Biography
Sergeant Major, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion
SgtMaj C. A. Ruiz

Sergeant Major Ruiz enlisted in the Marine Corps February 1993 in Phoenix, Az.  On 2 November 1993, he reported to recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA.  He graduated in January 1994 and reported to Marine Combat Training, Golf Company.  Upon completion, Sergeant Major Ruiz reported to Supply School, Camp Johnson, North Carolina and received the Military Occupational Specialty of 3051, Basic Warehouseman.   

 

In May 1994, Sergeant Major Ruiz reported to Supply Company, 3d Supply Battalion, 3d Force Service Support Group, Okinawa, Japan.  In May 1996 he received orders to Marine Corps Logistics Base, Barstow, California to serve as a contracting and purchasing NCO.  During this tour Sergeant Major Ruiz earned the title of “Marine of the Year” for 1997.

 

In October 1998, he received orders to Recruiting School, MCRD San Diego, CA.  Upon graduation he was assigned to 12th Marine Corps District, Recruiting Station Los Angeles. In October 2001, Sergeant Major Ruiz received orders to Supply Company, 1st Supply Battalion, 1st FSSG.  In January 2003, he received orders to Equipment Reception Platoon and later to Combat Service Support Group-12 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. 

 

In April 2004, Sergeant Major Ruiz requested orders to Drill Instructor School class 4-04.  He graduated in September 2004 as the recipient of the Leadership Award and the class Honor Graduate.  Sergeant Major Ruiz was assigned to Company L, Third Recruit Training Battalion.  In October 2006, Sergeant Major Ruiz was transferred to the Instructor Staff, Drill Instructor School, MCRD San Diego, California as a Drill Instructor School Instructor.  During this period he held the billets of Drill Master, Physical Training Instructor, and later the School’s Chief Instructor.  In April 2008, he reported to Supply Company, Combat Service Support Group-15.  He served as Company Gunnery Sergeant until February 2009. 

 

In February 2009, Sergeant Major Ruiz reported to Company L, 3d Battalion, 4th Marines to serve as the Company First Sergeant.  He subsequently deployed to Afghanistan in support of OEF.  Following the end of his first tour, Sergeant Major Ruiz was assigned to Headquarters and Service Company and completed a second tour to Afghanistan. 

 

In June 2012, Sergeant Major Ruiz received orders to Inspector Instructor Staff, Sacramento, California to serve as Inspector-Instructor First Sergeant.  In September 2013 upon his selection to Sergeant Major, he received orders to 3d Battalion, 5th Marines.  He served as the Battalion Landing Team Sergeant Major, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. In April 2016 Sergeant Major Ruiz completed a second deployment with 3d Battalion, 5th Marines as part of Unit Deployment Program 16.1. In May 2016, Sergeant Major Ruiz received orders to his current assignment with 1st Combat Engineer Battalion.      

 

Sergeant Major Ruiz’s personal awards include the Bronze Star Medal with combat distinguishing device, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal with two gold stars, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with one gold star, and the Combat Action Ribbon with one gold star. 

 
1st Marine Division