CHARLESTON AFB, S.C. –
Staff Sgt. Jose Gonzalez is an airplane general maintenance crew chief instructor for the 437th Maintenance Operations Squadron and has been assigned to Charleston AFB for six years.
As an instructor, Sergeant Gonzalez teaches classes for new crew chiefs, and also specialty classes for flare loading, integral jacking and de-icer training.
This "Warrior of the Week" hails from Kissimmee, Fla., and actually worked at Disney World and Universal Studios. He lives on Charleston AFB with his wife, Angel, daughter Lindsey, 8, and son Carr, 18 months.
"I thoroughly enjoy working here at the training squadron," said Sergeant Gonzalez. "The outstanding professionals I am involved with every day make it a pleasure to come to work. It is very satisfying when we teach Airmen correct and safe procedures for handling flightline situations. I was on the flightline and I can provide them with my personal experiences on handling difficult situations."
Sergeant Gonzalez joined the Air Force in Nov. 2001 with the help of his mother's encouragement.
"I was out of high school for one year and was working for Universal Studios as a banquet server and realized there had to be more to life," said Sergeant Gonzalez. "My mother encouraged me 'to go to college or do something with my life' and the Air Force looked like the right place for me. I looked forward to the world-wide travel and outstanding educational opportunities available to Airmen. I also wanted a steady job with security and a future for my family."
Sergeant Gonzalez has decided to make the Air Force his career and has already set goals for the future.
"I am now working on my promotion to technical sergeant and my goal is to make it on the first try. I also want to complete my Community College of the Air Force this year and I plan to make the Air Force a career and progress in the ranks to the highest enlisted level possible before I retire."