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Michael J. Gonzales was born in Sacramento California, and entered into the US Army Delayed Entry Program
on the 20th of July 2005. After graduating from Horizons Home School program,Staff Sergeant Gonzales
arrived on October 7th 2005 to Infantry One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Georgia. On
February26th2006,he left Fort Benning as an 11C Indirect fire Infantryman.
After leaving Fort Benning, Georgia, Staff SergeantGonzales reported to 1st of the 25th 3/21 infantry
battalion and served for a short time as an assistant gunner in A CO.On June 1, 2006 at the Ft Lewis parade
field, Staff Sergeant Gonzales became a Dragoon as the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry colors where cased and the
unit was reflagged to the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment.Staff SergeantGonzales continued to work as an
assistant gunner and help with the move to Vilseck, Germany.
In July of 2006 Staff Sergeant Gonzales arrived in Vilseck Germany as a member of Dog Company
2ndSquadron, 2nd Striker Cavalry Regiment. Upon arriving to Germany he had the honor of participating in the
parade through the city of Vilseck. It was the first time US troops had done this in 20 years. While in Dog
Co.,Staff Sergeant Gonzales participatedin two MORTEPS and field exercises in Hoensfeld Training Area, and
proved to be an outstanding Mortar man. All the training prepared Staff Sergeant Gonzales for his first
deployment.
On the 6th of August 2007 Staff Sergeant Gonzales deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.After
Staff Sergeant Gonzales earned his promotable status, he was selected above his peers to take on a squad
leader positionin Headquarters and Headquarters Company, and then joined the Core of the
Noncommissioned officers on May 1st 2008 when he was promoted to Sergeant. Staff Sergeant Gonzales and
his squad redeployed to Germany in October of 2008.
While in Iraq, Staff Sergeant Gonzales volunteered to attend the warrior͛sleader͛s course during the block
leave time frame and graduated in the top 20 percent of his class, than shortly after attended Infantry Mortar
Leader Course and Advanced Leaders Course. In the spring of 2009,Staff Sergeant Gonzales earned his Expert
Infantry Badge and mentored Sergeant Wickline to earn his. He was one of the 3 in the company that earned
the right to wear the coveted badge. During this time he continued to mentor his men and achieved a 287
squad PT average. Staff Sergeant Gonzales also mentored PFC McGee to pass Infantry Mortar Leader Course
which has one of the highest attrition rates in the army.
Staff Sergeant Gonzales continued to train and mentor his men for the upcoming deployment toAfghanistan,
and also developed an effective mortar live fire range at JTF-E Novo Selo, Bulgaria, which was the first of its
kind and received accolades from the Regimental Commander. OnJune 26th Staff Sergeant Gonzales Deployed
to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Staff Sergeant Gonzales͛ awards and decorations include the Expert Infantry Badge, the Army
Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal (three oak leaf clusters),Army Good ConductMedal,
National Defense Service Medal,Iraq Campaign Medal,Global War on Terrorism Service Medal,
Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon (2), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service
ribbon, and the NATO Medal.
Staff Sergeant Gonzales has set many goals for himself to develop his military proficiency. His short term
goals include staying with the Dragoon team and applying himself as a Section Sergeant to assist in the unit͛s
future missions,attend and successfullycomplete Battle Staff Noncommissioned Officer Course, and compete
for selection into the prestigious Sergeant Morales Club. His long term goals include Attending and
successfully completing Ranger School, earning a bachelor͛s degree inEntertainment Business,and to
becoming a Platoon Sergeant.