The ship trained extensively in the Baltic Sea throughout 1932 and 1933, and also made several goodwill cruises overseas.

Detached from this duty in the spring of 1923, she steamed to Japan for a goodwill cruise before proceeding to Chefoo for summer maneuvers.

In 1924-1925, the ship sailed on a goodwill cruise to South America.

She conducted her first major goodwill cruise in 1948, to East Africa, the Seychelles, and Mauritius.

During this time the ship conducted goodwill cruises to ports on the United States West Coast.

She was assigned to an antisubmarine warfare group and continued these operations until 6 February 1959 when she made a goodwill cruise to South America.

With the easing of tensions, she began preparations for a goodwill cruise to Africa, and departed Newport 15 February 1963.

Benham began her first overseas Atlantic deployment the next spring, sailing on a European goodwill cruise on 22 April 1952.

Next, she departed for a European goodwill cruise on 26 October.

After several weeks preparation, she got underway, in mid-September, for a three-month goodwill cruise to South America.