ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. (May 19, 2015) -- Maj. Gen. Peter D. Utley, commanding general of the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command, honored Sgt. 1st Class William R. Benjamin, former ATEC chaplain assistant, for his impactful contributions to the Army over his 27 years of service during his retirement ceremony May 7 at ATEC Headquarters.
"Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin has had a career marked by a sustained level of high achievement, and has never lost sight of the primary responsibility of a leader -- to take care of the people under his charge," said Utley. "He has been tireless in his efforts to provide Soldiers with every possible tool to keep them and their families safe and secure, and most importantly, together and committed to one another during times of forced separations."
Benjamin enlisted in the Army in 1987 as a material control specialist, and just two years later, changed his military career path to become a chaplain assistant. Benjamin believed that being a chaplain's assistant was more than just a job, but rather his calling. His belief in God guided him through his life, and his faith was the beginning of his success in life, both personally and professionally.
"My belief in God guides me through life, my faith is the beginning of my success, and my Family serves as my pillar of strength," Benjamin said.
Benjamin served as the chief advisor to the Command Chaplain on issues pertaining to the free exercise of religion, workforce morale and resilience, and suicide prevention. He also aided the Chaplain's efforts in laying the foundation of a strong and effective ministry program at the command.
Having served in a variety of locations, including Fort Ord, California; Fort Lewis, Washington; Fort Hamilton in New York; Korea; Fort Lee, Virginia.; Germany, and Fort Gordon in Georgia, he took a personal interest and commitment to reducing and eliminating workplace stressors, promoting a caring work environment, and enhancing the morale of Soldiers and civilians. As part of that commitment, he coordinated ATEC's Strong Bonds program, a unit-based, chaplain-led program to build resiliency, strengthen Army Families and helps Soldiers and their Families cope with long separations, frequent relocations, and the stressors of deployments.
During Benjamin's tenure at ATEC, Benjamin served three chaplains; Chaplain (Col.) Mark A. Penfold, Chaplain (Col.) Harry A. Rauch III, and Chaplain (Col.) David P. Hillis.
In support of Chaplain Penfold, ATEC's current Command Chaplain, Benjamin served as a liaison with the Army's Strong Bonds Contracting Representative to ensure all the logistics, including lodging and meals, were taken care of to meet the needs of the Soldiers and their Families attending the Strong Bond retreats.
Evident by his remarks during the ceremony, family is at the top of the list of things Benjamin values most and he is humbly grateful to his children for their sacrifices over the years, especially since they are part of a dual-military family. His wife, Army Sgt. Jamie D. Benjamin, also serves the nation's Army as a Chaplain Assistant and is currently assigned to the U.S. Army Garrison at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. He's seen first-hand, the sacrifices military children have to make in support of their military parents. Because of them, his commitment to strengthening the Army Family spilt over into his professional life daily.
In recognition of the daily sacrifices military children make in support of their active duty parents, he led an initiative to set up a gift-giving reward program to remind them of just how special they are. He also made a concerted effort to secure qualified contract childcare providers during the Strong Bonds retreats so parents could focus on the program's events without distractions.
A huge advocate for volunteerism and mentoring, Benjamin mentors and tutors troubled teens from the APG Youth Challenge Program to help them earn their high school diplomas. Also active in the local Harford County schools, he's volunteered more than 50 hours as a mentor to students at the Perryville Elementary school in Perryville, Maryland.
During his remarks, Benjamin quoted the Soldier's Creed and went on to express his gratitude to all those who had impacted his life's journey as he became a Soldier. Benjamin credited one key family member for shaping his character and, ultimately, his career -- his mother.
"If you know me as a caring person, as a hard worker, as a stubborn person, as a coach, as a man of my word, and as a man who loves his family, then you know my mother, Ms. Geraldine Benjamin," Benjamin said.
There is no doubt that family has been at the forefront of Benjamin's career. He thanked his children for their patience and fortitude through the many changes and challenges military children are asked to endure.
In addition to family, Benjamin also credited his former high school basketball coach, Steve Post, for encouraging him to reach his maximum potential as a leader.
"He showed his potential by his dedication to being a team member, sacrificing his own goals to help support the team, coming to practices every day, being a hard worker, and showing willingness to being part of the team without getting the glory," Post said.
Utley thanked Benjamin for his immense contributions to the Army and to the United States of America. Utley depicted Benjamin's calling as a chaplain's assistant as his opportunity to serve his nation, and that his sole commitment was to take care of others.
Benjamin summed up his life's philosophy with one simple acronym, TANS, a philosophy that he and his comrades-in-arms followed daily.
"Taking care of Soldiers is serious business. Always leave a place better than you found it. Never ask a Soldier to do something you wouldn't do. Soldiers don't care how much you know until you share how much you care."
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