Commander Nathan H. “Herb” Hancock is the executive officer of the National Water Center (under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Weather Service) at the University of Alabama. Commander Hancock received his commission in May 1997 as a Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Engineer. After seven years as a combat engineer, he received an interservice transfer to the NOAA Corps in July 2004.

His sea service began following his interservice transfer. Since joining the NOAA Corps, he has been assigned to NOAA Ships McArthur II, Pisces, Ka’imimoana and Gordon Gunter. On those ships, he conducted hydrographic surveys, marine sanctuary assessments, Deep Ocean ROV sampling, deployment of buoys supporting ocean and atmospheric research and tsunami warning, fisheries stock assessments and marine mammal surveys.

His other shore assignments include two tours with the 317th Engineer Battalion; the 36th Engineer Group with a combat tour in support of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom; and his first shore assignment with NOAA Corps at the Commissioned Personnel Center.

Commander Hancock’s awards and badges include the Bronze Star Medal, NOAA Corps Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, NOAA Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medal, NOAA Atlantic, Pacific, and International Service Ribbons, and the Army Service Ribbon; NOAA Senior Watch Officer and Working Diver badges, and Army Parachutist and Air Assault badges.

A native of Gulf Shores, Commander Hancock holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and systems engineering from the United States Military and a master’s degree in geology and geophysics from Missouri University of Science and Technology.

He and his wife, Amanda, have two daughters, Isabella and Savannah Grace.