea about any of this,” Hernandez said. “I didn’t know anything about engines, I didn’t know anything about generators, didn’t know how they functioned or what the actual purpose of it was. Going to school and then coming here and learning more from the officers I work under and the sergeants that I have in charge of me, they all taught me.”
One of Hernandez’s teachers is Sgt. 1st Class Tony Dasig, 163rd Transportation Detachment, who provides him direction in reaching his potential.
“Spc. Hernandez is one of the best watercraft engineers onboard the vessel,” Dasig said. “He likes the challenges and never hesitates when it comes to stepping up to new challenges. He is a fast learner and eager to learn more new skills. Spc. Hernandez performs well on his level. He also does a good job above his level. He will never let his teammates down, and is always a team player. All I can say is Spc. Hernandez is a hard worker and never hesitates to finish a complicated task.”
With a personal commitment to succeed and mentors above him dedicated to coaching his progress, Hernandez says his biggest supporters still remain the same.
“One reason why I joined the Army was because my family’s from Mexico, my mother, my father, no one in my family has ever joined any armed forces and I wanted to be the first one… so that was a big step for me and my family,” Hernandez said. “They’re just happy that I’m doing something with my life that will help me better my future.”
Hernandez continues to engineer his future while fueling the efforts of one of the Army’s largest powered watercraft, the LSV.
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Photo by Staff Sgt. Chris Hubenthal
Source: DVIDS
