460th MDSS receives new commander

Published July 13, 2017
By Airman Jacob Deatherage
460th Space Wing Public Affairs

BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Lt. Col. Andrew Herman took command of the 460th Medical Support Squadron from Lt. Col. Alvin Scott, Jr., July 7, on Buckley Air Force Base, Colo.

Col. Matthew Hanson, 460th Medical Group commander, presided over the ceremony and transferred the guidon from Scott to Herman, symbolizing the official change of command.

As part of their arrival, each new commander is asked a series of questions to help show Team Buckley their personality. Here is Herman’s First Five:

Q: During your change of command ceremony, you mentioned how you joined the Air Force after 9/11 with the intention of only doing four years. What made you want to stay in?

A: I joined the Air Force because I wanted to serve my country after 9/11. I didn’t really know much about the military or what all it had to offer, so I went in with the basic assumption of doing my part and returning to civilian life. What I found that made me stay was the opportunity to lead and make a difference in the lives of others through mentorship and developing (and sometimes rehabilitating) your Airmen. This was not something that I really had the opportunity or freedom to do in the civilian world.

Q: If you could give your squadron one message, what would it be?

A: Always be professional, be compassionate to those you serve, and adhere to the Air Force Core Values.

Q: What has been your best experience in the Air Force so far?

A: I’ve have had too many great experiences in the Air Force to pick just one. Some that come to mind are being the lead medical planner for President Bush's trip through Africa, planning humanitarian missions into Ebola outbreak areas, teaching new Medical Service Corps officers and then hearing of their successes years down the road, seeing my young officers/enlisted win wing and Air Force Medical Service level awards.

Q: Who do you model your leadership style after?

A: I do not have one single style, or one single mentor who I model my leadership style after. Having come from the corporate/consulting world prior to the military, I am a huge proponent of leading through mentorship/staff development and being present through leadership rounding. I am a Lean Six Sigma black belt and a huge proponent of the Toyota way, using continuous process improvement and Lean Daily Management to lead the organization towards strategic objectives/vision.

Q: If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

A: Again it would be difficult to choose just one person. I would probably choose my father who passed away many years ago. I would love to have a chance to ask him all the questions I was never able to and to share all the wonderful things that have happened in my life since his passing.