CNATRA R.C. Leadership

Reserve Component Commander

Captain Benjamin Mulinix is a native of Lithia Springs, Georgia. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree in Aerospace Engineering from Princeton University and was awarded a Master of Engineering Management degree in Operations and Supply Chain Management from Northwestern University. He received his commission from Officer Candidate School at NAS Pensacola, Florida and designated a Naval Aviator in October 2001.

Captain Mulinix completed operational assignments with Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron TWO (VQ-2) at NS Rota, Spain and NAS Whidbey Island, Washington flying the EP 3E Aries II. While assigned to VQ-2, he completed deployments to Bahrain, Sicily, Crete, and Qatar where he flew over 125 combat reconnaissance missions during Operations IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM. Shore assignments include Training Squadron TWO ONE (VT-21) Kingsville, Texas as an Advanced Strike-Flight Instructor Pilot flying the T-45A/C Goshawk.

In 2010, Captain Mulinix affiliated with the Navy Reserve as a NR VT-21 Squadron Augment Unit (SAU) Instructor Pilot. Captain Mulinix was later recalled to active duty for a 14-month mobilization to Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan where he served as Naval Special Warfare (NSW) ScanEagle Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Detachment Officer-in-Charge/UAS Mission Commander providing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance to Army Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA) Teams during Operations RESOLUTE SUPPORT and FREEDOM SENTINEL.

Additional Reserve shore assignments include NR Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) Southeast as the Navy Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer (NEPLO), FEMA Region IV in Atlanta, Georgia and Chief Staff Officer, NR U.S. SEVENTH Fleet Naval and Amphibious Liaison Element (NALE) Headquarters at JRB Fort Worth, Texas.

Captain Mulinix's Reserve command tours include the VT-21 Squadron Augment Unit at NAS Kingsville, Texas, U.S. THIRD Fleet Joint Forces Maritime Component Command Detachment Bangor at NS Bangor, Washington, and DSCA Southeast at NAS Jacksonville, Florida. He assumed duties as the Chief of Naval Air Training Reserve Component Commander in December 2025.

Captain Mulinix has accumulated over 3000 flight hours in numerous naval aircraft and his personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (Strike/Flight), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various campaign, unit, and personal awards.