Major Ray N. Gomez was born in Alpine, Texas, and graduated recruit training at Marine Corp Recruit Depot San Diego in September 1992. Upon completing Marine Combat Training at Camp Pendleton, he received orders to Millington, Tennessee where he attended avionics schools, then proceeded to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island for training as a RADAR Communications Technician.
From October 1993 to May 1998, he was stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. During this time, Corporal Gomez deployed with Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron-3 in 1995 onboard the USS America’s (CVA-66) twilight tour. In 1996, Sergeant Gomez deployed with Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron-4 to Aviano, Italy in support of operations: JOINT ENDEAVOR, DELIBERATE FORCE, and DENY FLIGHT. May of 1998 brought to an end active duty service for Sergeant Gomez.
In 2000, Corporal Gomez retuned to active duty after 19 months as a civilian and received orders to Marine Corps Air Station-Cherry Point, North Carolina. Corporal Gomez immediately deployed with Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron-4 to Iwakuni, Japan. Upon returning from Iwakuni, Sergeant Gomez received orders to Naval Aviation Maintenance Training Command, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington where he served as an instructor for Military Occupational Specialty Avionics Course. During his four-year tour in Whidbey Island, Staff Sergeant Gomez received his Bachelor of Art is in Professional Aeronautics from Embrey Riddle Aeronautic University (2005).
In January 2007, Staff Sergeant Gomez proceeded to Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia, where he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. Following The Basic School, Second Lieutenant Gomez attended the Aircraft Maintenance Officer’s Course in Milton, Florida where he trained as an Aircraft Maintenance Officer.
In January 2007, Second Lieutenant Gomez received orders to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron-36 in Okinawa, Japan and served as the Ground Support Equipment Officer and Airspeed Officer. In November 2008, First Lieutenant Gomez joined Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron-265 where he served as Maintenance Material Control Officer. During this time, First Lieutenant Gomez deployed with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit on board the USS Denver, USS Tortuga, USS Harpers Ferry, and USS Essex to Thailand, Korea, and the Philippine Islands.
Captain Gomez joined Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron-13 in Yuma, Arizona in July 2010 and was assigned an Individual Assignment Billet as part of the Afghan Uniform Police 150 Mentor Team in the Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Returning from Afghanistan in June 2011, Captain Gomez was assigned to the maintenance department as the Assist Aircraft Maintenance Officer until June 2013.
In 2014, Captain Gomez attended Expeditionary Warfare School. Upon completion, he received orders to Naval Air Technical Data and Engineering Service Command headquarters in North Island, California where he served as the Fleet Liaison Officer, and then as Site Lead Southwest Detachments at Marine Corps Air Station-Miramar, California.
In June 2017, Major Gomez attended Marine Corps Command and Staff College at Marine Corps University in Quantico, Virginia where he earned his Masters of Military Studies Degree.
Major Gomez reported to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron-13 on Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona in July 2018 where he served as the Operations Officer for two years and currently serves as the Executive Officer.
Major Gomez’s awards and decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal second award, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal third award, Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and various unit and service medals and ribbons.