How I Roll
Chris Hernandez: About Me (and this site)
A little bit more about my background: I was a lazy and unmotivated high school student, and got horrible grades in almost every class. Most of my classmates had plans to attend prestigious universities and go on to high-paying careers; many of them did just that. My aspirations were to get out of high school and never go to another school again, join the Marines and spend the rest of my life in combat or training for it. I didn’t concern myself with minor details of life, like how to make enough money to support a family. All I wanted was to someday be with a Marine infantry platoon, laying in the mud behind a machine gun, waiting for the enemy to attack. If the Marines around me trusted that I would do my job, and if I held my ground under fire, then as far as I was concerned my life was a success. Even if I died behind that machine gun.
Three weeks after high school I was in Marine boot camp. On my 18th birthday I was too busy throwing hand grenades to celebrate. When I graduated basic, I could almost see that muddy machine gun position out there somewhere, just waiting for me to lovingly wrap my fingers around the pistol grip and pull the stock into my shoulder. My Marine Corps life would be a grand adventure. My teens, twenties and thirties would be a replay of all the cool parts of Belleau Wood, Iwo Jima and Hue City. The Corps would be my happy home and provide me with everything I needed for at least 40 years. In my golden years I would be a wise old sage, tutoring young warriors.
Of course, it didn’t happen that way. Civilians might be surprised to hear my plans didn’t work out. Veterans are probably doubled over laughing right now.
To make a long story short, here’s what happened: I was 17 when I joined and needed my parents’ consent, so they made me join the reserves. I thought I was joining to be an infantryman, but I didn’t realize until after I swore in that my job would be weapons repair (curse you for taking advantage of a gullible kid, Gunny H). I spent 6 years in the Marine Reserve as a support guy and did basically nothing. I watched Desert Storm on TV and listened to stories about Panama and Somalia from guys who had been there. In 1995 I finished my enlistment, my pride at being a Marine mixed with disappointment at what I had actually accomplished.
That same year I joined the Army National Guard. I spent years serving as a tank crewman, then went to Iraq in 2005 and never got in a tank. My entire deployment was dedicated to escorting supply convoys. There were moments of terror, long stretches of boredom and frustration, and a few close calls. I came home and eventually volunteered to go to Afghanistan with a different unit. And that’s where I finally, after 20 years in the military, found myself behind a machine gun, surrounded by fellow Marines and Soldiers, waiting for the enemy to attack. The machine gun was on a humvee and I wasn’t drenched in mud, but no matter. Later, after a particularly rough firefight, a young Marine infantryman made a profound comment about something I did during the battle: “That was good s**t.” That comment was worth more than any medal I could have been awarded. And it told me I had finally achieved my life’s goal. I had stood my ground in combat.
Of course, a few other things happened to me in the intervening years between the beginning of Marine boot camp and the end of my Army tour in Afghanistan. I spent two whole years in community college but didn’t get a degree (I make sure to bring up my vast educational experience every time I use a big word like “correlation” in conversation). I got married to a beautiful, curvy, surprisingly fertile woman who has two bachelor’s degrees and poor taste in spouses. I became a cop. I moved with my family to several different cities. I became a young father, then a slightly older father of two kids, then an older father of three. Three days after I arrived in Afghanistan I broke down in front of a group of soldiers I didn’t know when I was informed my wife had given birth to our fourth child, the only one of our children whose birth I didn’t attend. I spent 18 months working for the UN police in Kosovo. I wandered the woods of East Texas for two weeks with thousands of other soldiers, searching for fallen astronauts and wreckage from the space shuttle Columbia. At work I was in fights, pursuits, and countless high-stress incidents. I wandered around St. Petersburg, Russia, trying to control my spastic lower intestine. I got in a tug of war over a roll of concertina wire with an old Albanian man in Prishtina. I watched in awe as Apache helicopters blasted enemy positions with missiles and gunfire a few hundred meters from me in Afghanistan. Outside of Baghdad I was stunned to see the night air around my humvee suddenly turn orange as a roadside bomb blew up a truck 25 meters from us. I developed a deployment-long fear of helicopters after a Chinook I was in almost crashed on landing. Back home I arrested a murderess who I’m pretty sure committed a minor act of cannibalism in the back of my patrol car. I just missed being shot by a Taliban machine gunner while sticking my upper body out of a French armored vehicle.
In other words, I lived a life that’s given me tons of subject matter to write about.
I didn’t write a book because I expect it to make me rich. Getting rich hasn’t been my life’s goal. I decided to write a book because what I experienced in Afghanistan was something I had to express, and once I decided to write a story, that was it. I was committed. Proof of Our Resolve is part 1 of the story I felt compelled to write. It’s my attempt to convey some of what I experienced through a fictional platform. And it’s my contribution to what I hope will be a widespread effort by veteran writers to dispel some of the nonsense floating around about combat and combat vets. In future posts, I’ll delve further into specifics about that nonsense.
If you’ve managed to read this entire post, thank you for your time and interest. I hope you’ll take a gander at my book , and return to read future posts. And most of all, I hope I manage through my writing to open a window into what I’ve lived, what I’ve imagined, and what kind of thoughts are kicking around in my head.
-Chris
Thoughts on Blogging
So my blogging mentor told me I need to create a posting schedule. At least once a week I should post something interesting for my vast fan base, which I think has increased 100% to two subscribers. After being advised of this posting requirement, I gave the topic quite a bit of thought. My first question was, “why would anyone take the time to read my worthless thoughts every week?” But apparently some people want to know about the whole writing process, and are willing to read the thoughts and experiences of an aspiring writer. So if there are people willing to read what I write, then I’m willing to write something for them.
But I don’t want to waste anyone’s time. It seems to me that if people are going to use their limited personal time to read my posts, then my posts better be worth it. With this in mind, I’ve created a list of rules and guiding principles for my posts:
1) I’m nobody special, haven’t accomplished anything really noteworthy yet and ain’t no expert on nuthin’. Accordingly, I will not talk down to anyone, because I’m in no position to do so. My writing isn’t a gift to you, your interest in my writing is your gift to me. If I ever use this blog as a means to display arrogance or condescension, I ask that you please call shenanigans on me.
EDITED TO ADD: Well, since I keep getting attacked by conspiracy theorist idiots saying dumbass things like “A six year old crisis actor on Dr. Phil almost admitted Sandy Hook was a drill! WAKE UP, SHEEPLE!”, and I can’t stop myself from giving them the savage mockery they deserve, I guess I blew this rule.
2) I won’t use this blog to post worthless, inane comments about my personal life. Nobody cares what kind of music I like or what clothes I wear. The mundane details of my day to day activities don’t even interest me, much less anyone else. There will be no “Thank god its Friday!” or “Eating at Olive Garden!” posts on this blog.
3) Throughout my military and police careers I have known and respected a great many people who did not share my political or religious views. I’m generally conservative, a rabid political independent and a devout agnostic. I may have serious disagreements with someone, but that doesn’t mean I can’t respect them. Therefore there will be no hysterical “If you don’t agree with my opinions on politics/faith/the war/abortion/drug laws then you can’t be my friend!” drama on my blog.
4) I will not use this blog to post attacks on any political figure. I have done my best to keep partisan views out of my books and intend to do the same here. I will show respect for the President of the United States, even if I disagree with decisions he makes. I may post my political views, but will do so in a respectful manner.
EDITED TO ADD: Now that Trump and Hillary are running for president, I find it necessary to attack certain political figures. I still speak of the President with respect, however.
5) I promise to stay in my lane. If there is any particular strength to my writing, I think it comes from the fact that I write about what I know. I don’t write about brain surgery, gourmet cooking or health care because I know nothing about those subjects. To keep my posts relevant, I will write about personal experiences or subjects of which I have personal knowledge. If I do have to step out of my lane and venture into uncharted waters, I will acknowledge that fact.
6) I am not a spokesman for anyone but me. I do not represent any branch of the military or any law enforcement agency. I own any opinions I write and any mistakes I make.
7) I will do my best to stick to subjects I’m passionate about, just as I’ve done with my novels. Some subjects I intend to blog about are the writing world, public misconceptions about the war and combat veterans, the “PTSD business,” the difference between support for the military and pity for the troops, and my thoughts on the true definition of military leadership. I am very open to suggestions for blog topics.
8) I will do my best to respond to every comment, but I have a job and big family plus part-time military service, so I have limited personal time. I’m also still writing novels on the side. If I don’t respond, please don’t take it as an insult. I probably just missed it or got caught up in something else.
9) This blog isn’t anti-police, anti-government, or a place for people to vent all their anger and suspicions about any political party, federal government agency or elected representative. I welcome rational, intelligently presented dissenting opinions. This is a site where I hope reasonable people can calmly discuss important issues. It’s not a place for internet tough-guyism, veiled threats made from the anonymous safety of a computer, or expressions of support for any revolution. Because I love this country, the last thing I’ll ever advocate is warfare between citizens and any arm of the government. The vast majority of police officers, members of the military and American citizens are fantastic people. We as a nation are strong enough to correct problems, even those we’re facing today, with discussion instead of violence.
I think that covers it, although I’m sure I’ll think of another ten rules as soon as I hit “publish.” My current plan is to write a blog post every Monday. To keep me from running out of material too quickly, I’ll probably alternate between opinion posts, war stories, and cop stories.
Remember I’m brand new to this, and may be totally off on these ideas. To be honest, the idea of writing a blog intimidates me. I’m scared. Hold me! Seriously, If anyone has good ideas on how I should run this blog, I’m all ears.
Thank you again for reading this. Once again, I hope my writing justifies your interest.
-Chris
chrishernandezauthor 
You’ve got a pretty good mentor! 😀
Fiona,
I have a fantastic mentor!
Loving the posts, Chris. Informative and very thought provoking, to steal a phrase from a previous commentor. You have a good mentor. 😀
Hi Chris,
Writing is tough work. Thanks for sharing your perspective. Like most folks we probably agree on some stuff and disagree on others. But I really like the attitude and tone of your writing.
Thanks again for sharing it,
Don
Don,
I appreciate that. I’m pretty opinionated, and don’t think there’s anyone anywhere who would agree with me on everything. I have many close friends I argue with constantly. I’m always up for a good debate, so please, anytime you see me write something that irks you, call me out on it.
Chris
Chris, you really can write well, and you have the virtue of humility. To me, that’s what makes for a good blogger. BTW, you’re the first cop blogger I have ever bookmarked.
Thanks for your efforts.
Just today I was just today provided a link to one of your articles – you have more sense about the realities of life and how things work than any elected official at the federal/state/local level that I know. I can only hope and pray that common sense wins out in the end. Thank you for very straight-forward and thought provoking essays. New kindle might soon have your book in my list of reads.
SJ,
Thanks! Please feel free to give me your feedback on any of my posts, I’m always open to criticism or new ideas. If you do buy my book, please let me know what you think. Happy holidays and I hope to see you comment here again.
Chris
Chris, I found your blog. I’m looking foward to reading what strikes you as interesting, as I predict it will interest me as well. Charlie Mike.
Charlie Mike, brother!
Chris
hey chris, just found your blog from a link at broomsticks, gread writing very interesting stuff, what dept. do you work for?
joe
Johnson county, texas
Joe,
I try not to say what agency I work for in my writing or in interviews, because I don’t represent my department and my writing should only reflect my opinions. I usually just say I work for a department in SE Texas. But it’s not too hard to find out who I work for, if you check out my “in the media” page. Maybe I should remove that link…
Before I came to this department I worked for two tiny departments near Victoria, so I’ve experienced police work in a 10 man rural dept and in a huge dept. Sometimes being a small town cop was harder than being a big city cop.
Thanks for reading and commenting, and stay safe out there. Please come back and comment anytime.
Chris
Very wise decision! Connecting yourself to your agency in an unofficial forum like this is a great recipe for unemployment! By the way, I was told to keep a weekly schedule for writing too, but I haven’t managed to do that yet. Now that I’m reading all your stuff that’s going to be even harder! Oh, well.
Just stumbled on your blog from a post on FB. As a former soldier and now cop, I’m digging your posts. Keep up the good work!
Hey Eric, glad to hear that. Spread the word!
Chris
Chris,
I know a lot of people, some of them friends of mine, are really worried about gun confiscation and what might happen in the next few years. I think it would help if you could give us some idea of what police are being told by their superiors. We see DHS with millions of rounds of hollow point bullets and now purchasing 2,700 MINRAP vehicles, in preparation for who knows what. A lot of very nervous people could use some encouragement, if you have any.
Gordo,
I don’t have any personal knowledge of the DHS purchases you mentioned, although I’ve seen a lot of reports about them recently. All of LE uses hollow points, so that doesn’t ring any alarm bells for me. I’d also have to find out if the DHS provides ammo to other LE agencies; that might explain the number of rounds purchased. And how much ammo did DHS buy last year, is this year’s ammo budget larger? I don’t know. In the current political climate, I understand why people are concerned.
About the MINRAPs, my understanding is that they’re being given to police tactical teams. I keep hearing people call them “light tanks”. As a former tank crewman I can tell you they definitely are not any kind of tank. SWAT teams have used similar armored vehicles for years, and as long as they’re used for protection of officers in situations where they need cover from gunfire, I don’t see a reason to be concerned.
Hope that helps.
Sir,
You are the kind of ‘nobody special’ that makes the U.S. the greatest country in history.
Don’t ever forget that, and don’t let anyone else forget it either.
Marc,
I disagree, but that’s still really cool to hear. Thanks!
Read your article in the statesman today. Finally someone thankful for the experience. You are right all we hear about is how people get back and cannot transfer into civilian life, but I bet there are thousands like you that do and are successful. Thank you for your services.
Thanks Ramses. I wasn’t sure how people would respond to that essay, glad to hear someone appreciated it.
HI Chris;
I just stumbled on this. I am pleased to see you are published. You are awesome!
Paul,
Sorry, is this SGM Collins? I’ve known quite a few Collins’s, trying to remember a Paul.
Yep it’s me. Can I be the first to get your autograph on a hardcover? I’ll pay!
SGM, unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it) I’ve had to promise the first autographed copy to several people. However, if you hadn’t supported me and the other Cav guys, we never would have had the opportunity to do all the things we did. I may not be able to get you the first copy, but your copy will definitely be personalized.
No worries! I’m glad to have had the Taylor gang on board. Ya’ll made a huge impact on the war effort. Deguello 7 out!
Enjoyed reading your blog so far. I find it refreshing, the view and stance you have on being an ” operator” . I have his convo about once a month . Im proud to be a vanilla-ice cream Combat Medic, in a Cav. line troop. Thank you for expressing yourself. Ill keep following.
Thanks for reading and following, Bill. I tell people that the only way I’ll ever be an operator is if I go to work for a phone company. Otherwise, I’ll just be a regular soldier and cop. And in my book those are things to be really proud of.
Like how you always keep it real, Chris.
Yo man just checking out your blog, Hows the Opium Trade over in Afghan land?……CIA planes shipping that smack back here It was booming last time I was there….. Former 101st Airborne combat medic. Im glad I made it out alive all BS OIF & OEF and General “Betrayus” Petareus ,that piece of shit.
I know what your talking about on that “liar legion” of PTSD fakers…. Ive seen alot and I don’t believe I have PTSD. I believe its a ruse which ive been proven right on….being now “they” the VA has relabeled PTSD as a “Mental Illness” Vets have already started to recive letters and you will not be able to acquire guns from a shop that requires a background check, good thing for private sale.
It only took 3% last time, I dont know if you feel the way I do but Fuck The NeW WoRlD OrDeR!
Harold,
I’m sure we’d agree on nothing at all. I also find it kind of odd that you’d mention the NWO, right around the time I start getting attacked by truthers for disagreeing with Wolfgang Halbig. Maybe those two things are unrelated, but it’s an odd coincidence.
But assuming you’re being honest, hey man, thank you for your service.
As a Sandy Hook Resident who was appalled by what happened last night I want to Thank You for your Blog debating Wolfgang Herzbig. He is a complete fraud. I know I live here and my kids went to school at SHES.
Oh crap. What happened last night?
Never mind, I read an article about it. Halbig is a friggin’ loon.
Hey Chris…big fan,always lookin forward to your reads…all the way from Kenya,Africa!!
Thanks Ben. Just curious, how’d you run across my writing?
Hey Chris…There is a group in facebook called ‘FPS Russia’ , they had posted a french army joke on their page and in one of the comments someone had posted a link about an article you had written about “White flags and dropped rifles? The real truth about working with the French Army”…thts how I got to know ur works!
HOW THE WORLD IS BRAIN-WASHED!
THE JEWel PARASITE WASP
WASP USES VENOM COCKTAIL TO MANIPULATE THE BEHAVIOR OF ITS COCKROACH PREY…[blahblahblah]
NOTE FROM CHRIS HERNANDEZ AUTHOR: I’m not posting this entire comment. It’s all about how Jews are responsible for all kinds of evil. The comment went on for about a thousand words, went into detail about a bunch of Hollywood personalities, and had nothing at all to do with anything on my blog. I hate ignoring or deleting any reader comment, but I’ve gotten some ridiculous nonsense from crazies who are just trying to use my blog to spout their BS.
Sorry Larry, that’s a no-go here.
Thank you for deleting those types of comments – it’s your blog and you DO have that right. Respectful disagreement is one thing – but nonsense and ranting/raving or bullying any one issue/person etc., ruins this medium for the majority.
Hey.
I just ran across this from a link on the Liberal Gun Club Forums. I like your approach to the issues, and the thoughtfulness behind your opinions. Please keep writing and sharing your ideas.
fk,
Thank you very much. When my writing is appreciated by someone who doesn’t necessarily share my views, I feel like I’ve done something right. 🙂
You would probably be surprised how much we share. I find the partitioning of opinions into two extreme camps not effective in describing how real people want to go about their lives. It’s much better suited to posturing, something I find you refreshingly fee of.
Keep up the good work.
Just read your blog concerning Ferguson MO which I received on FB . I immediately passed my laptop over to my boyfriend, a retired county sheriff. He read every word. Thank you for putting into words what has been eating at him for over 2 weeks.
Excellent piece on Ferguson that was passed on to me by my very good friend who lives in MO. I had some of the very same thoughts you expressed in your expose and just wanted to say thanks again for the good work. The world is a better place with folks like yourself!
Great stuff Chris. Have bought both your books and really enjoyed them. Keep up the good work, and thanks for your service.
If you are ever in Shreveport, I would like to buy you a beer.
Hope you’re doing ok with the flooding, Chris.
I’m all good, thanks Patrick. My family and home are fine, so I’m luckier than about a hundred thousand other people.
Hope you are doing well! I just found your site!!! Enjoyed the article from 2/21/2016 “Thieves and Liars-PTSD Fakers and VA”. EXCELLENT! Knowing firsthand of a “veteran” the article was on point! Question-what does one do about reporting fraud? VA was told about it and turned a blind eye!
You already have a mentor. That’s most of the battle of a writer. You’ve already won. Have your political views changed now that it’s 2020, how easy has it been to stick with your writing schedule and of all the events in your life, with the state of all things 2020 (I seriously think we owe 2019 an apology) what is most important to you?
I’ve barely been writing lately. I had some big changes at home (nothing bad, but a lot of extra responsibility) plus major work changes, and I’ve just been too distracted to write. Bummer.
Hello
Chris
Emotional support frag?
Need one Where to buy?
Very best
Chris
It’s just a regular old army surplus grenade, spray painted green, written on with a Wite-Out pen. 🙂
Chris,
I recently read the article you wrote about Apache Troop’s Blues, “The Day They All Should Have Died.” Well written, very thorough, and well documented. Thanks for being honest and straight about how you roll.
I served as a scout pilot (warrant officer aviator) with Apache Troop, and was in Vietnam with Apache Troop, 1/9th from May ’69 to May ’70. I had finished flying scouts before March 19, 1970, and was serving as liaison officer to the 1st Brigade, 1st Cav, briefing their CO daily on what Apache Troop was finding in the 1st Brigade’s AO. We (Apache Troop) were under “operational control” of the 1st Brigade, which basically meant we were their eyes and ears and would poke our nose into places they wanted us. Most of the time our missions (it seemed to me) were where we thought we should be looking.
The things I remember about March 19th are Kregg being wounded, Doc Del Valle’s actions, and the CBS news crew videotaping the battle. And trying to brief the Brigade CO on the days events.
One of our Blue Platoon leaders, Gary Qualley, wants to reach you via email. His email address is Intl5@aol.com. He was Blue before Jack Hugele.
Thanks again for the story on March 19th, and keep up the good work!
Mr. Collinsworth,
Thank you for that, and I will reach out to Mr. Qualley tonight. Is there any chance you’d be interested in being interviewed for a future article?
Chris
Yes, Chris. And I’d be glad to give you names of other scout pilots with whom I flew.