Benton native named 2023 Senior Sailor of year

Petty Officer 1st Class Maegan Morris Findley, a native of Benton, was named 2023 Senior Sailor of the Year for Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Portsmouth, during a ceremony Nov. 3 at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, in Virginia.

Commanding Officer Capt. Brian Feldman, left, and Petty Officer 1st Class Maegan Morris Findley.

Findley, a graduate of Lawrence High School in Fairfield, also earned a degree in medical laboratory sciences in 2010 from Thomas Nelson Community College in Virginia, according to a news release from Ashley Craig, Navy Office of Community Outreach.

Findley, the daughter of Vicky and Ed Morris of Benton, joined the Navy 19 years ago.

“I joined the Navy because I wanted the opportunity to begin my life debt free,” said Findley. “And, as everyone says, the travel had some appeal.”

Findley also pointed to family tradition as a reason behind their decision to join the Navy.

“My dad and my grandfather both served four years in the Navy,” said Findley. “They talked about all the places they had been, things they’d done and the opportunities the Navy provided. My grandfather sailed around the world on the USS Ammen as a boatswain’s mate, earning his ‘Shellback’ on Jan. 22, 1954. My dad earned his ‘Bluenose’ in September 1979, when he was stationed in Keflavik, Iceland. I always enjoyed listening to their stories and wanted to make some of my own.”

Findley, who also earned her Shellback in 2011, serves as a medical laboratory technician and Leading Petty Officer of Ancillary Services across four geographically separate clinics at Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Unit Naval Station Norfolk.

“I am an advanced medical laboratory technician by trade and I roll up my sleeves now and again, but I perform more in an administrator and manager role in support of my military and civilian Ancillary Services team,” said Findley.