Shafter High graduate to be a Marine MP

Lance Corporal Nathan Gonzalez graduated from the Marine Corps Military Police Academy at Marcordet Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, on August 18, 2020.

Gonzalez received the Distinguished Honor Graduate by finishing at the top of his class with an average of 97.86 throughout his training. He received letters of commendation and was meritoriously promoted to lance corporal.

Gonzalez is a 2019 Shafter High School graduate and is the son of Mike Gonzalez of Shafter and Tiffany Tatum-Knox of Wasco. He entered the Marine Corps in November of 2019 and graduated basic training with top shot or Company High Rifle Expert in January.

Gonzalez will be stationed in Okinawa while beginning his career as a military police officer.

"I joined the Marines to follow in my father's footsteps and it has turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life," Gonzalez said. "I have gained rapport with many new people from around the U.S. and I have been taught how to implement my job properly by some of the best instructors the Marine Corps has to offer."

Gonzalez was originally supposed to attend a K-9 Handlers Course at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas after he completed the Police Academy but that course is not operating at this time. Gonzalez intends to pursue the job as a K-9 handler by completing on the job training while in Okinawa.