Against the Current in the Silent Service

Commander R.W. Herman, winner of 2021 and 2023 the Florida Authors and Publishers Association Presidents Book Award GOLD Medals, was born in Minnesota and graduated from Minneapolis Edison High School in 1964. While attending the University of Minnesota in 1965, he received his draft notice and chose to enlist in the U.S. Navy beginning his Naval career which would span over 30 years. Following ten years enlisted service, he was selected through the Limited Duty Officer program and commissioned an Ensign in April 1979 specializing in a submarine communication. In the 1980's he was the forerunner and leading expert for battle group communications interoperability involving surface, submarine and air forces, not only for the U.S. but many nations of the world. In 1997 he chaired the steering committee of senior staff officers of the submarine force leading them into the future of C4I (Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence), laying the foundation for and assuring continued information processing superiority into the twenty-first century. Highly respected, he was an exceptional leader and was known as the guru, oracle and Jedi master of submarine communications. All senior commanders when picking their staffs asked that their communication department be headed by someone who was "Herman Trained." During his career he served on four ships', had overseas tours in Italy and Sardinia, visited four continents, 15 countries and sailed in three oceans and over a dozen seas. He is entitled to wear the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal with two stars, the Navy Commendation Medal with one star and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two stars. At retirement, he was the senior submarine communications officer in the Navy. A sports enthusiast, CDR Herman was a high school wrestling champion and an exceptional bowler. He has always been involved in activities whether playing himself or coaching his sons in little league. As an avid softball player and manager, he participating in numerous all-navy events leading the Naples All-Stars to the 1977 All Navy Europe Championship finals. CDR Herman is an active member of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) and a strong supporter of the St. Mary's Submarine Museum. He is co-founder of R.O.A.R. (Reach Out and Respond) which was created in 2012 as a philanthropic source to help those who need immediate and short-term assistance during unexpected financial loss. CDR Herman now resides in Fernandina Beach, Florida, with his wife Kathy and their two Boston Terriers Roxy and Stella and Olde English Bulldog Sissy. Between them, they have five sons, ten grandchildren and one great-grandchild. When not writing, he most likely is reading a book, enjoying TV or watching the grandchildren participate in sports.