Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego -- For some people, creating bonds with one another is the glue that holds a family together. One Marine in particular keeps his family in his heart and strives to make them proud.
Pvt. Michael T. Gonzalez, with the support of his close-knit family, grew up and followed his family traditions and joined the military.
He grew up in Vidor, Texas, with five brothers and three sisters, and was close to all of them.
“My sisters keep us going,” said Gonzalez. “When we’re having a stressful day, no matter what it is, my sisters would talk to us and help us relax.”
Gonzalez enjoyed spending time with his parents; he helped his mom with anything she needed help with and went fishing and hunting with his dad.
“We did everything together,” said Gonzalez. “If (a family member) needed money or anything, we would help them.”
Gonzalez and his family have been through rough times, too. They faced troubles with money, racism and death in the family.
“There was a lot of racism where we grew up, but we were raised to hold our own,” said Gonzalez. “My family taught (me and my siblings) how to fight and defend ourselves, and we stayed away from all of the gangs and drug addicts out there.”
When he was four years old, he realized he wanted to join the Marine Corps and follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, uncle and brothers. Since the military runs in his family, Gonzalez wanted to be a part of that.
“I saw my uncle in his dress blues once,” said Gonzalez. “I remember thinking I wanted to be just like him one day.”
His grandfather was in the Air Force, and this gave Gonzalez and his family opportunities to travel when they went to visit him.
“I’m only 18, but I’ve seen a lot for my young age,” said Gonzalez. “My favorite trip was when we got to spend time with my uncle before he passed away with cancer. We went out on sandbars and we swam with stingrays.”
Gonzalez’s family bond was strong throughout high school. When he had struggles with mathematics, he and his siblings helped each other out allowing him to succeed academically as well as on the football field.
“I only played my freshman year, but I managed to make it on the varsity team,” said Gonzalez. “I remember hearing my mom in the stands screaming, ‘Michael Taylor, you better be careful hitting those boys!’”
Gonzalez‘s football career was cut short after an injury caused him to rethink his sport choice.
“I accidentally broke a guy’s leg and dislocated both of our shoulders,” said Gonzalez. “I decided after that that I’d take up [mixed martial arts] and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.”
As soon as he completed high school, Gonzalez found himself in the Marine Corps recruiters office enlisting.
Recruit training was challenging for Gonzalez, but he learned to adjust his mental outlook and make positive changes.
“There were times when I would doubt myself, but as I went on I learned that (getting through recruit training depended on) what you made of it,” said Gonzalez. “You can either follow orders or get messed up for not following orders; it’s all up to you.”
Gonzalez kept his family on his mind during recruit training.
“I just wanted to finish strong and make my family proud,” said Gonzalez. “I also want to make sure my family is taken care of.”
Following graduation from the depot, Gonzalez will attend the School of Infantry to become an infantryman.
“I wanted infantry because I’ve never been the one to want to be in the back,” said Gonzalez. “I’ve always wanted to be in the front and see everything firsthand, so I told my recruiter I didn’t want anything other than infantry.”
At first, his family didn’t agree with his decision about choosing one of the most dangerous jobs in the Marine Corps.
“My family has always been there for me,” said Gonzalez. “After warming up to it I remember them telling me, ‘If it’s really what you want to do then do it. We support you 110 percent.’”
Gonzalez’s family taught him a lot growing up, and he continues to hold those teachings close.
“Our family always taught us that if there is something in our way, we’re either going to move it or get around it,” said Gonzalez. “You can never quit. You can never back down from anybody or anything, no matter how bad it is.”