MCPON James L. Herdt
Ninth Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
Mar. 27, 1998 to Apr. 22, 2002
NHHC Collection Photo # L38-38.06.01. Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy James L. Herdt. Download image.
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy James L. Herdt, a native of Wyoming, joined the U.S. Navy in 1966. After attending Machinist’s Mate “A” School in Great Lakes, Ill., he served sea tours aboard the USS Independence (CV-62) and USS Will Rogers (SSBN-659G) and shore tours at Nuclear Power Training Unit, Windsor, Conn., and Radiological Repair Facility in New London, Conn.
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, Wis., and in 1978 rejoined the regular Navy.
Master Chief Herdt served aboard USS Texas (CGN-39), USS Cincinnati (SSN-693), and on the staff of Nuclear Power School in Orlando, Fla., prior to his tour as Chief of the Boat aboard USS Skipjack (SSN-585). He has served as Command Master Chief at Nuclear Field “A” School in Orlando, Fla., onboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), and at Naval Training Center Great Lakes, Ill. In 1996, he was selected to serve as Force Master Chief for Chief of Naval Education and Training in Pensacola, Fla.
Master Chief Herdt is a graduate of the U.S. Navy Senior Enlisted Academy and U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy. He has earned a master of business administration with a concentration in human resources management from Florida Institute of Technology. He is qualified as an Enlisted Aviation Warfare and Surface Warfare Specialist, as well as in the Submarine Service. Master Chief Herdt is certified as a Master Training Specialist. His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with two Gold Stars, Navy Commendation Medal and Navy Achievement Medal with Gold Star.
Biography from the Office of the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
