Rear Admiral Edwin T. Layton Leadership Award Presented to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet Sailor

TAMPA, Fla. – The Rear Admiral Edwin T. Layton Leadership Award was presented to Cmdr. Benjamin DeWitt, collections and targets department head, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet (NAVCENT/C5F), Sept. 16, 2026.

"I am truly humbled to have received the nomination and award,” said DeWitt. “So much of what led to this award was made possible through the incredible work of my leadership, junior officers and Sailors in the unit. It would not have been possible without them.”

The prestigious Rear Admiral Edwin T. Layton Leadership Award was established in 2001 and recognizes mid-senior active duty or Reserve personnel from the naval intelligence community who display outstanding leadership and mentorship in the furtherance of naval intelligence performance.

DeWitt emphasized his selection was a reflection of the talent and success of his Sailors during a time of high operational tempo; his team has impacted day-to-day operations and the mission at the highest levels of government.

“One of the lessons I received early on in my career about mentorship and leadership, which I still carry with me today, is if you want to learn about leadership, go where the fight is,” said DeWitt. “In my current role at NAVCENT, I am able to apply this by assessing the strengths of my unit, apply broad guidance and trusting my team to execute.”

Capt. Matthew Smidt, chief of staff, #_msocom_1NAVCENT/C5F, attributed DeWitt’s selection to his steadfast commitment in ensuring his team feels supported and has what they need to drive results.

“DeWitt fought for the support his team required across the board during a time of high operational tempo. His tireless encouragement and steadfast leadership guided him as a mentor to the next generation of junior officers and Sailors confronting this kind of crisis for the first time,” said Smidt. “In addition to providing support to his team, he drove the broader intelligence and targeting effort supporting the Fleet. His unmatched foresight and commitment to the mission has yielded numerous dividends.”

DeWitt offered the following leadership advice for intelligence officers and Sailors entering the community:

“Not everyone learns how to be a leader or mentor the same way,” said DeWitt. “Take the opportunity to learn how to be a leader through feedback, be open to knowing there are going to be good and bad moments… those moments shape not only you as a leader, but the relationships with those around you.”

DeWitt also emphasized the vital role of family support throughout his career.

“The accomplishments I have shared with the team is truly because of the sacrifices and support we have received from our families,” said DeWitt. “We owe all of our successes to them.”

The awards namesake, Rear Adm. Edwin T. Layton, was known for his code-breaking techniques during World War II in support of Adm. Chester Nimitz. Layton’s technique provided information vital to winning the Battle of Midway.

DeWitt, a native of Hartwell, Georgia, currently serves as the collections and targets department head for NAVCENT/C5F. Commissioned through Cornell University's Navy ROTC program, DeWitt is a naval intelligence officer, who has served in multiple global assignments. His leadership roles include Director of the Maritime Intelligence Operations Center for C5F, Naval Attache to Azerbaijan, and intelligence advisor in Saudi Arabia, alongside tactical deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Dewitt holds a bachelor's degree from Cornell and master's degrees from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, the University of London, and the Army Command and General Staff College.

NAVCENT/C5F is the maritime component commander of U.S. Central Command, whose area of responsibility encompasses nearly 2.5 million square miles of water area and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. This expanse, comprised of 21 countries, includes three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, Suez Canal, and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait at the southern tip of Yemen.

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