MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii -- Early in the evening, after the sun has hidden behind the Koolaus, a basketball game is underway on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay. The stakes are high — it’s one-on-one. Winner takes all. The winner will walk away carefree and on top of the world, but the loser — the loser, will have to do the dishes.
Staff Sgt. Shama Hernandez and his wife Elaine firmly believe that sports is a key to living an enriched life, both for themselves, their two children, 4-year-old Ariana and 6-month-old Bishop, and the Marines of MCB Hawaii.
“I grew up in a small town where trouble is easy to find,” said Hernandez. “As long as I have been able to involve myself with sports, there’s no time to get into trouble.”
Born in Clovis, N.M., and raised in Hereford, Texas, Hernandez has been a Marine for nine years and claims that he joined the Marine Corps to change his life for the better. Though he played football and baseball while at Hereford High School, once he got out into the “real world,” the void that was left from high school sports was quickly filled with delinquency.
“My little sister joined the Marine Corps, and I saw that she had really done something with her life,” said Hernandez. “We were both raised around the military, being as my dad was in the Army and is retiring shortly from the Navy reserves, but she was the first to travel down that road. It was clear to me that I had to change my life, so I joined too.”
Hernandez was first stationed at Camp Pendleton, and immediately involved himself in any base sports programs he could. After returning from two Western Pacific deployments where he visited most of the eastern hemisphere, he was selected to go to recruiting duty in his hometown, as a corporal. While at home, Hernandez joined a softball team on a new all-Hispanic softball league.
“We played every year while I was on recruiting duty, and I really enjoyed being a part of my community again, even if it was just for a couple softball games.”
After leaving recruiting duty in July of 2003, Hernandez came to MCB Hawaii. As the Headquarters Battalion working parties staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge, Hernandez has played softball, baseball and flag football for the past two years and is starting his third year of tackle football.
“I keep involved in sports for a number of reasons,” said Hernandez, “primarily to be a good role model both for my kids and for the Marines. Sports can keep you out of trouble, and I know this from personal experience.”
Involvement in sports is so important to Hernandez that he asks every Marine he comes into contact with if they are actively involved with something productive after work hours. If not, his recruiting skills kick into high gear.
“Sports keep me healthy and competitive as well,” said Hernandez. “I think all Marines have that need to be competitive at some level. If I run into them, I’m going to try and bring it out of them.”
Looking for any opportunity to express his competitive nature, Hernandez takes leave every summer to play in the all-Hispanic softball league, and last year his team took first place at the tournament held in Abilene, Texas.
“I figure, as long as I can keep up with the young Marines, I’m doing just fine,” said Hernandez, who has began training this year with hopes of making the All-Marine Baseball team in the spring. “All I have to do is survive through the football season, and I’m going to give all I have during the baseball season. It would be awesome to play for the All-Marine team, and right now, that’s where my sights are set.”
Though he may not win too many driveway basketball games against his wife, who is a regional basketball star, his children are witness to the spirit of competition every day, and that, according to Hernandez, is what his love for sports is all about.