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An up close and personal interview with U.S. Navy Service and Togetherweserved.com Member:
PO2 Benjamin Kittleson U.S. Navy (2006-Present)
PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE NAVY?
Well, the bottom line is this, I've always wanted to serve. My reasons are not as honorable as most people you'll talk to about it. My grandfather, uncle, several cousins, and both parents served in the military in one capacity or another, however, it was not really a point of honor or pride for any of them. At least, I wasn't able to see it, and believe me, a kid like I was, it would have been nice to have known something that someone in my family could have been proud of.
Since I joined Cub Scouts and was told the importance of saluting the flag and what it meant for each of us that there were people who were willing to die for our chance to be free, I knew that I would one day serve in the military because I wanted to also be counted among those who considered it an honor to give their life in defense of freedom.
During the first Gulf War back in 1991, I tried to join the Army National Guard, however, my eyesight was not good enough to even be a cook. I therefore, went on to Plan B. I went to college, ended up dropping out, and after a couple of years working this job and that, I started my own Web Development company. Always knowing in the back of my mind that serving our country was what I really wanted to do.
Over the 15 years that followed my original attempt, I tried to get into the military by way of civilian routes on two separate occasions, which neither panned out. Until one day, I'd put a business venture to rest after working on it for more than 5 years. I was looking through job listings online and saw that the Navy Reserves were looking for Chaplains - it was worth a call.
And the rest, as they say, is history. I joined, not as a Chaplain, but rather, a Religious Program Specialist, which didn't work out in the end, so I started my Navy career as a Weather Observer (Aerographer's Mate-AG), before I was able to cross-rate to the job of Mass Communication Specialist-MC as I was preparing to leave for Iraq.
In pursuit of the Chaplain Corps, I now document the Navy and military story as a photo and video-journalist with Fleet Combat Camera Group Pacific in my hometown of San Diego, California. The finest place in the Navy to do weather AND photos.
WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
I joined as a Religious Program Specialist (RP), which didn't work out, so in Boot Camp I switched to Aerographer's Mate (AG), attended AG "A" school in Biloxi, Mississippi at Keesler, Air Force Base. Returned home to San Diego, California and served with Naval Meteorological / Oceanographic Reserve Activity (NMORA) until I was mobilized to go to Iraq as an Individual Augmentee working in Detainee Operations.
Before leaving for Iraq, I submitted cross-rating paperwork for the Mass Communication Specialist (MC) rating. I then departed for Fort Bliss Texas for three months of combat training with the Army, as it was the Army we would be working for once in Iraq.
In Iraq, I was originally part of the Navy Provisional Detainee Battalion-Ramadi 2, which quickly turned into NPDB-Ramadi 3, though we were not located anywhere near Ramadi - our FOB was at Camp Taji, the shiniest junkyard in the Middle East.
After nine months there, I returned once again to San Diego. While in Iraq, I received my letter of acceptance into the MC community, so it was time to meet my new family. Originally, I was placed with Pacific Fleet, however, because there were no billets available for a Sailor in my pay grade, I was shuffled over to the combat camera unit Fleet Combat Camera Group Pacific.
I was asked what I wanted to do, to which I replied, "I'd like to go to school to learn how to use this equipment." So, after drilling with the active duty Sailors for four months, I left for Fort George G. Mead, MD to attend the Defense Information School (DINFOS) to study Public Affairs and Mass Communications in a Military Setting.
And that brings us to today. I've graduated from DINFOS, and am currently considering another deployment because it is difficult to find a full-time job without a degree, which I'm trying really hard to finish so that I can get one step closer to that original goal of joining the Chaplain Corps.
IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH WERE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT TO YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY.
Working detainee operations at Camp Taji in Iraq was my first combat experience. I would have to say that it was significant because we were there to facilitate the care, custody and control of detainees. Men who may or may not have had something to do with the death of my brothers and sisters in arms. And my job was to make a way for their family members to visit them.
Some of these guys we'd had locked up for several years - the last time they'd seen their kids, they were infants, some of them not even born yet. Some of these kids, it was their first time seeing their father. Witnessing mothers and wives, families tearing each other apart for just a few fleeting moments with a man who might not even want to see them in some cases.
It left me with a lot of mixed feelings that I'm not even sure I'm able to clearly explain at this point - so I move on to things I can understand and get a handle on.
During our 2013 fall patrol aboard USS George Washington, our carrier strike group was tasked to facilitate humanitarian aid to the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan hit the area in early November.
The GW delivered food and fresh water to victims of the devastation on the ground in the Tacloban area for eight days before being relieved by USS Germantown.
We shared the story of both the Navy and the efforts of the Sailors, but also, the people who were affected. www.facebook.com/USSGW was the place to find information about up-to-the-minute work happening on the flight deck, which helped the people on the ground.
FROM YOUR ENTIRE SERVICE, INCLUDING COMBAT, DESCRIBE THE PERSONAL MEMORIES WHICH HAVE IMPACTED YOU MOST?
 My proudest memory so far is graduating from the Defense Information School just a couple of months ago. I was able to obtain and maintain a 90+% GPA throughout the course which was six months long. I'd never even HAD a 90% GPA at any point in my academic career, let alone held one.
At graduation, I sat in the third chair next to two VERY talented and skilled young Sailors who I very much look forward to serving with in the Fleet. For the final two months of the school, I served as the Class Leader as I held the highest pay grade. I was also proud to have finished the course with the same number of students as we began with having zero failures during the Navy-unique portion of the course.
OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR ANY OTHER MEMORABILIA, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH ARE THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
 I would say that the most meaningful at this point in my career is the Navy/Marine Commendation Medal. I earned it as an E-3 while in Iraq. Working for arguably the best Chief we had on board, who has since become an Ensign (well-deserved).
He pushed everyone to be better than we were when we walked in the door, stepped off the plane, started the training. He encouraged us, sometimes even threatened us, and in the end, I think we can all say we left Iraq better Sailors than we went there as.
WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
 I've often referred to this Chief as the type of leader who could tear you a new one, and make you want to thank him for it when he was through. He was, and I'm sure, still is very eloquent and quick with a one-liner that'll put the whole room in stitches. But at the end of the day, he gets the job done.
He made all of us in the command we were at, work harder, more efficiently, and with a certain amount of pride that, well, I was proud to be a part of.
He truly exemplified the portion of the creed that says "I am committed to excellence, and the fair treatment of all".
GMC Eric Holmes is front and center crouching in the photo that accompanies this section. He has been, as I mentioned earlier, promoted to the rank of Ensign in the year since we returned from Iraq.
WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
I'm still considering what career path to take as a civilian, even though I am still an Active Reservist. My experience in Iraq, earned a Journeyman's Apprentice Certificate in Corrections, however, I'm not sure if that's the route I want to go or not.
Check back with me in a year - if I'm not in Afghanistan at the time.
WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
 I am a member of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. They have prizes they give away from their website (www.IAVA.org), but they are also working on legislation that helps vets who've been wounded in GWOT, as well as helping to make sure VA and GI Bill benefits are not overlooked and allowed to fall by the way-side.
I just joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars the other day. The reason being that I've been told that they are a good resource to go to for networking opportunities as well as a good source of support for my family should anything happen to me. And that's important to me, that my family is taken care of regardless of what should happen.
IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER?
 I am a lot more serious about how I approach everything now. I used to be casual in all of my dealings, from business to personal endeavors. Don't get me wrong, being in business for myself meant that I had to go out and get what I wanted - but the Navy has helped me to explore my limitations in a way I hadn't before I joined.
I hope that by joining the Navy, I'll be able to be a better example to my son, a better support to my wife, and a dad my daughter will be proud of as they grow up.
BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE NAVY?
Be sure to make time for those who support you in your service. If it's your mom and dad - make sure to set aside some time to visit with them when you're not deployed. If it's you husband/wife and/or kids - don't miss a chance to go for a walk, or just a glass of your favorite beverage sitting on the back porch or in front of a fire.
Sometimes it doesn't seem like it's enough, but it's a much happier memory than all of the missed opportunities because you were chasing after your own desires, and filling up your time with endeavors that had nothing to do with the reasons why you joined in the first place.
And that's what they honor, that's what they support. That's the person they want to have around for many years to come - and you never know when your next deployment may be your last. Don't let them spend the rest of their lives thinking about how they wished they'd have been able to see you just one last time.
IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
 It's been nice to see where my shipmates have been, and where they're planning to go. To see some of the photos and operations they've been a part of. It's amazing to me how far we've all come in just four years - I really look forward to where we'll go over the next four!
TWS has simply been an extension of the pride I have in being a Sailor, I'm able to display my achievements, and keep in contact with the people I've served with. |
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TWS VOICES
TWS Voices are the personal stories of men and women who served in the US Military and convey how serving their Country has made a positive impact on their lives. If you would like to participate in a future edition of Voices, or know someone who might be interested, please contact TWS Voices HERE.
This edition of Navy Voices was supported by:
Navy.Togetherweserved.com
For current and former serving Members of the United States Navy, TogetherWeServed is a unique, feature-rich resource enabling Naval personnel to re-connect with lost Shipmates, share memories and tell their Navy story.
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