Career
A native of Casper, Wyoming, Herdt enlisted in the United States. Navy in 1966. After attending Machinist"s Mate "A" School in Great Lakes, Illinois, he served sea tours aboard the United States Ship Independence (CV-62) and United States Ship Will Rogers (SSBN-659) and shore tours at Nuclear Power Training Unit, Windsor, Connecticut, and Radiological Repair Facility in New London, Connecticut. After leaving active duty in 1974, Master Chief Herdt enlisted in the Naval Reserve serving in various Selected Naval Reserve units while attending Kansas State University.
Returning to active duty in 1976, he served as a Naval Reserve Recruiter in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and in 1978 rejoined the regular Navy.
Master Chief Herdt served aboard United States Ship Texas (CGN-39), United States Ship Cincinnati (Social Security Number-693), and on the staff of the Nuclear Power School in Orlando, Florida, prior to his tour as Chief of the Boat aboard United States Ship Skipjack (Social Security Number-585). He has served as Command Master Chief at Nuclear Field "A" School, Orlando, Florida, onboard United States Ship Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), and at Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, Illinois.
In 1996, he was selected to serve and as the Chief of Naval Education and Training Force Master Chief. He was sworn in as the ninth Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy on March 27, 1998.
On March 10, 2000, the first MCPON, Delbert Black, was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Herdt, who was just beginning his enlistment during Black"s tour as MCPON, delivered the eulogy. Master Chief Herdt is a graduate of the United States. Navy Senior Enlisted Academy and United States. Army Sergeants Major Academy. He has earned a Master of Business Administration degree with a concentration in human resources management from Florida Institute of Technology in 1992.
He is "triple qualified" (authorized to wear the Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist, Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist, and Enlisted Submarine Warfare Specialist breast insignias).
Master Chief Herdt is also certified as a Master Training Specialist.
