USS BENFOLD (DDG 65)
100% READY. 100% OF THE TIME.
Commanding Officer (May 2011 - October 2012) 
 
CDR David Oden
Commanding Officer (May 2011 - October 2012)
CDR David Oden was raised in Fortville, Indiana, and attended Ball State University. He Enlisted in the Navy in 1993 as an Aviation Ordnanceman. While attached to VFA-15 Valions in Cecil Field, Florida, he received a direct commission through Officer Candidate School graduating in June, 1995.

His sea tours include USS FORT FISHER (LSD-40), where he served as Electrical and Auxiliary division officer and finished as 2nd Deck Division Officer. In March 1998, CDR Oden reported aboard USS MILIUS (DDG-69) where he served as the Fire Control Officer. While assigned to MILIUS, he was selected to attend the Leadership Education and Development Masters Program through the Naval Postgraduate School. In May 2004, CDR Oden reported onboard USS CHOSIN (CG-65) as the Weapons Officer and completing that tour as the Combat System Officer.

CDR Oden’s tours ashore include a two year Company Officer tour at the United States Naval Academy where he completed his Masters. In April 2007, he reported to the United States Joint Forces Command in Norfolk, Virginia as the Joint Data Integration Branch Chief and finished his tour as the Data Services and Strategy Branch chief. He completed his Joint Professional Military Education (JPME II) at the Joint Forces Staff College while at JFCOM.

Oden’s awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Navy Commendation Medal; Navy Achievement Medal and various unit and service awards.

 NEWS
Sailors from BENFOLD's Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure Team (VBSS) conduct a boarding on the training ship ATLS.
Sailors From USS Benfold Conduct Boarding on the Training Ship ATLS
Sailors from BENFOLD's Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure Team (VBSS) conduct a boarding on the training ship ATLS.
Class 11002 graduation ceremony
Class 11002 Graduation Ceremony
SAN DIEGO, CA -- Ens. Caitlin Castello cuts the cake warrior style, celebrating the graduation of Class 11002 from the Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) Introduction Course, as Vice Adm. D.C Curtis, Commander, Naval Surface Forces; Vice Adm. (Ret.) John Nyquist, President of the San Diego Surface Naval Association; and Lt. Diane Mayhugh, SWO Introduction Course Coordinator guide her.
Senior Chief Gunner’s Mate Fager frocks Gunner’s Mate First Class Scheuller as Gunner’s Mate Second Class Holmes awaits his turn
BENFOLD Sailors Excel and Advance as the Ship Goes Back in the Water
SAN DIEGO, CA (June 22, 2011) – BENFOLD recently frocked 23 hard-charging Petty Officers to the next highest rank. Congratulations to the following leaders!
RADM David Gale visits USS Benfold
120731-N-ZZ999-002 MINA SALMAN PIER, Bahrain - Cmdr. Dave Oden, commanding officer of guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65), left, holds a command coin presented to him by Rear Adm. David Gale, commander, Navy Regional Maintenance Command.
USS Benfold (ddg65)
USS Benfold Departs for Deployment
SAN DIEGO - The guided-missile destroyer, USS Benfold (DDG 65), is scheduled to depart for a scheduled eight month, independent deployment to the Western Pacific and U.S. Central Command areas of responsibility (AOR) in support of Navy Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD).
USS BENFOLD (DDG65) E-4 Sailors Take Enlisted Advancement Exam
USS BENFOLD (DDG 65) Sailors Take Enlisted Advancement Exams Prepared and Relaxed
SAN DIEGO, CA – Sailors from USS BENFOLD have gathered at the Pier 2 Starbucks every Thursday for three weeks for something other than coffee. They are there to muster for the Navy Advancement Exam, which is held in a spacious classroom off ship at LCSRON.
USS Benfold Successfully Completed Engineering Certification
Sailors from Benfold's Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure Team conduct a boarding on the training ship ATLS.
An SH-60 Seahawk of HSC-23 stationed aboard USS Benfold assisted four stranded mariners near San Clemente Island
USS Benfold assists stranded mariners
SAN DIEGO – The guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) assisted four stranded mariners in the waters off San Clemente Island while conducting routine training operations in the Pacific Ocean.
USS Benfold DDG 65
Holiday Light Display Aboard USS Benfold (DDG 65)
SAN DIEGO (Dec. 10, 2011) The guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) displays holiday lights while pierside at Naval Base San Diego. (U.S. Navy photo by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Joe Kane/Released)
USS Benfold (ddg65)
Tomahawk Land Attack Missile Exercises
SAN DIEGO – USS BENFOLD (DDG 65) successfully launched two Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAM) on January 25th during a training exercise off the southern coast of California.
USS Benfold (ddg65)
Benfold hosts Mexican admirals
LA PAZ, MEXICO – Guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) hosted Mexican Navy Adm. Anselmo Diaz Cid, commander of the second naval zone, as well as other admirals and dignitaries March 15.
USS Benfold sailors successfully complete Koa Kai 2012.
USS Benfold Completes Koa Kai 2012
SAN DIEGO – USS BENFOLD (DDG 65) successfully completed Koa Kai 2012, a maritime exercise focused on preparing independent deployers in multiple warfare areas, while providing training in a multi-ship environment.
USS Benfold hosted a large tour group from the Chinese American Military Support (CAMS) on Sunday at Naval Station San Diego.
Benfold Hosts Chinese-American Fans of the U.S. Navy
USS BENFOLD (DDG 65) hosted a large tour group from the Chinese American Military Support (CAMS) non-profit organization Sunday at Naval Station San Diego. Nearly 80 visitors of all ages enjoyed a tour of BENFOLD and joined the crew for a delicious lunch on the ship's Mess Decks and in the Wardroom.
Sailors Attend US Battleship Premiere
Sailors Attend US Battleship Premiere
LOS ANGELES - Universal Pictures hosted nearly 50 Sailors for the U.S. premiere of the movie "Battleship" at the Nokia Theater L.A. Live in Los Angeles May 10.
USS Benfold Family Day Cruise 2012
Benfold Conducts Family Day Cruise 2012
San Diego, CA - USS BENFOLD (DDG 65) hosted over 250 family members and friends for BENFOLD’s Family Day Cruise 2012. The Family Day Cruise is a time where Sailors can bring their family and close friends on board to get a sense of their life on BENFOLD and get a chance to show off her capabilities.
USS Benfold departs Palau
Koror, Palau – USS BENFOLD (DDG 65) departed Koror, Palau after a scheduled four day port visit. This was BENFOLD’s first overseas port visit since deploying.
USS Benfold conducts joint exercises with Army aviators
Arabian Gulf - Guided-missile Destroyer USS BENFOLD (DDG 65) added on to their accomplishments during their deployment to the Arabian Gulf as they conducted joint exercises with Army aviators.
USS Benfold conducts ship repairs while on deployment
Arabian Gulf - Guided-missile Destroyer USS BENFOLD and her Engineering Department celebrated the success of repairing one of the ship’s gas turbine generators.
USS Benfold (DDG-65)
Benfold Engineering Department Repairs Turbine Generator
ARABIAN GULF – Guided-missile Destroyer USS Benfold’s (DDG 65) Engineering department celebrated the success of repairing one of the ship’s gas turbine generators.
Benfold Sailors Train with Soldiers
USS BENFOLD, At Sea (NNS) -- Guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) conducted joint exercises with Army aviators from Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment and 3rd Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment, Aug. 21.
Benfold Sailors Support Wounded Warrior Project
Benfold Supports Wounded Warrior Project
Arabian Gulf - Guided-missile Destroyer USS BENFOLD (DDG 65) conducted the first annual BENFOLD 100 Cable Run in support of Wounded Warrior Project.

 Served with...
CMDCM Sean Snyder

Start Date: May 2011
End Date: August 2012
CDR Richard E. LeBron

Start Date: May 2012
End Date: September 2012
FCCM Eric Henderson (Acting)

Start Date: August 2012
End Date: January 2013
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