CAPT Maribelle Hernandez
- Position: Recruiting Officer, AFROTC Instructor
- Department: Aerospace Studies - Air Force ROTC
- Office Location: Building 78, Room 118
- mhernandez3@uwf.edu
- Campus: 850.473.7273
Biography
Capt. Maribelle Hernandez serves as an Associate Professor of Aerospace Studies and Recruiting Officer for the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) at the University of West Florida, Detachment 014, for 160 future Air Force leaders. She delivers comprehensive instruction in leadership, military science, and aerospace studies to cadets in the AFROTC program.
Capt Hernandez mentors and evaluates cadets, guiding them to enhance their personal and professional development in preparation for commissioning as officers. Additionally, she coordinates and executes training exercises, physical fitness programs, and field training events to ensure cadets meet rigorous Air Force standards. Moreover, Capt Hernandez oversees and manages recruiting efforts, ensuring the selection and retention of high-quality candidates for the AFROTC program.
Previously, she was the Branch Chief of Assignments and Special Programs for the Air Force Special Operations Command.
Capt. Hernandez enlisted in the Air Force in March 2006. She pursued her dream by commissioning as a Force Support Officer through the Air Force Senior Leader Enlisted Commissioning Program in 2019. Capt Hernandez has held a variety of positions throughout her career. She has been deployed once in support of Operation ENDURING SENTINAL. Her assignments have taken her to Texas, Italy, Virginia, and Florida.
Education
2006 Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, Texas
2006 Health Services Management Apprentice Course, Sheppard AFB, Texas
2010 Airman Leadership School, Lackland AFB, Texas
2011 Manpower Apprentice Course, Keesler AFB, Mississippi
2012 Associates of Applied Science Degree in Health Care Management, Community College of the Air Force
2012 Associates of Applied Science Degree in Human Resource Management, Community College of the Air Force
2014 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Correspondence Course
2015 U.S. Air Force Green Belt Facilitator Course, Kapaun Air Station, Germany
2015 Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, Kapaun Air Station, Germany
2016 U.S. Air Force Black Belt Facilitator Course, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2017 U.S. Air Force Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy Basic Correspondence Course
2018 Bachelor of Science in Management, University of Maryland University College, Maryland
2019 U.S. Air Force Officer Training School, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2019 Initial Force Support Officer Course, Keesler AFB, Mississippi
Assignments
1. March - September 2019, Chief, Military Personnel Flight Customer Support, 1st Special Operations Force Support
Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Florida
2. September 2019 - March 2020, Section Commander, 1st Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Hurlburt
Field, Florida
3. March 2020 - May 2021, Director, Continuous Process Improvement, 1st Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field,
Florida
4. May 2021- July 2022, Executive Officer, Air Force Special Operations Command, A1 Directorate of Manpower,
Personnel & Services, Hurlburt Field, FL
5. Aug 2022 - June 2024, Chief, Command Assignments & Special Programs, Air Force Special Operations Command,
A1 Directorate of Manpower, Personnel & Services, Hurlburt Field, FL
6. October 2023 – May 2023, Director, J1 Personnel, Readiness & Manpower, Office of the Defense Representative –
Pakistan, U.S. Embassy, Islamabad, Pakistan
7. June 2024 – Present, Associate Professor/Recruiting Officer, AFROTC Det 014, University of West Florida,
Pensacola, FL
Major Awards And Decorations
Meritorious Service Medal
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
Basic Military Training Honor Graduate
Effective Dates Of Promotion
Airman Basic 7 March 2006
Airman 7 September 2006
Airman First Class 7 July 2007
Senior Airman 7 September 2008
Staff Sergeant 1 July 2010
Technical Sergeant 1 July 2013
Master Sergeant 1 July 2016
Second Lieutenant 15 March 2019
First Lieutenant 15 March 2021
Captain 15 March 2023