The Power of Positive Leadership with Retired Fleet Master Chief Scott Benning - a podcast by Bob Feller Act of Valor Foundation

Retired Fleet Master Chief Scott Benning speaks about the opportunities presented by the military for individuals to improve themselves while serving one’s country and receiving an education. It is vital to our country that the military is on the leading edge of technology and human capital development. Chief Benning speaks about the sacrifices people make in life and the meaning of a purpose driven life, including setting goals and overcoming setbacks. The more one puts into something, the more one receives from their efforts. You get in life what you give in life. Scott speaks about learning from our mistakes and passing that information on to the future generation. His book Power of Positive Leadership “challenges you to focus on your personal attitude, focus, and the importance of growing yourself so you can grow others to strengthen your team and grow a positive attitude” (pop-leadership.com). ICE leadership includes three steps: inspire, challenge, and empower. 

Scott Benning entered the Naval Service June 22, 1983. He served as a Logistic Specialist for 15 years at the following commands: Naval Ocean Processing Facility Dam Neck, VA, USS COMTE DE GRASSE (DD 974) Norfolk, VA, Underwater Construction Team One, Virginia Beach, VA, USS GUNSTON HALL (LSD 44) Virginia Beach, VA, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, VA, and USS DETROIT (AOE 4) Earle, NJ.

In 1999 he was selected as a Command Master Chief and served at the following commands: Fighter Squadron ONE ZERO THREE and Carrier Air Wing SEVENTEEN at NAS Oceana, VA, USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73) at Norfolk, VA, and Navy Region Mid-Atlantic at Norfolk, VA.

In 2009 he was selected as the Manpower, Personnel, Training, and Education Fleet Master Chief and served as the Senior Enlisted advisor to the Chief of Naval Personnel in Washington, DC. During his time as the Fleet Master Chief he was best known for his development of Power Of Positive (POP) Leadership and the founder of the Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions (CSADD) as well as advising the Chief of Naval Personnel and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy on policy development and execution. Scott completed his 30 years of service as the Fleet Master Chief in March 2013 and resides in Stafford, Virginia with his wife of 36 years, Cheryl Benning. Both sons serve in the U.S. Navy. The oldest, Anthony, serves as a navy civilian Director of Sports, Fitness, and Aquatics for Naval Station Norfolk married to his wife Darcie and two son’s Cole and Hunter. The younger son, Jason, serves as a Navy Surface Warfare Officer stationed in COMOPTEVFOR in Norfolk, Va and is married to his wife Brianna and two daughters Evelyn and Gracelyn.

Scott was sworn into service as a government service employee on July 29, 2013 and served five years in the Department of the Navy Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office, a year as the Director of Management for Director, Navy Staff and now serves as the Director of Operations for Director, Navy Staff in Washington DC.

Scott is a graduate of the Navy Senior Enlisted Academy, the Navy Corporate Business Course at the University of North Carolina, graduated from Southern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Workforce Education and Development. He has also served as a plank-owner member of the Board of Directors for the Bob Feller Act of Valor Award Foundation and is a published author of his book Power Of Positive Leadership.


Learn more about Scott and purchase his book

Bob Feller Act of Valor Award Foundation 

Hosts: Tyler Buchholz, Nathaniel Cameron, and Colin Kirk

Editor: Leo Menchetti

Special thank you to Jack Metcalfe

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