VICE COMMANDER

Lt Col Ruben A. Hernandez joined the Civil Air Patrol as a cadet in 1981 at the age of 13.  He joined the Moca High School Cadet Squadron (SER-PR-079, former 52079) and achieved the Mitchell and Amelia Earhart Awards. He completed Phase IV of the Cadet Program achieving the grade of cadet Lt Col and served as Cadet Squadron Commander of his unit.  In 1987, he attended the International Air Cadet Exchange (IACE) and in 1988 joined the Senior program as a 1Lt. 

Lt Col Hernandez progressed through the Senior Program to the grade of Captain and was appointed as the Moca High School Cadet Squadron Commander from August 2008 thru 2013.  He is qualified as a Skilled Evaluator / Instructor for Mission Observers, Mission Scanners, Ground Team Leaders and Ground Team members 1 thru 3. He has served as Communications Officer at the Squadron and Group level, Safety Officer, Health Services Officer and Emergency Services Officer.  In 2014, he transferred from the Puerto Rico Wing to the Southeast Region as the Southeast Region Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications. He has been an instructor for SLS, CLC, RCLS, RSC, Cadet Encampments and Puerto Rico Wing Conferences.  He also was the Director for the 2018 Southeast Region Staff College held in CROEM, Mayaguez, PR. 

He completed the Level 5 of the Senior program, obtaining the Gill Robb Award.  Currently, Lt Col Hernandez also holds Master ratings in Communications and Health Services and Senior ratings in Finance, Emergency Services and Program Development.   He also holds a Private Pilot Certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Lt Col Hernandez has a bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Puerto Rico and a Medical Doctor’s degree from the Universidad Central del Caribe in Bayamon, PR, followed by an Orthopadic Surgery specialty and two fellowships or subspecialties in Adult Reconstructive Surgery in Hip and Knee Surgery from Mercy Hospital in Miami, FL and Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.

Lt Col Hernandez awards and decorations include three Exceptional Service Awards, three Wing Commander’s Commendation Awards, three Achievement Awards, the Chuck Yeager Award, as well as other service awards.

Lt Col (Dr.) Hernandez is married to Dr. Glorimar Velazquez and has two daughters, Cristina and Carolina.