;MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT/EASTERN RECRUITING REGION PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- -- The Depot's Drill Instructor of the Year claimed the Corps' DI of the Year title at a ceremony Oct. 30 in Quantico, Va.
Staff Sgt. Edward Gonzalez, 3rd RTBn. drill master and Chicago native, won the Depot-level competition Oct. 9. The victories haven't bloated his ego.
"All the drill instructors who represented were top notch drill instructors," said Gonzalez. "I just got lucky. The only thing [to my advantage] that I had was time on the island and maybe experience."
Going before the board is an experience, according to Gonzalez.
"It's a mixture of feelings," said Gonzalez. "You feel confident, but you don't know what happens once you get behind that door."
The competition itself was open to any drill instructor in any battalion, whether on quota or not. Company first sergeants selected each company's candidate, who then competed at the battalion level.
Winners at the battalion level were judged at the regimental level. The winner of that competition is named Depot's Drill Instructor of the Year and earns the opportunity to go to Quantico.
Candidates were not only judged on their skills as a drill instructor, but also their service records, said Gonzalez. Gonzalez's record boasts back-to-back Mediterranean floats with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), as well as deployments in Norway and Bosnia. He's also been to the Far East, including Thailand, Korea and Okinawa.
His record on Parris Island isn't anything to scoff at, either. While on his first tour as a drill instructor, he has filled every billet in a training company from third hat through senior drill instructor to company gunnery sergeant and operations chief. Currently on extension as a drill master, Gonzalez hopes to eventually return to training recruits after his first tour here.
"I'd like to come back as a first sergeant," Gonzalez said.
Being a drill instructor isn't just a job for Gonzalez, it's a family affair. Gonzalez is married to Papa Co. 4th RTBn. drill instructor Sgt. Sandra Ponce, whom he credits with his success.
"She's been my inspiration for everything," said Gonzalez. "I couldn't have done it without her."
In addition to his wife, Gonzalez said he owes much of his success to many of his senior Marines, first sergeants and sergeants major.
In spite of the win on the Depot, Gonzalez isn't able to slow down for a moment. On the wall in the drill master's office is a whiteboard with boxes denoting the practice and evaluation schedule for battalion drill. Almost every box is filled with magnet labels with a company to be evaluated or to practice the graduation ceremony, in spite of having to still prepare for the final showdown.
"As one platoon graduates, the next one is in the chute," said Gonzalez.
The rest of the office resembles a shrine to motivation. The crossed masts of the 3rd RTBn. Colors and the American flag stand behind a row of brightly colored campaign cover holders. In front of the desk is a footlocker, with the 3rd RTBn. shield painted on its lid, right under the inscription "Mike Company."
In spite of his accomplishment, Gonzalez feels he was just doing what he's supposed to.
"I'm just an ordinary drill instructor doing his job," said Gonzalez. "I feel extremely honored to be selected to represent such a solid group of people."