Born: August 12, 1955
Biography:
Martha Herb is a trailblazing figure in the United States Navy, known for her exceptional leadership, perseverance, and pioneering achievements. With a career spanning an impressive thirty-nine years, she has left an indelible mark on the Navy and society as a whole.
Born on August 12, 1955, Martha Herb grew up in a family with a strong military tradition. Inspired by her father’s service in the Navy, she developed a deep admiration for the armed forces and a desire to serve her country.
Her naval journey began in 1976 when she graduated from the United States Naval Academy. Martha displayed exceptional aptitude and dedication throughout her training, earning her the distinction of receiving the prestigious Surface Warfare Officer designation.
Throughout her career, Martha Herb excelled in various roles and commanded multiple units. She proved her mettle and expertise in challenging diving and salvage operations, becoming one of the first three women in the Navy to qualify as a Mixed Gas Diving and Salvage Officer. Her exceptional diving skills led her to conduct dive operations all over the world, collaborating with partners in Canada and surveying underwater wrecks with the National Park Service.
Demonstrating her versatility and commitment to excellence, Martha also earned qualifications in the demanding Explosive Ordnance Disposal Community. This made her a dual warfare qualified officer in both the Surface Warfare and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Communities, a rare accomplishment. Her expertise and leadership earned her command of five different units, where she made a significant impact with her strategic vision, exceptional communication skills, and commitment to the well-being of her personnel.
In addition to her command assignments, Martha Herb served as the Officer in Charge of a Joint Cadre at NATO and as the Director of the Ministry of Defense in Kabul, Afghanistan. Her exceptional leadership and problem-solving skills were widely recognized, leading to her promotion to Rear Admiral (Upper Half) in 2014. She became the 25th Director of the InterAmerican Defense College, an international graduate school that delivers its curriculum in four languages.
Furthermore, Martha Herb demonstrated her dedication to the well-being of her fellow service members during her tenure as the leader of the Navy’s people programs. She focused on critical issues such as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention, Suicide Prevention, and work/life stress issues. Her passion for ensuring the well-being of her colleagues and her expertise in counseling led her to pursue an EdD, specializing in Counseling and Military Families. As a certified complex trauma specialist, she has used Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to assist people in overcoming challenges and finding personal victory.
Martha Herb’s impact extends beyond her Navy career. Under the auspices of her LLC, Lake Oconee Christian Counseling, she provides counseling, coaching, and speaking services to organizations such as NEIL and the Ministry of Defense in Trinidad and Tobago. Additionally, she contributes her time and expertise as a board member for organizations like Trauma Resiliency and Resources and the Women Diver’s Hall of Fame.
Her exceptional contributions to diving, salvage operations, leadership, and counseling have been widely recognized. Martha Herb’s remarkable career has paved the way for future generations of women in the Navy, inspiring them to strive for excellence and break down barriers. Her steadfast determination, exceptional leadership, and unwavering commitment to service have made her an invaluable role model for women, not only in the military but also in society at large.