STENNIS, Ms. – Most Americans rely on weather forecasts to plan their daily routine. The U.S. Navy is no different. With numerous ships, submarines and airplanes deployed around the world, sailors and civilians serving with the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command at Stennis Space Center, Mississippi, advise Navy leaders about the impact of ocean and atmospheric conditions on future operations.
 |
| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Heidi Cheek |
Michael Bendzlowicz, a 1979 Longbeach High School graduate and native of Longbeach, Mississippi, is one of those responsible for providing timely, comprehensive and tactically relevant information for ships, submarines, aircraft and other commands operating throughout the globe.
As a technical lead for undersea warfare, Bendzlowicz is responsible for providing technical supporting information about anti-submarine warfare, mine warfare and seabed warfare, along with unmanned systems.
Bendzlowicz credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Longbeach.
“I grew up in a military family and lived amongst the military community in the area,” said Bendzlowicz. "I was always interested in marine biology and grew up near the ocean."
A key element of the Navy the nation needs is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, according to Navy officials, and that the nation’s prosperity is tied to the ability to operate freely on the world’s oceans. More than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water; 80 percent of the world’s population lives close to a coast; and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea.
“Naval Oceanography defines and applies the physical environment for the entire Navy fleet from the bottom of the ocean to the stars,” said Rear Adm. John Okon, Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command. “There isn't a plane that flies, a ship or a submarine that gets underway without the sailors and civilians of Naval Oceanography.”
Bendzlowicz is playing an important part in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results and partnerships,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “Readiness, lethality and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities.”
Though there are many ways to earn distinction in a command, community and career, Bendzlowicz is most proud of earning a master's degree in 2001.
“The Navy saw fit to pay for the degree and gave me a year to complete it,” said Bendzlowicz. "It helped me in my career, and I believe it was a benefit for the Navy for me to learn more about my job."
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Bendzlowicz, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Bendzlowicz is honored to carry on that family tradition.
“My father was a Navy Seabee,” said Bendzlowicz. "He retired as a master chief. My father-in-law retired as a Navy senior chief. I get great family support, which is important because I have more than 3,000 days at sea as a Navy civilian, so it was nice to have family here who understood military service."
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Bendzlowicz and other members know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
"As a government civilian, I'm honored to serve our military members so they can do their jobs around the world,” said Bendzlowicz. "This is a great opportunity to provide guidance on what I believe is needed for the weather community in the Navy, such as unmanned systems and autonomous vehicles.”
“We have to make sure the 'bread and bullets' are provided for our military men and women, so they can keep us safe at home,” added Bendzlowicz. “It's humbling to see the young people come in and blossom within their own careers."
As a technical lead for undersea warfare, Bendzlowicz is responsible for providing technical supporting information about anti-submarine warfare, mine warfare and seabed warfare, along with unmanned systems.
Bendzlowicz credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Longbeach.
“I grew up in a military family and lived amongst the military community in the area,” said Bendzlowicz. "I was always interested in marine biology and grew up near the ocean."
A key element of the Navy the nation needs is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, according to Navy officials, and that the nation’s prosperity is tied to the ability to operate freely on the world’s oceans. More than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water; 80 percent of the world’s population lives close to a coast; and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea.
“Naval Oceanography defines and applies the physical environment for the entire Navy fleet from the bottom of the ocean to the stars,” said Rear Adm. John Okon, Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command. “There isn't a plane that flies, a ship or a submarine that gets underway without the sailors and civilians of Naval Oceanography.”
Bendzlowicz is playing an important part in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results and partnerships,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “Readiness, lethality and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities.”
Though there are many ways to earn distinction in a command, community and career, Bendzlowicz is most proud of earning a master's degree in 2001.
“The Navy saw fit to pay for the degree and gave me a year to complete it,” said Bendzlowicz. "It helped me in my career, and I believe it was a benefit for the Navy for me to learn more about my job."
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Bendzlowicz, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Bendzlowicz is honored to carry on that family tradition.
“My father was a Navy Seabee,” said Bendzlowicz. "He retired as a master chief. My father-in-law retired as a Navy senior chief. I get great family support, which is important because I have more than 3,000 days at sea as a Navy civilian, so it was nice to have family here who understood military service."
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Bendzlowicz and other members know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
"As a government civilian, I'm honored to serve our military members so they can do their jobs around the world,” said Bendzlowicz. "This is a great opportunity to provide guidance on what I believe is needed for the weather community in the Navy, such as unmanned systems and autonomous vehicles.”
“We have to make sure the 'bread and bullets' are provided for our military men and women, so they can keep us safe at home,” added Bendzlowicz. “It's humbling to see the young people come in and blossom within their own careers."