Tammi Zarzycki:  

t Training Command Orlando, Aug 11th, 1992. My friends Gina Ninicheck & her sister went too. I was in the 1st class of CO-ED Companies. I had a male bunkmate, Scott! We all had to dress/undress/use the head/sometimes even shower within site of males & females. Navy bootcamp was all about education & discipline. We didn't roll around in the mud. It was more technical. I was Education Petty Officer. It lasted 14 weeks, the longest among the Branches of Service. It wasn't as extreme as expected, but you had to want it to actually graduate. The Orlando heat fried the Grinder (concrete slab for marching & PT) & it burned blisters onto our hands when we had to do pushups outside. We had to drink 10 canteens of water a day to keep from dehydrating. Hurricane Andrew hit us hard. I almost died when I received an inoculation for smallpox. I was allergic to it. I was back in the Company sweating again after only 5 days. My choice. Like I said, you had to want it. I earned Expert Pistol Qualifications while there. Only one in 80 people, men & women. Then I went to Aerographer's Mate Meteorology & Oceanography School at now defunct Chanute A.F.B. in Rantoul, IL. I received over 45 college credits in 3 months. I received a Letter of Commendation for serving in the Honor Guard. We partied as hard as we worked. On weekends, my shipmates & I would go to Champaign, IL and have drinks at the University of Illinois area clubs. The school was tough. Only 3 hours rest most school days. STANDING DUTY GOT YOU ZERO HOURS SLEEP. We started with 30 people, only graduated 6. THE HARDEST SCHOOL IN THE NAVY EXCEPT NUCLEAR PROPULSION SCHOOL. By the way, I did get into that school, passing the exam. Ready except for 1 qualification: You had to be a man. After graduating "A" school Salutatorian, I chose Shore Duty orders to NAVPACMETOCFAC Yokosuka, Japan and served as PR Liaison, Security, Command Duty Officer, Weather Reporter on AFRTS TV, and escorted Dignitaries for the CO. I made Anti-Sub oceanic charts, weather charts for briefing Skippers & Aviators, and operated the military satellites in orbit. I had to take an early retirement with a 100% Service Connected disability. URGE YOUR CHILDREN TO SERVE! Uncle Sam has CONTINUED GIVING ME BENEFITS (MONEY) SINCE I JOINED. Even now, Sign up bonuses, College NOW $900 mo paid TO YOU, Free medical, prescriptions, dental, and $$,$$$+ inflation for Disability Compensation for the rest of my life, small business loans, & home loans. THE NAVY TAKES CARE OF IT'S OWN. I WISH I WAS STILL ON ACTIVE DUTY. I received Letters of Commendation, College Credit, Letters of Recommendation, National Defence Service Medal, Expert Pistol Qualification, & Recruit Petty Officer.