Herdt served aboard , , and on the staff of the Nuclear Power School in Orlando, Florida, prior to his tour as Chief of the Boat aboard . He has served as Command Master Chief at Nuclear Field "A" School, Orlando, Florida, on board , 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.