Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Jerico Gonzales from Glendale poses for a photo after being promoted to second class petty officer at Naval Support Activity West Hampton Roads. Gonzales is a 2013 Hoover High School graduate and has been serving in the Navy for six years. Gonzales is following in his father’s footsteps who served in the U.S. Army for 10 years.

“Advancement to the next pay grade means a lot to me,” said Gonzales. “For my wife and son to be there it means I have made my family very proud. It means that I can support my family, give my son someone to look up to as a role model and tell him all you need to do is a little hard work, have patience and never stop if you want to achieve something.”