Petty Officer 1st Class Amanda Bruno, a native of Bethel, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility, Virginia Capes (FACSFAC VACAPES). Bruno graduated from Bethel High School in 2005. "My foundation as the person I am today was shaped by the ROTC program in my hometown," Bruno said. "My instructors were incredible fathers who instilled in me the values of responsibility and discipline. The lessons I learned from them continue to guide me in my career and life."
Bruno joined the Navy 19 years ago. Today, Bruno serves as an air traffic controller. "I joined to do something different from everyone else," Bruno said. "I didn’t have the opportunity to go to school, so I saw the Navy as a way to eventually get my education and gain stability."
Bruno has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service. "In my career, it’s not so much about me anymore, it’s about my junior sailors and how I can prepare them to become subject matter experts," Bruno said. "At this point in my career, my accomplishments are secondary to how I feel about my junior sailors. I want to boost them up and leave the fleet better than I found it."
Bruno is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible. "I want to thank Lt. Cmdr. Dwindles, Master Sgt and my family for their unwavering support," Bruno added. "Special thanks to my mom, Debbie Done, for her endless support and care packages during deployments, and to my husband, Anthony Bruno, for his sacrifices. I also want to thank my two children, Evelyn and Charlotte, for being my motivation and strength."