MR. LERNES "Bear" HEBERT

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Personnel Policy 

Mr. Hebert oversees the full spectrum of human resource policies for over two million military personnel serving in the Department of Defense. As the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Personnel Policy, a component of the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, his responsibilities include accessions, compensation, development, separations, and recognition programs. He is directly responsible for policies to sustain the all-volunteer force.

Career

Mr. Hebert has served in Military Personnel Policy since 2003. During his tenure, he led the Department through major initiatives to restructure career longevity provisions, joint officer management, and general and flag officer management. His achievements were recognized in 2017 with his receipt of the Presidential Rank Award of Meritorious Executive in 2017.

He previously served in the Air Force, and after a 24-year military career, he retired as a colonel. He served at every level in the field of personnel management, including key assignments in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, in the Air Staff, at the Air Force Personnel Center and with the Air Combat Command.

Education

Mr. Hebert earned a Master of Science in national security strategy from the National War College at the National Defense University. He also holds a Master of Arts in management and computer resource management from Webster University. He attended the University of Louisiana, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in management.