SAN DIEGO – Master Chief Petty Officer Adolfo Gonzalez, a native of Miami, Florida, serves in the U.S. Navy with Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (NMRTC) San Diego, California.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jacob Allison |
Gonzalez graduated from G. Holmes Braddock Senior High in 2001.
Gonzalez joined the Navy 23 years ago. Today, Gonzalez serves as a Command Master Chief.
“I joined the Navy for the adventure, to be challenged and the ability to be part of an honorable profession,” said Gonzalez. “Being a part of Navy Medicine as a corpsman exceeded all my expectations.”
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Miami.
“Growing up in Miami, I learned to value and appreciate diversity,” said Gonzalez. “Miami is a melting pot of cultures. It’s amazing what you can learn from someone different than you and that despite small differences people tend to have more in common. The Navy also has people from all walks of life within their ranks and it’s the diversity that helps us come together and take care of one another just like the people back home do.”
According to Navy officials, NMRTC’s mission is to prepare service members to deploy in support of operational forces, deliver high-quality healthcare services and shape the future of military medicine through education, training and research. NMRTC serves as the single point of contact in support of installation and operational commanders, providing medical information, support and over medical cognizance of the active duty and reserve force.
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Gonzalez serves a Navy that operates forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation's prosperity and security.
“We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day,” said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations. “Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs.”
Gonzalez has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I’ve been fortunate to have many proud moments in my Navy career,” said Gonzalez. “Most of those moments involve when sailors I’ve led, trained, or mentored, get promoted or awarded for meritorious actions.”
Gonzalez can take pride in serving America through military service.
“I believe serving in the Navy was my calling in life,” said Gonzalez. “I’ve been challenged, I’ve grown as a person, I’ve received outstanding technical and leadership training and I’ve been to some amazing places. Most importantly I’ve served with some great Americans who are more than just friends now, they are family.”
Gonzalez is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“As an immigrant child who came to this country at the age of six and not knowing how to speak English, I want to thank the Miami-Dade County public schools,” added Gonzalez. “The teachers, staff and administrators provided a safe, nurturing environment where children can focus on learning. In addition to my family, I believe the Miami-Dade Public School system set the foundation for me to succeed. Thank you!”