Jennifer Suzanne Bennie

Hometown: Houston, PA

PSU Connection: Graduate

PSU Graduation Year: 1999

Degree Type: Bachelors

Major of Study: Accounting, Military History minor

Memorable moment in your Penn State career: Lavar Arrington lived across the hall from me in the Nittany Apartments. Every time he saw me in uniform he would tell me about his dad who also served. He was super proud. He waved to me on campus too so I felt super cool!!

Active Duty or Veteran: Veteran

Branch: Navy

Rank: LT

Rate/MOS: Helicopter Pilot

Where/when did you serve: NAS Pensacola, Florida 1999-2001, VT-6, HT-18, NAS North Island, California 2001-2006, HSL-41, HSL-49, Operation Iraqi Freedom USS Jarret (FFG-33), Operation Enduring Freedom USS Tarawa (LHA-1)

Awards: Navy Commendation Medal

What was your favorite military assignment/duty station and why?

Jennifer Suzanne Bennie, Navy, was one of the first female pilots in her Helicopter Squadron so her call sign was Yoko because she “broke up the band.” She earned her Naval Aviator Wings three days after 9-11. She went to NYC after her winging to see ground zero before she deployed. “I walked up to a NYC cop who was standing by the viewer platform and asked him where I could get a NYPD patch. He said all the stores were closed now. I replied, darn it, I wanted to wear one my flight suit. He looked at me Flight suit? Are you a pilot? I said yes, a Navy pilot. I just got my wings and heading out to San Diego. I wanted to wear a NYPD patch on my shoulder. He just ripped it off his coat and said Wear this. I took it from him, shocked and thanked him. I wore it on every flight through 2 deployments to Iraq.” She still has that patch.