Command Senior Chief
Command Senior Chief (SW/AW) Sol F. Benavides
Command Senior Chief Sol F. Benavides is a native of Los Angeles, California. She graduated from Bellarmine-Jefferson High School in May 2000. She enlisted in the Navy on 21 June 2005. After completing basic training at Recruit Training Command (RTC), Great Lakes, Illinois, she completed Fire Controlman (FC) ‘A’ school at Naval Training Center Great Lakes, Illinois and Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) ‘C’ school in San Diego, California.
In November 2006, she reported to her first command, USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), homeported in Everett, Washington. While onboard she completed two Western Pacific deployments, and earned her Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist and Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist qualifications. She advanced to Second Class Petty Officer and was selected as CVN 72’s 2008 Sailor of the Year.
In November 2011, she reported to Southwest Regional Maintenance Center (SWRMC) at Naval Station San Diego. She advanced to First Class Petty Officer in 2012 and volunteered for a yearlong Individual Augmentee (IA) assignment to the Combined Air and Operations Center in Camp Al Udeid, Qatar. Upon completion of her IA assignment she returned to SWRMC and was assigned as a CIWS tech rep and was selected as SWRMC’s 2013 Senior Sailor of the Year. She was selected, tested, and accepted to Chief Petty Officer on 16 September 2014.
In January 2015, she reported to USS TRUXTUN (DDG 103) in Norfolk, VA and served as Combat Gunnery (CG) division Leading Chief Petty Officer where she completed Baltic Operations, escort duty through the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, and deployments to 6th and 5th Fleet operating areas.
In July 2018, she reported to Pre-Commissioning Detachment Lyndon B Johnson (DDG 1002) in Norfolk, Virginia where she served as the Senior Enlisted Leader and was advanced to Senior Chief Petty Officer.
In May 2020, she reported to USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001) in San Diego, and was assigned as Planning and Tactics Department Leading Chief Petty Officer.
In November 2021, she reported to Commander Naval Surface Force, Atlantic as the Force FC. During this tour she applied to the Command Senior Enlisted Leadership program and in March 2022 she was selected to Command Senior Chief.
She reported to Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facilities, Virginia Capes (FACSFAC VACAPES) in December 2022 and is currently serving as the Command Senior Chief.
She is a graduate of the Senior Enlisted Academy and Command Master Chief/Chief of the Boat course. Her personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), Air Force Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (five awards), and various unit and campaign service ribbons.