Colonel Robert G. Hertel was commissioned an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School 1 August 1952, class number 21. His first duty assignment was as M-1 Rifle Instructor, U.S. Army Infantry School. | His subsequent duty assignment include:  Platoon Leader, Hvy Wpns Company, 21st Infantry Regiment, Korea; Platoon Leader, PX Officer, 23d Infantry Regiment, Korea; Platoon Leader, 3d Infantry Regiment, Fort Myer, Virginia; Rifle Company commander/Combat Support Company Commander/S-3, 26th Infantry, Baumholder, Germany; Project Officer, Weapons Division, Material Directorate, Combat Division Command, Fort Belvoir, Virginia; Regimental Senior Advisor, 46th ARepublic of Vietnam Infantry Regiment, Vietnam; New Developments Officer and Weapons Department, USA Infantry School, fort Benning, Georgia; Dep Section, Infantry School and Commander, 1st Battalion, 29th Infantry; Brigade Executive Officer, 173 Airborne Brigade, Vietnam, Deputy Chief, House Liaison Division, Office, Chief of Legislative Ln, DA; Commander, 1st Armored Division, Germany; Assistant Chief of Staff, VII Corps, Stuttgart, Germany; Commander, 1st Corps, Support Command, XVIII Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
His awards and decorations include: Vietnam Cross of Gallantry (Silver Star), Army Commendation Medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Joint Commendation Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Air Medal (3 Oak Leaf Clusters), Bronze Star (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Legion of Merit w/ 1 Oak Leaf Cluster.