Chief Petty Officer Gonzalez enlisted in the Navy in July of 2005 in Chicago, IL.  After the completion of Basic Training at RTC Great Lakes, he continued to follow on training at NAS Pensacola where he completed Naval Aircrew Candidate school, Rescue Swimmer school, and AW “A” school, and he was advanced to the rank of Petty Officer Third Class.  He then reported to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron THREE (HSC-3), NAS North Island, Ca, where he completed the CAT I syllabus for the MH-60S, earning his Naval Aircrew Warfare Specialist wings.
 
Following training at HSC-3, he reported to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron TWO ONE (HSC-21).  While aboard HSC-21, he completed three deployments on board USNS Rainer (T-AOE 7), USNS Mercy (T-AH 19), and the 2515^th Naval Air Ambulance Detachment out of Camp Buehring Kuwait and COB Barsah Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation New Dawn and Operation Pacific Partnership.  He advanced to the rank of AWS2 and earned his qualifications as MH-60S Crew Chief, Helicopter Aerial Gunnery Instructor, SAR Standardization Petty Officer, Assistant NATOPS Instructor, and Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist.
 
His next tour was back at Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron THREE where he served as an MH-60S Fleet Replacement Squadron instructor, instructing initial entry accession on the aircraft systems and employment of the MH-60S. Here he flew 1,100 flight hours, fought southern California two wild fires, earned his Master Training Specialist, and also advanced to the rank of AWS1. 
 
His second sea tour, was at Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron SIX on NAS North Island, CA. Here he completed deployment with CVW-17 on board USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) in support Operation Inherent Resolve. Here he served as Aircrew LPO, Operations LPO, Command Safety Petty Officer, earning his Safety Technician NEC. 
 
His second shore tour was Helicopter Sea Combat Weapons School Pacific.  He served as SWTI, instructing and evaluating Pilots and Aircrewmen on the tactical employment of the MH-60S through Helicopter Advanced Readiness Program evaluations.  He was promoted to the Rank of Chief Petty Officer in September of 2019.  He held positions as Admin Department Leading Chief Petty Officer, Standardization and Training LCPO.    
 
He is currently serving at Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Two FIVE on Andersen AFB, Guam.  He was deployed with the 31^st MEU aboard USS America (LHA-6).  He has held the positions as Training and Tactics LCPO, Operations Department LCPO, and currently serving as Command Senior Enlisted Leader.  He screened for Senior Chief Petty Officer in 2024.
 
Chief Gonzalez has one daughter Grace Rosa Gonzalez (13). His Personal awards include Air Medal (Strike) (2 awards), NCM, NAM (4 awards), Army Achievement Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and numerous unit and campaign awards.

Last Updated: 28 June 2024