Ceres native Joseph Perez graduated on from boot camp at the Marine Corps Recruiting Depot in San Diego on Jan. 24.

After a 10-day leave, Perez was sent to Camp Pendleton for infantry training school and is expected to graduate on Feb. 28.

The 2013 Central Valley High School graduate joined the Marines on Oct. 24.

He is the son of Rosalio and Eva Perez was born in Palmdale and moved to Ceres with his family in 2002. He attended Sinclear Elementary School and Blaker Kinser Junior High School before graduating at CVHS.

Before enlisting Joseph married Heather, who grew up with him in Ceres.

He is the brother of Jovana Perez of Ceres.