CTOCM(AW) PENNY M. TARDONA
UNITED STATES NAVY, RETIRED
Master Chief Tardona was born on 7 November in Seattle, Washington. She graduated from high school in 1970 and enlisted in the Navy on 16 January 1976.
After recruit training in Orlando and CTO “A” school in Pensacola, Master Chief Tardona experienced her first duty overseas while assigned to NSGA Sabana Seca Puerto Rico. Prior to her next assignment at NSGA Keflavik Iceland, she attended the HFDF Technical Control “C” school. In 1980, while stationed at NSGA Kflavik, Master Chief Tardona was selected to participate in the new Enlisted Education Advancement Program. She transferred to CNET, Pensacola where she attended Pensacola Junior College. Upon completing her two year program in 12 months, Master Chief Tardona was selected as an instructor in the COMSYSOPSCOM “C” SCHOOL at NTTC Corry Station where she received her Master Training Specialist. Her next assignment was to NSGD Diego Garcia. While onboard Diego Garcia, she was promoted to Chief Petty Officer and was serving as the communications Division Officer when she left.
The Master Chief’s next assignment was to NSGA Northwest, Virginia. She functioned as a CWO for approximately 18 months and then assumed the Communication Department Chief position. While onboard Northwest, Master Chief Tardona pursued and was rewarded with her first opportunity to spend time onboard a ship. Her time onboard the USS IOWA (BB-61) was the highlight of her tour at NSGA Northwest. Upon completion of her tour at Northwest, Master Chief Tardona transferred to a Division Officer position at NAVFAK ADAK. Her tour in Adak provided the Master Chief with the opportunity to fill in as the Command Master Chief on a regular basis, once for a three month period. The Master Chief accomplished one of her goals while in Adak by completing her Bachelor of Science degree. She participated in and was awarded her Aviation Warfare designation from NAS Adak’s AIMD. Prior to departing from Adak, the Master Chief was selected for the Senior Enlisted Academy. Subsequently, in 1991, the Mast Chief was selected for duty on the staff, COMNAVSECGRU where she served as the CTO Training Specialist in G10. Master Chief Tardona’s next tour was as the CTO Branch Technical Advisor at BUPERS. Master Chief Tardona’s final tour was as the CNO Directed Command Master Chief of the Naval Security Group Command.
Master Chief Tardona’s decorations included a Commendation Medal, three awards of the Navy Achievement Medal, a Navy Unit Commendation, a Meritorious Unit Commendation, four awards of the Navy Good Conduct Medal, a National Defense Service Medal, and five awards of the Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbons.
Station HYPO 
7 November 2022 at 16:20
That’s quite a career for Master Chief Tardona! The Master Chief’s time aboard USS IOWA must have been as either the only woman aboard, or one of just a few women aboard.
As a postscript, my sister, Jean McKane Camp (as she calls herself), as a civilian contract linguist, was aboard various Navy ships while at sea, including, as I recall, during combat operations. “Jeanie,” as she’s known within the family and to her friends, thus served the Navy and our country in a fashion not too different from the three male members of her family. (Our brother, William “Paul” McKane, served in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s as a Catholic chaplain. Part of Bill’s time was with Marines on Okinawa.)
I’m sure I speak for all of Station HYPO’s readers in wishing Master Chief Tardona a happy retirement!
Go Navy!
Andy McKane
LikeLike
7 November 2022 at 17:30
Wow, as an old “O” brancher myself, I simply marvel at her career. God bless her for what she accomplished. There is a barmaid near where I live who also was an “O” brancher (we always trade “war stories” at the bar where she works), and I will ask her if she knew CTOCM Tardona.
LikeLike
8 November 2022 at 06:36
Congratulations to CTOCM TARDONA on her many accomplishments while on active duty. “PENNY”
sounds familiar but the last name does not ring a bell. I was the comms department/division chief
at DAT Keflavik from July 1978 through July 1980 (and then transferred to PCRS ROTA arriving 08/12/80) where in addition to a watch section chief I was also relay center chief and stood command CDO duties. Depending upon when she arrived in Keflavik she may have worked with me.
Jim King
CTOC Ret.
LikeLike