James Dienes

My name is James Dienes, and I am a veteran of the United States Navy. I served from June 1998 to November 2006.

I joined the Navy through the Delayed Entry Program (DEP) while in high school, and after graduation I entered the Advanced Electronics Computer Field (AECF) as an Electronics Technician. I was stationed aboard the Aegis cruiser USS Normandy (CG-60), based out of Norfolk, Virginia. My tour aboard ship was four years, during which I had the opportunity to experience much of the world.

I successfully completed two deployments to the Mediterranean Sea and visited many different ports along the way. My primary responsibilities aboard ship were monitoring and maintaining all communications equipment as well as radar and navigational systems. I also worked closely with Interior Communications (IC) personnel, assisting with phone systems, gyros, televisions, the audio/video shop, and setting up all public address systems. We managed all movies played while at sea and conducted funerals at sea as well.

In addition, I maintained and repaired the ship’s LAN cable system, photocopiers, GPS units, and various other computer systems. I advanced to the rank of ET2 (SW) and earned my Surface Warfare pin.

After completing my sea tour, I was stationed at Brunswick Naval Air Station in Brunswick, Maine, where I served another four years working on an airfield performing many of the same technical duties as I had aboard ship. I also extended my service an additional six months to help my division during a period of personnel transitions, assisting with training new members as they arrived.

After completing my military service, I have continued to serve my community, state, and nation as a civilian federal employee. I am also an active member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.