This oral history interview was conducted by Amanda Hill on March 6, 2014. Interview topics include Partain's background, enlistment, basic training, advanced training at the Nuclear Propulsion School, the effect of the Navy's presence in Central Florida on the region, NTC Orlando, training, his illness and subsequent qualification, and life after leaving the Navy.]]>
0:00:29 Background
0:01:40 Enlistment
0:04:00 Naval Training Center Orlando and Nuclear Propulsion School
0:06:02 Naval presence in Central Florida
0:08:08 Illness and disqualification
0:11:18 Basic training, group mentality, and team-building
0:23:16 Social life and lessons learned
0:25:48 Routine, classes, and Uniform Military Code of Justice
0:28:48 Most difficult aspect of boot camp and proudest moment
0:31:50 Post-Navy life, breast cancer, and Tetrachloroethylene contamination
0:37:07 Lessons learned from the Navy
0:39:07 Legacy of NTC Orlando
0:43:25 Navy hospital
0:45:06 Closing remarks]]>
Partain, Michael. Interviewed by Amanda Hill, March 6, 2014. Audio/video record available. Item DP0014905, UCF Community Veterans History Project, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida Libraries, Orlando, Florida.]]> RICHES of Central Florida]]> Veterans History Projects, Library of Congress.]]> Partain, Michael. Interviewed by Amanda Hill, March 6, 2014. Audio/video record available. Item DP0014905, UCF Community Veterans History Project, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida Libraries, Orlando, Florida.]]> UCF Community Veterans History Project, Orlando, Florida.]]> Lone Sailor Navy Memorial History Project Collection, UCF Community Veterans History Project Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.]]> Adobe Flash Player]]> Java]]> Adobe Acrobat Reader]]> RICHES of Central Florida]]>

This interview was conducted by Chad Eric Joyner on March 15, 2014, three months before Etchison left the Navy. Interview topics include enlistment, boot camp, NTC Orlando, the Grinder, Ethcison's naval career after Orlando, and how the Orlando area has changed over time.]]>
0:01:35 Enlistment
0:02:42 Boot camp and training at Naval Training Center Orlando (NTC Orlando)
0:07:50 Taking leave and helping with recruitment
0:09:06 Relationships with other recruits
0:11:12 Instructors
0:12:58 Hardest part of NTC, proudest moment, and memorable story
0:16:22 USS Blue Jacket and the Grinder
0:20:53 NTC in comparison to other bases
0:22:15 Important locations at NTC Orlando
0:24:04 Graduation
0:24:54 Naval career after training
0:29:48 Boarding vessels and contraband searches
0:31:45 Contacts from the Navy
0:32:47 Naval values
0:36:50 How Orlando has changed over time
0:38:50 NTC€™s legacy and the Lone Sailor Memorial Project
0:42:20 Closing remarks]]>
Ethcison, Chad. Interviewed by Chad Eric Joyner, March 15, 2014. Audio record available. Item DP0014895, UCF Community Veterans History Project, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida Libraries, Orlando, Florida.]]> RICHES of Central Florida]]> Veterans History Projects, Library of Congress.]]> Ethcison, Chad. Interviewed by Chad Eric Joyner, March 15, 2014. Audio record available. Item DP0014895, UCF Community Veterans History Project, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida Libraries, Orlando, Florida.]]> UCF Community Veterans History Project, Orlando, Florida.]]> Lone Sailor Navy Memorial History Project Collection, UCF Community Veterans History Project Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.]]> Adobe Flash Player]]> Java]]> RICHES of Central Florida]]>

This oral history interview was conducted by Daniel Bradfield on March 10, 2014. Interview topics include Reuter's experiences as XO at NAWCTSD, the simulation industry, Recruit Training Center (RTC) Orlando, the Lone Sailor Memorial Project, and applying to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).]]>
0:00:38 Background
0:01:40 Joining the Navy and active duty in warzones
0:05:20 Executive Officer at Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division
0:09:35 Simulation industry
0:15:05 Post-Navy career and lessons learned from naval experience
0:16:59 Naval Training Center Orlando and the Lone Sailor Memorial Project
0:19:07 National Aeronautics and Space Administration]]>
Reuter, William. Interviewed by Daniel Bradfield, March 10, 2014. UCF Community Veterans History Project, DP0014907. Audio/video record available. UCF Community Veterans History Project, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida Libraries, Orlando, Florida.]]> RICHES of Central Florida]]> Veterans History Projects, Library of Congress.]]> Reuter, William. Interviewed by Daniel Bradfield, March 10, 2014. UCF Community Veterans History Project, DP0014907. Audio/video record available. UCF Community Veterans History Project, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida Libraries, Orlando, Florida.]]> UCF Community Veterans History Project, Orlando, Florida.]]> Lone Sailor Navy Memorial History Project Collection, UCF Community Veterans History Project Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.]]> Adobe Flash Player]]> Java]]> Adobe Acrobat Reader]]> ]]> RICHES of Central Florida]]>
Rockbridge, USS Santa Barbara in River Section 35, the USS Garcia, the USS Wisconsin, and the USS Blue Jacket. Sloane achieved the rank of Captain and earned a Purple Heart, Bronze Star with V Device, Legion of Merit, Combat Action Award, and Navy E Ribbon.

This oral history interview was conducted by Carli Van Zandt on March 5, 2014. Interview topics include Sloane's background, joining the Navy, the USS Rockbridge, Officer Candidate School (OCS), the Vietnam War, Naval Training Center (NTC) Orlando, the Grinder, the USS Blue Jacket, airbases in Central Florida, the simulation industry, and the Lone Sailor Memorial Project.]]>
0:02:52 Background
0:01:58 Enlistment and USS Rockbridge
0:05:44 Officer Candidate School
0:08:20 Graduation
0:09:53 Repair Division Officer
0:11:22 Vietnam War
0:18:09 Other assignments
0:21:52 Wife and children
0:24:18 Naval Training Center Orlando
0:27:11 Daily life and training at NTC Orlando
0:32:31 Advanced training at NTC Orlando
0:33:51 Central Florida airbases
0:35:39 Simulation industry
0:37:01 Hardest aspect, proudest moment, and memories from NTC Orlando
0:42:51 Leaving the Navy and keeping in touch with friends
0:45:22 Lessons learned, the lasting legacy of NTC Orlando, and the Lone Sailor Memorial Project]]>
Sloane, Richard T.. Interviewed by Carli Van Zandt, March 5, 2014. Audio/video record available. Item DP0014912, UCF Community Veterans History Project, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida Libraries, Orlando, Florida.]]> RICHES of Central Florida]]> Veterans History Projects, Library of Congress.]]> Sloane, Richard T.. Interviewed by Carli Van Zandt, March 5, 2014. Audio/video record available. Item DP0014912, UCF Community Veterans History Project, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida Libraries, Orlando, Florida.]]> UCF Community Veterans History Project, Orlando, Florida.]]> Lone Sailor Navy Memorial History Project Collection, UCF Community Veterans History Project Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.]]> Adobe Flash Player]]> Java]]> Adobe Acrobat Reader]]> RICHES of Central Florida]]>
Wasp, the USS Coral Sea, the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt, and the USS John F. Kennedy. He achieved the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer and earned a Navy Commendation Medal and a Navy Achievement Medal.

Pierce's daughter, Trina Cothrin (b. 1958), was born in Jacksonville, Florida, on October 13, 1958. Cothrin enlisted in the Navy in October of 1979 and served until October of 1982, when her son was born. She was then in the U.S. Naval Reserve until 1993, when she joined the U.S. Army. She left the military in 2009, after serving in Operation Enduring Freedom during the War in Afghanistan. Throughout her service, Cothrin was stationed at Naval Air Station Miramar (NAS Miramar) in California, Naval Air Station Jacksonville (NAS Jacksonville), U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) in Qatar, and MacDill Air Force Base (MacDill AFB) in Tampa. She ultimately achieved the rank of Chief Yeoman.

This oral history interview was conducted by Roger Jordan Sims on March 12, 2014. Interview topics include enlistment, boot camp, Naval Training Center Orlando (NTC Orlando), the Vietnam War, Operation Enduring Freedom and the War in Afghanistan, life after leaving the Navy, how Central Florida has changed over time, the legacy of NTC Orlando, and the Lone Sailor Memorial Project.]]>
0:01:48 Background
0:02:23 Enlistment and boot camp
0:03:57 Naval Training Center Orlando
0:07:45 Social life and relationships on base
0:12:47 Hardest part of NTC Orlando, proudest moment, and unforgettable memories
0:15:16 USS Blue Jacket and the Grinder
0:20:46 Vietnam War and the War in Afghanistan
0:23:10 Leaving the Navy and post-naval life
0:27:23 How Central Florida has changed over time
0:29:36 Legacy of NTC Orlando and the Lone Sailor Memorial Project
0:32:44 Closing remarks]]>
Pierce, Gordon. Interviewed by Roger Jordan Sims, March 12, 2014. UCF Community Veterans History Project, DP0014915. Audio/video record available. UCF Community Veterans History Project, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida Libraries, Orlando, Florida.]]> Cothrin, Trina. Interviewed by Roger Jordan Sims. UCF Community Veterans History Project, DP0014914. March 12, 2014. Audio/video record available. UCF Community Veterans History Project, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida Libraries, Orlando, Florida.]]> RICHES of Central Florida]]> Veterans History Projects, Library of Congress.]]> Pierce, Gordon. Interviewed by Roger Jordan Sims, March 12, 2014. UCF Community Veterans History Project, DP0014915. Audio/video record available. UCF Community Veterans History Project, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida Libraries, Orlando, Florida.]]> Cothrin, Trina. Interviewed by Roger Jordan Sims. UCF Community Veterans History Project, DP0014914. March 12, 2014. Audio/video record available. UCF Community Veterans History Project, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida Libraries, Orlando, Florida.]]> UCF Community Veterans History Project, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida Libraries, Orlando, Florida.]]> Lone Sailor Navy Memorial History Project Collection, UCF Community Veterans History Project Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.]]> Adobe Flash Player Java.]]> Java]]> Adobe Acrobat Reader]]> RICHES of Central Florida]]>

This interview was conducted by Mark Miller on March 28, 2014. Interview topics include Matthews' background, enlistment, training at RTC Orlando, the USS Blue Jacket, the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC), Matthews' naval career, NAWCTSD, and the Lone Sailor Memorial Project.]]>
0:01:39 Enlistment
0:03:05 Attending boot camp at Recruit Training Center Orlando
0:05:53 First impressions of and days at Naval Training Center Orlando
0:08:13 Recruits, instructors, and military leave
0:14:37 Primary responsibilities at RTC Orlando
0:16:24 USS Blue Jacket
0:18:32 Memories and proudest moment
0:20:40 The Grinder, marching, and physical fitness
0:24:30 Selecting a boot camp
0:26:34 Military leave and the Orlando area
0:28:02 Base Realignment and Closure Commission
0:32:56 Career in the Navy and the Naval Reserves
0:37:01 Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division
0:43:55 Lone Sailor Memorial Project]]>
Matthews, Robert. Interviewed by Mark Miller, March 28, 2014. Audio/video record available. Item DP0014900, UCF Community Veterans History Project, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida Libraries, Orlando, Florida.]]> RICHES of Central Florida]]> Veterans History Projects, Library of Congress.]]> Matthews, Robert. Interviewed by Mark Miller, March 28, 2014. Audio/video record available. Item DP0014900, UCF Community Veterans History Project, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida Libraries, Orlando, Florida.]]> UCF Community Veterans History Project, Orlando, Florida.]]> Lone Sailor Navy Memorial History Project Collection, UCF Community Veterans History Project Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.]]> Adobe Flash Player]]> Java]]> Adobe Acrobat Reader]]> RICHES of Central Florida]]>
Gunston Hall, at Little Creek, Virginia.

After three and a half years, Ennis trained at aircrew school in Pensacola and then Millington, Tennessee, to become an Aviation Warfare Sensor Operator and rescue swimmer for Sikorsky SH-60/MH-60 Seahawk helicopters. He also joined the fleet replacement squadron aircrew for Helicopter Squadron 1 in Jacksonville, and then reported to his first fleet squadron, Helicopter Squadron 5 (HS-5), also in Jacksonville. After completing his service for HS-5, Ennis reported to the helicopter wing as an instructor. After three years instructing, he transferred to Naval Air Facility Atsugi in Yamato and Ayase, Japan, for sea duty with Helicopter Squadron 14.

This interview was conducted by Kendra Hazen and includes topics such as Ennis' background and family, RTC Orlando, his Navy life after training, Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (NAWCTSD), and the simulation industry in Central Florida.]]>
0:02:40 Family service members
0:04:12 Recruit Training Center Orlando (RTC Orlando)
0:08:08 Daily life at RTC
0:13:05 Classes and training
0:19:08 Social life
0:22:14 Co-educational training and Competition Week
0:24:18 Instructors
0:25:57 Marching and proudest moments
0:29:03 The Grinder and the USS Blue Jacket
0:33:54 Graduation
0:36:14 Navy career after RTC Orlando
0:42:49 Assignment with the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (NAWCTSD) in Orlando
0:46:29 Simulation at NAWCTSD
0:53:22 Future of the simulation industry in Central Florida
0:56:03 Most valuable lessons learned in Navy
0:58:58 Photographs
1:03:31 Closing remarks]]>
Ennis, Marc. Interviewed by Kendra Hazen, February 22, 2014. Audio/video record available. Item DP0014894, UCF Community Veterans History Project, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida Libraries, Orlando, Florida.]]> RICHES of Central Florida]]> Veterans History Projects, Library of Congress.]]> Ennis, Marc. Interviewed by Kendra Hazen, February 22, 2014. Audio/video record available. Item DP0014894, UCF Community Veterans History Project, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida Libraries, Orlando, Florida.]]> UCF Community Veterans History Project, Orlando, Florida.]]> UCF Community Veterans History Project Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.]]> Adobe Flash Player]]> Java]]> Adobe Acrobat Reader]]> RICHES of Central Florida]]>

This oral history interview was conducted by Leanne Wiggins on March 6, 2014. Interview topics include Reuter's background, enlistment, naval training, attending boot camp at NTC Orlando, serving was a woman in the Navy, graduation from boot camp, Liberty Call, the USS Blue Jacket, the Grinder, serving as a photographer's mater, the Naval Reserve, and the Lone Sailor Memorial Project.]]>
0:00:35 Background
0:02:12 Enlistment
0:04:12 Boot camp at Naval Training Center Orlando
0:08:49 Training as a woman in the Navy
0:11:15 Responsibilities and social interactions at boot camp
0:15:09 Training
0:17:19 Proudest and memorable moments
0:19:54 USS Blue Jacket and the Grinder
0:22:48 Chapel and chow hall
0:24:12 Graduation and Navy memorabilia
0:26:56 Serving as a photographer's mate
0:32:04 Naval Reserve
0:34:44 Values learned from the Navy
0:36:59 Lone Sailor Memorial Project
0:41:49 Closing remarks]]>
Reuter, Martha. Interviewed by Leanne Wiggins. Audio/video record available. Item DP0014908, UCF Community Veterans History Project, RICHES of Central Florida, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.]]> RICHES of Central Florida]]> Veterans History Projects, Library of Congress.]]> Reuter, Martha. Interviewed by Leanne Wiggins. Audio/video record available. Item DP0014908, UCF Community Veterans History Project, RICHES of Central Florida, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.]]> UCF Community Veterans History Project, Orlando, Florida.]]> Lone Sailor Navy Memorial History Project Collection, UCF Community Veterans History Project Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.]]> Adobe Flash PlayerJava.]]> Java]]> Adobe Acrobat Reader]]> RICHES of Central Florida.]]> RICHES of Central Florida]]>