Roger Herbert

A 1983 graduate of Davidson College, Dr. Herbert holds a Master of Arts in National Security Affairs from the Naval Postgraduate School (1992), a Master of Science in National Security Studies from the National War College (2005), and a Ph.D. in International Relations and Political Theory from the University of Virginia (2016).

Dr. Herbert received his commission as an officer in the United States Navy through Officer Candidate School in 1984. He graduated from Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) Class 131 in 1985 and reported to SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team TWO (a SEAL team that specializes in undersea operations) for his first assignment in Naval Special Warfare. His operational tours included SEAL Platoon Commander assignments at SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team TWO, SEAL Team EIGHT, and the Naval Special Warfare Development Group. Additionally, he served as the Operations Officer of SEAL Team EIGHT, Executive Officer of SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team TWO, and Naval Special Warfare Task Unit Commander at SEAL Team TWO.

Dr. Herbert was privileged to command SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team TWO, Naval Special Warfare Unit THREE (the Naval Component Command of US Special Operations Command Central) and the Naval Special Warfare Center (Naval Special Warfare’s training command).

His shore assignments included Executive Assistant to Deputy Commander, United States Naval Forces Europe, Executive Assistant to the Deputy Director for Information Operations, the Joint Staff, and United States Special Operations Command’s liaison to the United States Coast Guard.

Dr. Herbert retired from the Navy in 2010 at the rank of Captain. Following his retirement from the Navy, he served as Head of School for The Outdoor Academy (a semester school in Western North Carolina for high-achieving teens that focuses on experiential learning, environmental studies, character education, and outdoor leadership) and a backpacking instructor for NOLS (the National Outdoor Leadership School).

From 2018 to 2021, Dr. Herbert served on the faculty of the US Naval Academy as Robert T. Herres Distinguished Military Professor of Ethics.

Dr. Herbert currently serves on the Board of Trustees for Brevard College and Eagle’s Nest Foundation. He is a Research Fellow in the Future Security Initiative at Arizona State University and holds the title of Honorary Professor at the University of New South Wales, Australia.

He remains active as a writer and speaker. His publications include Ethics and Moral Reasoning for Naval Leaders (with co-editor Marc LiVecche, Pearson 2021), The Ethics of Special Ops: Raids, Recoveries, Reconnaissance and Rebels (with co-authors Deane-Peter Baker and David Whetham, Cambridge University Press 2023) and Ethics at War: How Should Military Personnel Make Ethical Decisions (with co-authors Deane-Peter Baker, Rufus Black, and Iain King, Routledge 2024).