LtCol Armando Gonzalez is a seasoned military officer with 28 plus years of experience. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Chapman University, Orange, CA. He also has a Master of Science degree in Global Leadership from the University of San Diego, San Diego, CA.
2. LtCol Armando Gonzalez is a seasoned military officer
with 28 plus years of experience. He holds a Bachelor of
Science degree in Business Administration from Chapman
University, Orange, CA. He also has a Master of Science
degree in Global Leadership from the University of San Diego,
San Diego, CA. A South Texas native, LtCol Gonzalez enlisted
in the Marine Corps in November 1987 and went on to serve
in several billets with both the First and Third First Force
Service Support Groups to include deploying in support of
Operation Desert Shield / Desert Storm. In January 1996,
Sergeant Gonzalez was selected for the Meritorious
Commissioning Program and was subsequently commissioned
a Second Lieutenant in April 1996. After Completing the Basic
Officer Course, he was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 11th
Marines, 1st Marine Division where he served as Maintenance
Management, Embarkation, and Logistics Officer and
participated in numerous Combined Arms and Desert Fire
Exercises.
3. In February 2006, he deployed with the ESG-3 Staff in
support of WESTPAC 06-2. Upon arrival in the CENTCOM
AOR, the staff was reassigned as Commander Task Force 59.
In July 2006, CTF-59 directed the Noncombatant
Evacuation of nearly 15,000 U.S. Citizens from war torn
Lebanon. As the J4A for the Joint Forces ashore, he served
as the principle coordinator for humanitarian aid. For its
performance, the CTF-59 Logistics Team was later
recognized as the recipient of the 2006 Stan Arthur Team
Award for excellence in logistics. NEO complete, CTF-59
transferred back to the NAVCENT AOR to support
Operation Iraqi Freedom. Returning to the U.S. in February
2007, he was reassigned to 3d MAW.
4. In June 2007, he joined Marine Wing Support Group 37’s
Staff and was subsequently reassigned to Marine Wing
Support Squadron 373 to serve as Operations Officer. In
September 2008, he deployed with his unit in support of
OIF 08.2 where MWSS 373 served as the Security Force for
Area of Operations Oshkosh in the Al Anbar Province.
Shortly after returning to the U.S. in April 2009, he was
reassigned as the Executive Officer for the squadron. In
September 2010, he once again deployed with his unit in
support of OEF 10.2 where MWSS 373 served as the sole
provider of Aviation Ground Support for RC (SW) in
Helmand Province. In July 2011, he was reassigned to U.S.
Southern Command and further transferred to U.S. MILGP
Colombia where he served as Security Cooperation Officer
and Senior Advisor to the Colombian Marine Corps.
5. After completing his tour in Colombia in June 2013, he was
reassigned to Strategy and Plans Division, (PLU-5), Plans,
Policies, and Operations Department, Headquarters Marine
Corps where he served as Europe Desk Officer. In May
2014, he transferred to his current assignment. LtCol
Gonzalez’s personal decorations include the Defense
Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal
(3rd award), the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation
Medal (2nd award) and the Navy and Marine Achievement
Medal (3rd award), the Good Conduct Medal (2nd award),
and the Humanitarian Service Medal.
