An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Singing for Scott: Sergeant honored by the opportunity

  • Published
  • By Monte Miller
  • 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  Singing and being a police officer have been lifelong aspirations for Staff Sgt. Timothy Herrman and now the two are coming together.

Sergeant Herrman, Air Mobility Command executive security, is representing Scott in the command level AMC Icon competition tonight at the Scott Club.

"I was raised by my mom and she incorporated music throughout my childhood," Sergeant Herrman said. "I started singing in first grade and got really serious about it in middle and high school. I've always enjoyed being on stage and have a passion for music. It's an escape for me."

In addition to singing, Sergeant Herrman also writes his own songs and is an aspiring self-taught musician.

Throughout his childhood Sergeant Herrman also dreamed of being a police officer and was able to fulfill that calling in the Air Force.

"I planned on being a cop on the outside," he explained. "One of the lieutenants of the local department encouraged me to join the Air Force and when I came back I would be a guaranteed hire. After tech school and getting my first assignment, all that changed. I deployed after 9-11 and got a whole new outlook on what my life is about. I've had some great supervisors that wanted the best out of me and showed me how to get the best out of other people. I love being a cop, I love being in uniform and I love serving my country."

Because of his upbringing in Kansas, Sergeant Herrman favors country music when he performs.

"I've sung R and B and gospel," he said. "Everything I sing comes across with a twang."

He will be singing 'Watching You' by country artist, Rodney Atkins, in the command competition, which is the same song he won the Scott Icon with.

"It's just an old country song," Sergeant Herrman said. "I have a 4-year-old son and a lot of moms and dads can relate to it. It's my job to get every word in that song across."

He along with his fellow winners from the other AMC bases, have spent the past few days rehearsing with the Air Force Band of Mid-America's Starlifter Band preparing for the command performance tonight.

Sergeant Herrman said singing with a live band is different from the recording he has used.

"Working with a live band is very impromptu," he explained. "We just get two practices and you have to know it. You have to go up there and nail it. I think I have a good shot."

As far as his competition, he will not get to see what he is up against until a dress rehearsal scheduled for today. Until that point, it is just practice, practice, practice.

"I'd like to think I can win this," Sergeant Herrman said. "I'm very excited. This is a lifelong dream and this could be the first stepping stone. I'm just going to go out there, give it my all and be myself. As loud as I can be as a cop, I'm very humble about these things. It's very important to me to stay grounded and not get a big head and stay on a level platform. No matter what you do, there is always someone better. That goes for singing and my career."

The nerves will be extra high tonight for the performers due the important audience members and that will add to the pressure.

"It's not everyday young Airmen get to be at a base event with so many big names," Sergeant Herrman said. "It's huge to be representing your base and the Air Force and have the Air Force sitting right in front of you. You don't get asked to do something like this everyday. It's an honor for any of us to have this opportunity. It's really great what they (Air Force leaders) are doing for the contestants. It's really a morale booster. It's always good to smile and break away from the stresses."

The music of Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley influenced Sergeant Herrman. Both artists were also in the military and that deepens his love for their songs.

"Johnny Cash's songs are about real life," he said. "I'm also very into gospel. It's all about passion."

Other artists he draws inspiration from include: Randy Travis, Dolly Parton, George Straight, Garth Brooks and other more contemporary country singers like Daryl Worley, Brad Paisley and Toby Keith.

In addition to a $1,000 cash prize, the winner of AMC Icon is guaranteed an audition with the Air Force Tops in Blue group.

"Those guys are phenomenal and they work very hard," Sergeant Herrman said. "Although I love being a cop, if I passed their audition I would most definitely join. To be part of that would be tremendously rewarding."

You can come out to cheer on Sergeant Herrman and the other AMC Icon contestants tonight at the Scott Club. Doors open at 5:30 and the show will begin promptly at 6:30. The first 100 people through the doors will receive a commemorative AMC Icon t-shirt.

The AMC Icon event is free to the public and families are welcome. The enlisted lounge at the Scott Club will be used as an overflow area where the show can be seen on large screens while being broadcast live to all AMC bases.