Photo By Petty Officer 3rd Class Max Rector | NAVAL AIR STATION SIGONELLA, Italy (Jan. 25, 2024) Operations Specialist 1st Class...... read more read more
NAVAL AIR STATION SIGONELLA, Italy (Jan. 25, 2024) – Operations Specialists 1st class Anna-Malia Benjamin, 23, from Marina, California, serves with Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe, Detachment Maritime Ashore Support Team (CNE DET MAST) and joined the Navy in November 2017, with a desire to support her family, go to school and travel the world.
“Serving to me means to sacrifice everything for the ones you love,” said Benjamin. “Our families back at home are entrusting their safety to those who took the oath. As time goes on in the military, the people we meet and work closely with start to become our family too. We take the burden upon ourselves do everything in our power to keep those people safe.”
As an Operations Specialist, Benjamin’s job is to process, display, evaluate, and disseminate information and intelligence for CNE DET MAST, which tracks everything in and above the water. Benjamin also gives recommendations to the Officer of the Deck for course and speed to ensure the safety of the crew and the ship.
“My favorite part about being an OS is hunting other vessels,” said Benjamin. “On deployment or during exercises, I get a rush of excitement in being able to use the knowledge I have gained from my peers and reading publications.”
In addition to her duties as an Operations Specialist, Benjamin has a collateral duty as a Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Victim Advocate and assistant command fitness leader.
“[My collateral duties] give me the ability to help people, which I find the most satisfaction in,” said Benjamin.
Her proudest accomplishment in the Navy has been her promotion to petty officer first class within five years of joining the Navy; the average advancement timeframe for an Operations Specialist is eight to ten years.
“[Advancement] proved to me the evolutions and training I took part in, and the studying paid off,” said Benjamin. “My previous command [made me work hard], and at the time I was ungrateful…but I wouldn’t be where I am without all of their help.”
Benjamin is very passionate about helping her family and Sailors, as well as learning and growing as an Operations Specialist and a Sailor. In her spare time she enjoys crocheting and making blankets. Her favorite part about being in Sicily is the cheap travel around Europe.
Naval Air Station Sigonella provides consolidated operational, command and control, administrative, logistical and advanced logistical support to U.S. and other NATO forces. The installation’s strategic location enables U.S., allied, and partner nation forces to deploy and respond as required, ensuring security and stability in Europe, Africa and Central Command.
For more news and information from NAS Sigonella, visit https://cnreurafcent.cnic.navy.mil/Installations/NAS-Sigonella/ or https://www.facebook.com/nassigonella/.
| Date Taken: | 01.25.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 01.25.2024 09:06 |
| Story ID: | 462395 |
| Location: | IT |
| Web Views: | 151 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Sailor in the Spotlight OS1 Anna-Malia Benjamin, by PO3 Max Rector, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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