Colonel (RET) Andy Herbst
COL (Ret) Andrew “Andy” Herbst enlisted in the Army when he was 17 years old and rose through the enlisted ranks to Staff Sergeant. In December 1989, Andy earned a bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from Florida Atlantic University and was selected for Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Chemical Corps on 1 June 1990.
While serving as a first lieutenant in the Berlin Brigade in 1991, Andy was deployed with the 6-502 Infantry Battalion on the first of seven career combat tours spanning 42 months, where he served as the Allied Ground Combat Force Chemical Officer.
Andy’s assignments include Platoon Leader, Berlin Brigade; Small Group Leader – Chemical Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, and Chemical Battalion Operations Officer at the U.S. Army Chemical School (Fort McClellan and Fort Leonard Wood). At Fort Liberty, Andy commanded the 101st Chemical Company; served as the 18th Airborne Corp’s Dragon Brigade Operations Officer and held various chemical staff positions in the 82d Airborne Division that included deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq in support of the Global War on Terrorism. He served four years in the Joint Special Operations Command as the Chief of Chemical and Biological Defense and deployed twice as the Chief of Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and once as liaison officer to the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force. Andy commanded the Anniston Chemical Activity, where he helped to demilitarize all the M23 VX land mines and more than 55 percent of the mustard munitions in support of the Chemical Weapons Convention. Later, during the final year of Operation New Dawn, Andy served as the U.S. Forces-Iraq Deputy Director of Force Protection during the successful closure of 75 bases and withdrawal of more than 100,000 personnel. Under Andy’s leadership as its Garrison Commander, Fort Leonard Wood was the first recipient of the Army Community Partnership Award recognizing military and community collaboration that improves readiness, sustainability, and resilience. Also, during his tenure as Garrison Commander, Andy led efforts to begin preservation of Countee Hall, the only remaining Army Black Officer’s Club, which ultimately resulted in National recognition. Andy completed 37 years of service at FORSCOM where he served as CBRN Officer and Director Operations & Readiness. Andy is a graduate of the Command and General Staff College and Joint Advanced Warfighter School. He holds Master’s Degrees in Public Administration and Joint Campaign Planning and Strategy. Andy continues to serve as FORSCOM’s Homeland Defense & Chemical Surety Program Manager.
Andy’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star Medal 2nd oak leaf cluster, Defense Meritorious Service Medal 2d oak leaf cluster, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Combat Action Badge, Expert Field Medical Badge, and Master Parachutist Badge.