Michael Franzak

LtCol Mike "Zak" Franzak began his military career when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in June 1981. After boot camp he served as an aviation ordnanceman with VF-1 aboard the USS Ranger and USS Kitty Hawk making one WESTPAC deployment. In 1983 he was awarded an NROTC scholarship, discharged, and sent to Texas A&M. While at Texas A&M, Mike changed his service commitment from Navy to Marine Corps and in 1985 he attended Amphibious Reconnaissance School (ARS). Mike graduated Recon School finishing 2 out of 40 Marines. In the summer of 1986, Mike attended "Bulldog," Officer Candidate School and graduated in the top 10%. In 1987 he graduated from Texas A&M with numerous academic and military awards and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. Mike then attended the "The Basic School," (TBS) at Quantico VA, a six-month program designed to indoctrinate all Marine officers in the responsibilities of a rifle platoon commander. In May 1988, Mike graduated as both the military honor and overall honor graduate from TBS, finishing 1 out of 221 in both categories. After TBS, Mike attended flight school and was awarded jets. He was winged in August 1990 and selected to fly the AV-8B Harrier. He served five years in VMA-211, the "Avengers," making three more WESTPAC deployments and acquiring all major flight designations to include the prestigious Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) qualification. After completing his tour in VMA-211, Mike opted for a ground tour and was sent to 1st ANGLICO in Camp Pendelton, CA.