Stefanie Antosh’s dedication to service runs deep, rooted in her family’s strong military background. With a mother who retired from the California National Guard and a father who served in the Marine Corps, it was no surprise that Stefanie felt the call to serve, especially following the 9/11 attacks. While attending community college at the time, she enlisted in the Delayed Entry Program and shipped out for bootcamp after completing her spring semester.
Stefanie’s journey began at the Defense Information School (DINFOS) at Fort Meade, where she trained in basic and intermediate photography. She was then assigned to the Pre-Commissioning Unit Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) in Norfolk, VA, where she became a Photographer’s Mate and plank owner. For two years, she documented daily shipboard operations and flight operations, earning a meritorious promotion to Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class (E4).
After her assignment on the Ronald Reagan, Stefanie moved to Fleet Imaging Center and Combat Camera Center Pacific in San Diego. There, she was named Junior Sailor of the Quarter, quickly advancing to Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class (E5). She was also selected to attend Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) school for Combat Camera operations.
Stefanie’s career took her to the USS Frank Cable (AS-40) in Guam, where she led the ship’s photo lab, documenting daily operations despite a tragic steam-valve rupture that claimed the lives of six sailors. She later received a special shore assignment to NATO Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Belgium, where she became the public relations advisor and took charge of a community magazine.
Her time at SHAPE helped her develop a professional portfolio, which led to acceptance into the Military Visual Journalism Program at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. Stefanie graduated on the Dean’s List, also earning a professional certificate in broadcast journalism.
Stefanie’s journey then took her to Fleet Combat Camera Pacific in San Diego, where she trained for a combat deployment to Afghanistan, supporting special operations forces in Kandahar. She spent six months documenting village stability operations with U.S. Army special operations forces, earning a promotion to Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (E6). Stefanie’s military service ended in 2014 with a medical discharge due to combat-related injuries.
Over her twelve years of active duty in the U.S. Navy, Stefanie received numerous accolades, including the Enlisted Air Warfare Specialist badge, Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist badge, Expeditionary Warfare Specialist badge, two Joint Commendation Medals, a NATO Achievement Medal, three Good Conduct Medals, and several flag letters of commendation.
Following her military career, Stefanie faced the challenge of transitioning into civilian life. She is now pursuing a degree in Public Relations and Marketing from Ashford University and works as a Social Media Manager and Command Information Specialist with the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command at Fort Eustis. Stefanie remains committed to serving her community and volunteers with The Mission Continues, a nonprofit supporting veterans, as well as the Neighborhood Resource Center of Greater Fulton in Richmond, where she helps develop strategic communication and social media plans.
Stefanie is passionate about mentoring youth and, upon graduation later this year, looks forward to teaching photography, video, and social media to kids at the NRC in Fulton.
Branch Partner Dave Walker from the Richmond branch was proud to present Stefanie Antosh with her Hometown Hero award, recognizing her continued dedication to service both in the military and her community.
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