Master Gunnery Sergeant Benedict assumed the role of Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Commanding General of the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory in 2022. In addition, he serves as an infantry subject matter expert within the MCWL Experiment Division.
Master Gunnery Sergeant Benedict enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1994. Upon graduation of recruit training, he attended the School of Infantry at Camp Geiger, North Carolina. Upon completion of SOI, he attained the military occupation specialty of 0331 Machine Gunner and received orders to 2d Battalion 8th Marines.
At 2d Battalion, 8th Marines, he was assigned to Fox Company, Weapons Platoon where he served as gunner and team leader. In 1996 he deployed to the Mediterranean as part of the Ground Combat Element of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit Special Operations Capable. Following his return from the 24th MEUSOC, he deployed to Port Au Prince Haiti where he conducted stability and humanitarian operations as part of a contingency force mobilized by US Southern Command. After returning from Haiti, he conducted a third deployment as part of the Unit Deployment Program to Camp Schwab, Okinawa Japan.
In 1999 he moved to Weapons and Field Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina where he served as a Primary Marksmanship Instructor. During that time Master Gunnery Sergeant Benedict was selected to be a member of the MCRD shooting team and represented the installation in the Competition in Arms Program. He further distinguished himself by winning the Eastern Division Matches held at Camp Lejeune, NC. In 2000, he competed in the Eastern Division Matches and won both the Rifle and Pistol competitions earning both the Distinguished Marksman and Distinguished Pistol Shot badges. He was selected for further competition at the All-Marine Corps Championship held at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina where he earned top honors as the high rifle and pistol shooter in the competition, earning the McDougal, Walsh and Lauch Heimer Trophies respectively.
In 2003 Master Gunnery Sergeant Benedict began his service at 1st Battalion 3d Marines, Marine Corps Base Hawaii where he served as Platoon Sergeant, Bravo Company, 3d platoon and trained to deploy his platoon as the Maritime Special Purpose Force supporting the 31st MEU. In 2004 he deployed to Okinawa Japan as part of the GCE of the 31st MEU. In 2004 the unit forward deployed to Camp Fallujah in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom where they conducted combat operations and participated in Operation Phantom Fury.
In 2005, Master Gunnery Sergeant Benedict joined the Marine Corps Shooting Team where he represented the Marine Corps while competing in national and international competitions. In 2007 he won the National High Power Service Rifle Championships and established a new national match record and took on the role of Company Gunnery Sergeant 3d Battalion 5th Marines, Lima Company. In 2008 he deployed to Okinawa Japan as the GCE of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. In 2010, the unit deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. While in Afghanistan, Master Gunnery Sergeant Benedict served as the Operations Chief of an Embedded Training Team partnered with the 2/215th Corps, Afghan Army in Sangin District, Helmand Province. In 2012 Gunnery Sergeant Benedict served as the Weapons Company Operations Chief. In 2012 the unit deployed as the Ground Combat Element for the 15th MEU. In 2013, Master Gunnery Sergeant Benedict joined the I Marine Expeditionary Force, G-7 Special Operations Training Group.
At I MEF SOTG, Master Gunnery Sergeant Benedict served as the unit Operations Chief and Exercise Branch Senior Non-Commissioned Officer where he was responsible for designing, coordinating and evaluating service level exercises for 11th, 13th and 15th MEUs. In 2015, Master Sergeant Benedict received orders to 1st Battalion 4th Marines.
At 1st Battalion 4th Marines, Master Gunnery Sergeant Benedict served as the Weapons Company Operations Chief and deployed to Darwin Australia as part of the Marine Rotational Force-Darwin 15.2. where he served as the Fire Support Coordination Center-Chief. Upon returning from deployment, he received orders to the 15th MEU Command Element.
From February 2016 to February 2017 Master Gunnery Sergeant Benedict served as the 15th MEU Headquarters Command where he was responsible for the integration of USMC units with the Navy Amphibious Ready Group as it prepared the USS AMERICA for its maiden deployment.
In 2017 Master Gunnery Sergeant was assigned to 2d Battalion 4th Marines where he served as Battalion Operations Chief from 2017 to 2019. During this time the unit deployed as the GCE for MRF-D 18.2 to Darwin Australia.
In 2019 Master Gunnery Sergeant Benedict moved to 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii as the Regimental Operations Chief before assuming his current position.
Master Gunnery Sergeant Benedict's personal decorations include: Purple Heart Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with two gold stars, Navy Commendation Medal with “V” Device and four gold stars, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with gold star and the Combat Action Ribbon with gold star.