HMC ANABERTA Y. BENITEZ
Senior Enlisted Leader, Fleet Surgical Team FOUR
01 August 2025
A native of Harlingen Texas, HMC Benitez began her Naval career February 3
rd, 2003 at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois, where she attended boot camp and Hospital Corpsman “A” School. She went on to serve her first tour of duty at Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton, California, charting a course towards the completion of her technical proficiency in Surgical Technologist “C” School at the Naval School of Health Sciences, San Diego, California in July 2006.
In January 2007, she reported to Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton assigned to the Main Operating Room where she became the Senior Service Technologist for General Surgery and Obstetrics and Gynecology services. During her tenure, she deployed with the USNS Mercy in support of Pacific Partnership 2008; She was instrumental in transforming 12 Operating Rooms into a fully functioning surgical suite supporting 51operative days and over $4 million in surgical care to foreign nationals.
In January 2011, she reported to Naval Hospital Jacksonville, where she became the Leading Petty Officer for Central Sterilization and Reprocessing (CSR) Department. She later volunteered for a 9 month IA deployment to Forward Operating Base Apache, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2012. While deployed, she served as a trauma team lead, where she was vital in the care of 315 U. S. and coalition trauma patients and 185 surgical procedures. Upon completion of duty in Jacksonville, Chief Benitez reported to Naval Branch Health Clinic Diego Garcia, in March 2014, for a one year tour, where she served as the sole surgical technologist for the island.
In April 2015, she reported to Navy Expeditionary Medical Support Command, Williamsburg, VA, serving as the Medical Configuration Specialist for the Operating Room, Anesthesia, and Post Anesthesia Care Unit AMALS; In 2018 she became the Design Department Leading Petty Officer. During her tour, she assisted with the successful deployment of the initial Expeditionary Medical Unit to Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, provided Technical Assist Visits to Guantanamo Bay, and selected as Command Senior Sailor of the Year.
In February 2019, she transferred to the USS Gerald R. Ford. Initially, she served as the Leading Petty Officer for the Dental Department and later transitioned to the Leading Petty Officer for the Medical Department. While onboard, she earned her Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist and Enlisted Air Warfare Specialist designations. In March 2022, she transferred to Navy Medicine and Readiness Training Unit Albany, GA, serving as the Senior Enlisted Leader.
She is currently the Command Senior Enlisted Leader for Fleet Surgical Team FOUR. Her personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (6th award), Navy Commendation Medal (2nd award), Good Conduct Medal (7th Award), Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, along with various service awards.