Chief Lafayette Bonner will celebrate his retirement from the U.S. Navy on Aug. 2 at the Naval Air Station in Meridian.
He enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 18 and reported to Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill., in March 1992.
He reported to the Helantisubron ELEVEN (HS-11) at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla., in June of 1992 and deployed onboard USS America (CV-66) where he made two Mediterranean deployments and was initiated as a trusted Shellback. In July 1996, he transferred to Personnel Support Detachment located at Naval Air Station Cecil Field, Fla., and earned his advancement to Petty Officer Third Class.
In September 1999, he returned to Naval Air Station Jacksonville where he was attached to Patron SIXTEEN (VP-16). He deployed to Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sicily (September 1999 and 2003) and Naval Station Keflavik, Iceland in 2001. In 2002, he advanced to Second Class Petty Officer and was selected Sailor of the Year.
In April 2004, Bonner was transferred to Personnel Support Detachment located at Naval Air Station Jacksonville. While there, he was advanced to Petty Officer First Class and assigned as the Leading Petty Officer for the detachment. During this tour, he was deployed as an Individual Augmentee to Bagram, Afghanistan, where he was assigned to Joint Task Force Paladin as the Administrative Leading Petty Officer. Upon returning, he was selected as PSD’s 2007 Sailor of the Year.
In March 2008, Bonner reported to the Disbursing Afloat School, Norfolk, Va., earning his 2905 NEC prior to reporting onboard USS DeWert (FFG-45), Mayport, Fla., as the Deputy Disbursing Officer. In August 2008, he was selected for advancement to the rank of Chief Petty Officer and was assigned as the S-2, S-3, and Administrative Leading Chief Petty Officer. He completed a counter-narcotics deployment off the coast of South America and a counter-piracy deployment off the coast of east Africa during this tenure.
In September 2010, Bonner reported to Journeyman Instructor Training, Naval Station Kings Bay, Ga., where he earned his 9502 NEC to become a Naval Instructor. He reported to Naval Technical Training Center Meridian, MS in October 2010 where he was assigned as the Personnel “A” School Course Supervisor.
He earned his Associate of Arts degree in Multidisciplinary Studies from Grantham University and is currently enrolled at Full Sail University, earning his bachelor’s degree in music production. In addition to multiple unit and campaign awards, Bonner’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (seven awards), Army Commendation Medal, and the Army Achievement Medal (two awards). He has also qualified as an Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist, Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist and Master Training Specialist.
Bonner is the son of Jimmy and Bennie Bonner of Columbus and is a 1991 of Caldwell High School.
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