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, Camp Pendleton, Ca.  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 (FSSG), Okinawa, Japan for duty as a company clerk.  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, Recruiting Sub-Station Culver City and later PCS Hollywood, Ca.  In October 2001, Sergeant Major Ruiz received orders to Supply Company, 1st Supply Battalion, 1st FSSG.  In January 2003, he received orders to Operation Iraqi freedom and was assigned to the Equipment Reception Platoon and later to Combat Service Support Group-12.
 
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 as well as 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.  Upon his selection to Sergeant Major, he received orders to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines.  
    
Sergeant Major Ruiz’s personal awards include the Bronze Star Medal with combat distinguishing device, 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.