James L. Herdt

James Lee Herdt (born February 12, 1947), the ninth Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy was appointed on March 27, 1998. A native of Casper, Wyoming, Herdt enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1966. After attending Machinist's Mate "A" School in Great Lakes, Illinois, he served sea tours aboard the USS Independence (CV-62) and USS 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 USS Texas (CGN-39), USS Cincinnati (SSN-693), and on the staff of the Nuclear Power School in Orlando, Florida, 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, Orlando, Fla., onboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), and at Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, Ill.. 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 U.S. Navy Senior Enlisted Academy and U.S. 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. His personal awards include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with two gold award stars, the Navy Commendation Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal with gold award star, and numerous campaign and unit awards.