Military Biography:

Captain J.J. Fdez de Castro enlisted in the Marine Corps on 7th of November 1991. After earning the title “MARINE” at Basic Training in MCRD San Diego, California in January 1992, he proceeded to the U.S. Army Transportation School in Newport News, Virginia. His first duty station was at Camp Foster Okinawa, Japan, where he served on the Commanding General’s staff for BGen Smith and BGen Rollins, as an administration clerk for twelve months. After completing his overseas tour in the summer of 1993, he was then stationed at Cherry Point, NC, as a Plane Captain with the Visiting Aircraft Line (VAL) Headquarters Company. While at the VAL, he was sent to the Advance Transportation School in 1995, and later that year he successfully completed the Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO) Course at Cherry Point, NC. In 1996, he was accepted into the Broadened Opportunity for Officer Selection Training (BOOST) program located in Newport, Rhode Island. After completion of the BOOST program, he reported to Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) in June of 1997. The following year, he completed Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia. He received his commission and graduated in April 28, 2001, Cum Laude with a Bachelor in Science in Civil Engineering Technology and a Minor in Mathematics. 

After Graduation he reported to Quantico, Virginia for The Basic School in June 2001. Upon graduation he reported to the Ground Supply Officers Course in Camp Johnson, North Carolina. He was then assigned as the MWSS 274 squadron Supply Officer in March 2002. During Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi freedom he played a supporting role by sending equipment and personnel overseas. In April 2003, he was selected as the 22nd MEU Special Operation Command, MSSG 22 Supply Officer to support combat operations in Afghanistan. This was the first time in Marine Corps history that a Marine Wing Support Squadron stood up an MSSG. After his return in November 2004, he returned to MWSS 274 as the squadron supply officer. In March of 2005, he reported to Recruiting Station Ft Lauderdale as the Officer Selection Officer (OSO) for South Florida, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Where he successfully made mission three consecutive years and commissioned over 127 Officers. On August of 2008 he reported to Camp Pendleton, California as the 5th Marine Regiment, Headquarters Company Commander and Regimental Supply Officer. On January 2009, he was transferred to Wounded Warrior Battalion West, and soon thereafter transferred to I&I Hialeah Florida for medical treatment. While recovering from eye surgery he was attached to the American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces. His primary goals included assisting all of our American veterans with the Transition Reintegration Program (TRP). In August 2012, Captain Fernandez was appointed as the Senior Naval Science Instructor at G. Holmes Braddock Senior High School, a role he has excelled in ever since. Throughout his tenure, he has guided hundreds of young cadets, helping them emerge as leaders in their communities, the military, and society at large. To embody the principle that "anything is possible" and to exemplify the mantra "NEVER QUIT," Captain Fernandez decided to return to school despite being 100% blind veteran. He successfully completed his studies, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a 4.0 GPA from American Military University with a Master's degree in Military History in February 2024. 

Formal Schools Include: Marine Infantry Combat School, Basic Supply Distribution Management Course, BOOST, Naval Reserve Officer Training NROTC, “Bulldog” Officer Candidate School, Ground Supply Officer Course, Special Operations Training Group (SOTG), Officer Selection Officer School, and Maritime Pre-Position School.

Personal Decorations include: Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3rd Award), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Marine Corps Recruiting Ribbon, Afghanistan Campaign Medal(w/Star), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment ribbon, National Defense Service Medal (2), Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (3rd award), Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendations (3), Certificate of Appreciate, Letter of Appreciation (3), Rifle Sharpshooter Badge, Pistol Sharpshooter Badge, and Green Belt in Marine Corps Martial Arts Program.