Chief Petty Officer Gonczi started the 2021-22 school year as our NJROTC Naval Science Instructor (NSI).  This is his sixth year as an NSI including three years of prior experience at Spanaway Lake High School.  Chief Gonczi is a fully certified Career Technical & Education (CTE) teacher and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies, Culture & Media.

After graduating from Port Allegany High School, Port Allegany, PA, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy completing Basic Training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, IL afterwards attending Naval Submarine School, New London, CT.

His sea duty stations include the nuclear powered submarines USS WOODROW WILSON (SSBN 624)(Gold), USS TOPEKA (SSN 754), USS MEMPHIS (SSN 691) and USS ALABAMA (SSBN 731)(Blue).  His shore duty stations include COMSUBRON 7 (Pearl Harbor), COMSUBPAC (Pearl Harbor), COMSUBDEVRON 5 (San Diego), NAVSUBASE (San Diego), and COMSUBDEVRON 12 (New London).  He retired in 2009 after 24 years of service.

Chief Gonczi and his family have lived in Shelton since 2007.  His older sons Ryan and Stephen both participated in NJROTC and graduated from Shelton High School. His youngest son Alex is a junior and is also in the program.