13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)

Story by Sgt. Adam Strange

CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Spc. Gerardo Martinezbonilla is a light-wheel vehicle mechanic, assigned to the 3666th Maintenance Company, 541st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 96th Sustainment Brigade, headquartered in Camp Taji, Iraq. He will be sworn in as a United States Citizen, Nov. 11.

Martinez was born in Cueramaro, Mexico, in 1989. At age 11, he immigrated to Phoenix, Ariz. with his parents and two sisters. Martinez began learning English while attending B.H. Lassen Elementary School. During high school, he worked at the Arizona Grand Resort as a gym assistant and enlisted in the Arizona National Guard. Shortly after graduation from Cesar Chavez High School, Martinez left home to attend Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Jackson, S.C. Upon completion of his training, Martinez returned home where he worked as a fork lift operator.

Martinez said that his family is very proud of him for serving in the U.S. Army and for receiving his United States citizenship. His father's occupation is making roofing supplies while his mother works as a housekeeper. Martinez is the second in his family to receive a U.S. citizenship. The younger of his two sisters, who is completing her senior year of nursing school, received her citizenship in August 2009.

"At first, I was stressed out, but now I just get the job done to the best of my ability so that I can return home safely," said Martinez about his deployment.

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