Upon completion of FRAM MK II, on 15 February 1963, BENNER departed Long Beach Naval Shipyard for two months of refresher training.

After refresher training, BENNER joined CARDIV NINETEEN with DESDIV 232 and commenced extensive ASW training in order to be prepared for the forthcoming WESTPAC deployment.

On 1 August 1963, CDR P. D. JOHNSTON, JR. relieved CDR E. M. WILMARTH as Commanding Officer.

Early in August, BENNER sailed with CARDIV NINETEEN for an Alaskan visit. Enroute, BENNER stopped in Seattle, Washington, in order to join in the annual "Seafair" festivities. While in Alaska, BENNER visited the capital, Juneau. BENNER also visited the island of Kodiak before returning to her homeport of Long Beach.

On 18 November 1963, BENNER left for Hawaii for three weeks of ASW training. At this time, DASH was fully operational and was used extensively in the ASW exercises.

As part of CARDIV NINETEEN HUK Group, BENNER participated in an ASW demonstration for the Secretary of the Navy.

At present, BENNER will be participating in short ASW exercises before deploying on 20 February 1964, for WESTPAC as part of a highly trained ready HUK force.

On 1 January 1964, Commander Destroyer Division 232 broke his flag aboard BENNER. On 20 February, the BENNER departed for the Far East as part of Antisubmaring Warfare Group FIVE composed of USS BENNINGTON (CVS 20), Destroyer Division 232 and Air Group 59. In Pearl, the group was joined by Destroyer Division 251 and the HUK group assisted BENNINGTON in her Operational Readiness Inspection. On 13 to 15 March, BENNER visited the Island of Maui for rest and relaxation. On 23 March, the HUK Group continued on its way and arrived in Yokosuka, Japan, on 20 April as Task Group 70.4. Beppu and Sasebo were the next stops. On 11 May, HUK Group departed Sasebo for Hong Kong, arriving 20 May for a stay of six days. Late May found the BENNER off the coast of the Philippines participating in a major combined SEATO Exercise, Operation LIGTAS. Destroyer Division 232 took leave of ASWGRU FIVE on 1 June, and spent the month of June on the Taiwan Patrol with BENNER operating out of Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

On 30 June, Commander Destroyer Division 232 shifted his flag to the USS EVERSOLE (DD 789). The remainder of the deployment was taken up with more minor ASW operations and the HUK Group returned to CONUS on 12 August 1964.

The period from August 1964, to April 1965, was occupied with ASW exercises and local operations off the South California coast interrupted by relatively long periods in the homeport of Long Beach.

On 14 November 1964, Commander ROBERT J. TRIBBLE relieves Commander P. D. JOHNSTON, JR. and became the ship's fourteenth commanding officer.

On 5 February 1965, while steaming off Long Beach, the ship was struck by a whale swimming beneath the surface. The resultant damage to the starboard strut bearing the starboard propeller necessitated a ten-day repair period at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard in the latter part of February.

On April 1965, BENNER and DESDIV 232, with USS HORNET (CVS 12) became part of Antisubmarine Warfare Group ONE, commanded by Rear Admiral E. P. AURAND, and began a series of local ASW operations leading up to the ship's sixth WESTPAC deployment since rejoining the Pacific Fleet. In May, on one of these exercises, BENNER conducted the first in-flight refueling of a helicopter from a ship.

In June 1965, BENNER and ASW GROUP ONE participated in Pacific Midshipmen Training Cruise 1965, and embarked thirty-five Midshipmen for a two-week cruise to Seattle. In July during a five-day shoot on the San Clemente Island range, the Commanding General, First Marine Division qualified BENNER for both day and night shore bombardment.

On 12 August 1965, BENNER and the rest of the ASW Group ONE departed Long Beach for a six-month deployment to the Western Pacific. On 19 August, ASW Group ONE, now augmented by DESDIV 251, commenced its ten-day Operational Readiness Evaluation in the waters south and west of the Hawaiian chain. The Task Group returned to Pearl Harbor on 28 August and commenced a two-week upkeep period.