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Serving in the brought Raymond Hernandez �Ӱ�ԭ��24 all over the country and beyond, enabling him to be a part of several important and impactful missions. He is now preparing for his next mission as a student at the University of New Haven.

Originally planning to pursue a career as a physical therapist, Hernandez decided to instead join the U.S. Coast Guard. He has been stationed from Boston to California to Alaska, where he served twice �Ӱ�ԭ�� most recently as a command chief on the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Alex Haley. He completed his career as training program coordinator in New Haven, earning the rank of chief.

As a servicemember, he responded to hurricanes, the devastating earthquake in Haiti in 2010, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, and provided security detail for President Obama�Ӱ�ԭ��s inauguration. He officially retired this past September.

�Ӱ�ԭ��My journey in the Coast Guard was such a blessed adventure,�Ӱ�ԭ�� he said. �Ӱ�ԭ��I saw so many places, created lifelong bonds, and left with a feeling of true accomplishment.�Ӱ�ԭ��

�Ӱ�ԭ��There is a feeling of pure joy when you know you can pay it forward�Ӱ�ԭ��

Now a business management major at the University of New Haven, Hernandez is preparing for the next chapter in his life �Ӱ�ԭ�� a career in the field of esports. Hernandez has been passionate about video games since he was eight years old, beginning with an and later exploring other systems such as , , and .

As assistant coach of the , Hernandez is combining his gaming, military, and leadership backgrounds. He�Ӱ�ԭ��s excited to be a part of a rapidly growing field, and to be learning, coaching, and mentoring in �Ӱ�ԭ��The Stable,�Ӱ�ԭ�� the University�Ӱ�ԭ��s state-of-the-art esports training and competition space in the new Bergami Center for Science, Technology, and Innovation.

�Ӱ�ԭ��I am naturally a competitive person, and I gravitated toward that genre of gaming,�Ӱ�ԭ�� he said. �Ӱ�ԭ��I want to help get the best from our esports athletes, both academically and in the field of gaming. There is a feeling of pure joy when you know you can pay it forward and instill that into the next generation of student athletes �Ӱ�ԭ�� not only in the gaming market, but especially, in the market of life.�Ӱ�ԭ��

Hernandez is one of more than 300 members of the University�Ӱ�ԭ��s veteran community. His classmate Zack Gelissen �Ӱ�ԭ��23 served in the from 2015-2019. Stationed primarily in Norfolk and Chesapeake, Virginia, he was a master-at-arms, which is a military police member trained in counterterrorism. While on active duty, he achieved the rank of an E-5 petty officer second class. He is now studying criminal justice at the University.

�Ӱ�ԭ��I have always had a great deal of respect and admiration for the law enforcement community as a whole,�Ӱ�ԭ�� he said. �Ӱ�ԭ��I knew I wanted to go into the field when I enlisted and began working in law enforcement at age 20.�Ӱ�ԭ��

�Ӱ�ԭ��I am living my dream�Ӱ�ԭ��

A full-time student, Gelissen also works full-time in security at �Ӱ�ԭ�� an especially challenging role during the coronavirus global pandemic. He aspires to eventually work for a federal agency such as the or the .

�Ӱ�ԭ��Even before the pandemic, the job was very physically and emotionally taxing,�Ӱ�ԭ�� he said. �Ӱ�ԭ��All my professors at the University have been very understanding of my schedule, and they have made sure I could attend class and get my assignments done.�Ӱ�ԭ��

Hernandez, too, has been grateful for the support he has received at the University as he transitioned from a military career to the role of student and coach.

�Ӱ�ԭ��I have been amazed by everyone�Ӱ�ԭ��s positive attitude during the pandemic and by the University�Ӱ�ԭ��s safety protocols,�Ӱ�ԭ�� he said. �Ӱ�ԭ��I am living my dream. The staff, professors, and students have created a warm and genuine atmosphere that enabled me to transition easily from a member of the military to a student.�Ӱ�ԭ��