11/11/2025
🇺🇸 Veterans Day Tribute – Honoring Former SGT Benjamin A. Stanfield 🇺🇸
This Veterans Day, we proudly honor former Sergeant Benjamin A. Stanfield for his remarkable 15 years of service to our nation and his unwavering dedication to his community.
Benjamin’s journey of service began in the United States Navy, where he served as a Master-at-Arms Petty Officer 3rd Class, conducting law enforcement, anti-terrorism, and security operations at home and abroad. He also served as a Patrol Officer at the Naval Base in Athens, Georgia, ensuring the safety and security of personnel, property, and critical infrastructure. His professionalism, discipline, and leadership in law enforcement operations established the foundation for a lifelong career of service. He served in combat operations under Combined Joint Task Force 101 (CJTF-101) with the 101st Airborne Division in Afghanistan, where he carried a long list of responsibilities vital to mission success. His role required coordination of logistics, personnel readiness, convoy operations, and security under combat conditions.
After transitioning to the United States Army, Benjamin continued to excel as a Non-Commissioned Officer, demonstrating outstanding leadership and dedication. His leadership, integrity, and commitment to excellence led him to rise to the position of Platoon Sergeant.
Benjamin’s military background and record of service are so extensive that it is difficult to address it all in one tribute.
His professional training is equally vast—spanning combat lifesaver certification, urban warfare tactics, cargo operations, riot control, and advanced incident command (ICS-300 and 400). He holds over 35 FEMA, GEMA, and GPSTC certifications, including Rescue Specialist, EOC Management and Operations, SWAT Level 1, Structural Fire Control, and several other advanced fire service courses such as Emergency Vehicle Operations, Forcible Entry, Hazardous Materials Awareness, and Fireground Strategy & Tactics, showcasing his lifelong dedication to public safety and professional excellence.
Benjamin’s service to others began early with his parents and his older brother being heavily envolved with youth ministry. Following 9-11 he knew he had to do serve. He started giving back to his community at just 14 years old as a Fire Explorer, and he has continued to serve every community he’s been part of — no matter where his military or public safety career has taken him. He went on to serve as a Volunteer Firefighter for 9 years, continuing his passion for helping others and protecting lives and property.
He now serves as the Training Officer and Water Operations Division Lead Dive Officer for Stephens County Search & Rescue (EMA Unit). In that role, he develops lifesaving programs, leads complex water operations, and mentors the next generation of rescuers and public safety professionals.
Benjamin is also a highly accomplished Public Safety Diving Instructor, specializing in underwater operations, rescue, and evidence recovery. He teaches a comprehensive list of professional diving courses through an internationally recognized training agency, including Underwater Crime Scene Investigation, Rescue Diver, and Public Safety Diver programs, among many others. He holds over 80 professional scuba instructor ratings, reflecting his unmatched dedication to advancing dive safety, education, and leadership within the underwater community. A lifelong learner, Benjamin proudly considers himself a student of life, believing that continuing education and self-development are essential to his daily mission and success.
A decorated veteran, educator, and community servant, Benjamin also uses his skills as a certified scuba instructor to help fellow veterans through PTSD immersion therapy diving, helping them rediscover peace, confidence, and purpose beneath the surface.
On this Veterans Day, we salute SGT Benjamin A. Stanfield — a man whose unwavering dedication to duty, honor, and service continues to inspire both in and out of uniform.
