Senior Chief Petty Officer Nathan Hernandez has been named the new instructor of the NJROTC program at Washington High School for the 2023-24 school year.
Hernandez replaces Master Sergeant Tim Gates, who will retire following the 2022-23 school year.
Hernandez currently is the NJROTC instructor at Riverview Gardens High School in St. Louis, a position he has held for 10 years.
“I’m really excited about this opportunity at Washington. I’m a little nervous, but that’s only natural when you’re going to a new place. I can’t wait to get started. I wish I could start right away,” Hernandez said. “I’ve been friends with Tim for the last six years that he’s been at Washington. I knew if that position at Washington ever became available, I would be very much interested. The Washington program has excellent community support. It’s a smaller unit with a chance for more one-on-one, personal instruction. At Riverview Gardens, we have over 300 cadets and two instructors. At one point, we had over 600 cadets. It will be nice to lead a smaller unit in Washington.”
Hernandez and Gates have gotten to know each other since Gates took over the WHS program six years ago.
“Senior Chief Petty Officer Nate Hernandez is an extremely charismatic leader. He likes cadets, knows the program is about cadets, and is an exemplary role model for cadets,” Gates said. “What I like most about him is the level of integrity he brings to the program, as well as his work ethic. He is very approachable from a cadet's perspective and full of knowledge. I know he will continue to improve the program. He is a high-energy leader and will motivate the cadets to do more than they believe they are capable of achieving.”
“Washington High School is excited to welcome Chief Petty Officer Nathan Hernandez to the role of NJROTC instructor,” said WHS Principal Dr. Kelle McCallum. “Mr. Hernandez brings to our campus numerous years of NJROTC experience. His leadership, dedication to students, and program knowledge will be essential to our continued success.”
Hernandez was raised in Texas. He attended high school in Roswell, New Mexico. He joined the Navy immediately upon completing high school and retired 26 years later after traveling the world. He had many responsibilities while serving in the Navy. He was a drill sergeant for five years, worked in a naval hospital for six years, worked with the military police, and worked on six different ships.
Hernandez started his career with the NJROTC program at Riverview Gardens in 2013 following his retirement from the Navy.
“I’ve always been a teacher, even in the Navy as a sergeant. I’ve always enjoyed teaching. Seeing the light bulb come on for my students is what really makes it worth it,” Hernandez said. “I always knew I wanted to be a teacher. My mom was a Sunday school teacher and my dad was a Baptist Minister. Standing in front of people and teaching comes natural to me.”
Hernandez is anxious to join the WHS staff.
“My concentration is drill – riffle spinning and showing off the cadets marching. I’m excited to teach what I know to the cadets,” Hernandez said. “We will keep the marksmanship principles going that the cadets already have at Washington.”
Nathan and his wife, Jamie, together have nine children in their blended family ranging in ages from 14 to 30. His hobbies include a wide variety of sports, working on his cars, riding his motorcycle, and camping with his family.
Tim Gates Retiring
MSGT Gates has been the NJROTC instructor at Washington High School for six years.
“I've truly enjoyed my time here at Washington. My wife, Terri, and I, have met so many people who have welcomed us,” Gates said. “Washington is a unique community. In all of my travels around the United States, I have never lived anywhere where the community supports each other the way they do here. I had more money donated to the program in my first year here than I did in my previous 15 years combined. And it didn't stop there. Each year, the citizens of Washington stepped up and supported the Military Ball and our beef raffle, and provided funds for purchasing air rifles and associated gear. We had everything we needed to be a successful program.”
Senior Chief Nathan Hernandez will take over the NJROTC program at Washington High School beginning in the 2023-24 school year.
Master Sergeant Tim Gates, Washington High School NJROTC instructor, will retire following the 2022-23 school year.