(Focusing on the fun of my military experience. Not training or missions!

I was 18 years old and landed in Chicago.  Snow everywhere and next thing I knew I was loading a van.  We were all scared to talk.  We sat in our seats until we arrived to base and then the hustle began.  For the next 3 months I would spend Thanksgiving and Christmas with complete strangers and it had been my choice!

My Choice! I called home and couldn’t complain. I had signed up to serve my country and for the next 4 years I did just that.  My job was Communications (Radioman now IT) and I spent my entire 4 years on ships!

I traveled to Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, Korea, Middle East, and the last year I spent in Washington State.  I signed up to serve my country.  I wanted to GIVE and gained so much instead!

Life on a ship was unique.  You learn of double sided tape and applied it to all your belongings!! I was on an oiler and if we were out of fuel we rocked back and forth so bad we literally walked on walls! We played games, watched movies, and cards!! I was Spades Queen! We would have “Swim Call” and I am sure I left everyone with something to remember:

I was on the USS Fife in Washington State and we had deployed on a Cruise.  The Captain announced “Swim Call” and I couldn’t wait to get into the ocean!! There I was wanting to make an impression and after a few jumps I decided to be a Show Off and dive!  People had video cameras and I will never forget doing my “Awesome Dive” where in slow motion it was anything but awesome and became the worse “Belly Flop” I have ever done!!  It hurt SO bad and the flop made such a loud noise that it silenced over 100 people…..I think that’s the reason my belly is permanently RED!! JK

I loved the Military travel, my friends and the experiences that I learned.  I am from Arizona and had to endure Chicago weather which was in itself an experience.  Seven layers of clothes and a Ski Mask to keep us warm!

I gained experiences that 10ish years later I am still talking about.  I gained a title of a Veteran that I am proud to have earned!  I gained friendships of Gold that I can still call and have so much to talk about! I gained a sense of discipline that can’t be written in books or explained.  Experiences that are dear to my heart and Friendships that I will never forget.

I am honored and blessed to have served in our USN!!