Rhett A. Hernandez

Lieutenant General Rhett A. Hernandez is a senior officer in the United States Army and the former commander of the Second United States Army (also known as United States Army Cyber Command which is the Army’s service component to U.S. Cyber Command). Hernandez assumed the position upon its activation with the reactivation of the Second Army on October 10, 2010, as a major general where he would be promoted to lieutenant general on March 25, 2011. As head of the Second Army, Hernandez is responsible for planning, coordinating, and integrating the network operations and defense of all US Army networks. Hernandez is also tasked with conducting cyberspace operations in support of Army operations through his command of approximately 21,000 soldiers and civilians.

Military career
Hernandez was commissioned in 1976 as an Artillery officer upon graduation from the United States Military Academy. During his tenure, he has held posts with numerous artillery units as well as a number of staff officer positions. Prior to being assigned to Second Army, Hernandez commanded the United States Military Training Mission in Saudi Arabia as well as the US Army Human Resources Command. Hernandez was placed in command of Second Army as the command was reactivated after being inactive from 1995 to 2010 to be utilized as the Army’s service component to U.S. Cyber Command. Hernandez also attended the University of Virginia where he received a masters degree in systems engineering and from the National War College where he received a masters degree in national security and strategic studies.

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.