Picayune native serves with Naval Oceanography at Stennis Space Center

Published 11:59 am Thursday, September 29, 2022

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Vanessa White, Navy Office of Community Outreach

Sailors and civilians working throughout Naval Oceanography collect, measure, and analyze the elements of the physical environment (land, sea, air, space). They synthesize a vast array of oceanographic and meteorological data to produce forecasts and warnings in support of safety of flight and navigation.

Bennett, a 1980 Picayune High School graduate and 1987 Pearl River Community College graduate, currently serves at Naval Oceanographic Office, headquartered at the Stennis Space Center in Mississippi.

“Naval Oceanography operates simultaneously at the strategic, operational and tactical levels of warfare in every theater around the globe,” said Rear Adm. Ron Piret, commanding officer, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command. “We pride ourselves in our ability to characterize the battle space and then predict changes in the environment over time. Every ship that sails, every aircraft that takes flight, every submarine that dives beneath the surface of the ocean has to go to sea with the information that Naval Oceanography provides.”

“I would like to thank Bobby Knesal,” said Bennett. “He was my Deputy Director and he pushed me to do better. He was always encouraging and he was there to always help me grow and understand the importance of the Navy.”

According to Bennett, the values required to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Picayune.

“Growing up I learned that perseverance, hard work and dedication will get you far,” said Bennett. “I learned to not be a slacker in life.”

Naval Oceanography personnel demonstrate expertise in Hydrography, Geospatial Information and Services (GIS), datum issues, and Tactical Decision Aids (TDA). They combine knowledge of the operating environment with a thorough understanding of warfighting capabilities to assess and predict environmental impacts to friendly and enemy platforms, sensors and weapon systems.

Serving in the Navy means Bennett is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on strengthening alliances, modernizing capabilities, increasing capacities and maintaining military readiness in support of the National Defense Strategy.

“Survey teams provide critical information to help the Navy be able to complete missions,” said Bennett.

With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize the importance of accelerating America’s advantage at sea.

“Maintaining the world’s best Navy is an investment in the security and prosperity of the United States, as well as the stability of our world,” said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. “The U.S. Navy—forward deployed and integrated with all elements of national power—deters conflict, strengthens our alliances and partnerships, and guarantees free and open access to the world’s oceans. As the United States responds to the security environment through integrated deterrence, our Navy must continue to deploy forward and campaign with a ready, capable, combat-credible fleet.”

Bennett and the sailors and the civilians they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.

“I feel like I have learned a lot here and have mentored people under me to learn more about the mission and what goes on here,” said Bennett. “I love helping people.”

As Bennett and other sailors and civilians continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in keeping fellow sailors and civilians safe and serving their country in the United States Navy.

“Being a government civilian means financial stability,” added Bennett. “Being 60 years old, retirement is the biggest draw.”

Naval Oceanography directs and oversees more than 2,500 globally-distributed military and civilian personnel who collect, process and exploit environmental information to assist Fleet and Joint Commanders in all warfare areas to make better decisions, based on assured environmental information, faster than the adversary.