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.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Heidi Cheek |
Ensign Kirk Bienvenu, a 2004 Arch Bishop Rummel High School graduate and native of Metairie, Louisiana, 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 Navy division officer, Bienvenu is responsible for coordination, logistics and training for sailors who work on small boats to update navigational charts.
Bienvenu credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Metairie.
“My professor, Dr. Ioup, at the University of New Orleans has worked with Navy Oceanography for years, so I learned a lot from her that was helpful to what I do in the Navy,” said Bienvenu.
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.”
Bienvenu 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 for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community and career, Bienvenu is most proud of earning graduating with a 4.0 from the master's program of applied physics.
“Having good grades along with solid recommendations helped me get this job in the Navy,” said Bienvenu.
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Bienvenu, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Bienvenu is honored to carry on that family tradition.
“Both of my grandfathers served in the military,” said Bienvenu. "One grandfather was in the Army during World War II, and my other grandfather was a radiology technician in the Army. My father-in-law is a retired submarine officer, and my uncle Brady was a pilot for the Navy.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Bienvenu and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
"I joined the Army out of high school, and almost immediately after I got out, I looked for ways to get back into the military,” added Bienvenu. "I'm very happy about where I am right now. This is probably the happiest I've ever been because I'm doing something I enjoy and making a positive difference."
As a Navy division officer, Bienvenu is responsible for coordination, logistics and training for sailors who work on small boats to update navigational charts.
Bienvenu credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Metairie.
“My professor, Dr. Ioup, at the University of New Orleans has worked with Navy Oceanography for years, so I learned a lot from her that was helpful to what I do in the Navy,” said Bienvenu.
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.”
Bienvenu 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 for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community and career, Bienvenu is most proud of earning graduating with a 4.0 from the master's program of applied physics.
“Having good grades along with solid recommendations helped me get this job in the Navy,” said Bienvenu.
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Bienvenu, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Bienvenu is honored to carry on that family tradition.
“Both of my grandfathers served in the military,” said Bienvenu. "One grandfather was in the Army during World War II, and my other grandfather was a radiology technician in the Army. My father-in-law is a retired submarine officer, and my uncle Brady was a pilot for the Navy.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Bienvenu and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
"I joined the Army out of high school, and almost immediately after I got out, I looked for ways to get back into the military,” added Bienvenu. "I'm very happy about where I am right now. This is probably the happiest I've ever been because I'm doing something I enjoy and making a positive difference."