Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW/EXW) Kelsey J. Hockenberger is a native of Hudson, Wisconsin. She enlisted in the Navy on January 12, 2016. Following basic training graduation, she reported to the Defense Information School for A-School and graduated on September 23, 2016 as an honor graduate and recipient of the Mass Communication Specialist First Class Bobby McRill excellence award.
In October 2016, MCS1 Hockenberger reported to Navy Public Affairs Support Element West. During that time, she served aboard USS Princeton (CG 59) from March to December 2017 as an independent MC in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. In June to August 2018, MCS1 Hockenberger deployed to Hawaii as part of the public affairs team for Rim of the Pacific Exercise 2018 and deployed aboard the Royal Australian Navy HMAS Adelaide (L01), representing the U.S. Navy public affairs. From September 2018 to April 2019, MCS1 Hockenberger deployed with Commander, Task Force 75 out of Naval Base Guam, covering all expeditionary public affairs for their subordinate commands which included the humanitarian recovery efforts for Typhoon Mangkhut and Super Typhoon Yutu.
Today, MCS1 Kelsey Hockenberger is a student in the Military Visual Journalism Program at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.
