MARINE BARRACKS WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Sergeant Maj. Troy E. Black relinquished his post as 19th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps to Sgt. Maj. Carlos A. Ruiz during a relief and appointment ceremony at Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., Aug. 10.
Sergeant Maj. Ruiz, a native of Agua Prieta, Mexico, joined the Marine Corps out of Phoenix, Arizona, Nov. 2, 1993. He began his career as a supply warehouse clerk in Okinawa, Japan, and his most recent assignment was serving as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader for U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve and U.S. Marine Corps Forces South.
During his 30-year career, Sgt. Maj. Ruiz served in a variety of billets and completed multiple special duty assignments, to include time as a Marine Corps recruiter and a drill instructor. He completed several overseas deployments including combat operations in Iraq in 2003 and two combat deployments to Afghanistan with 1st Marine Division infantry battalions.
“Sergeant Major Ruiz’s accomplishments and successes as a leader make him the perfect Marine to serve as the 20th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps,” said Sgt. Maj. Black. “I am absolutely certain he will be a relentless advocate for our warfighters and their families, and my wife, Stacie, and I wish his family the very best as they embark on this special and noble journey.”
Sergeant Maj. Black, a native of Louisville, Kentucky, served as the Marine Corps’ top enlisted Marine from July 26, 2019 to Aug. 10, 2023. His 35 years of military service will continue as he assumes the duties of Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Nov. 3, 2023. He will succeed SEAC Ramón “CZ” Colón-López in this role and will be the second Marine to serve as the most senior ranking enlisted service member in the U.S. Department of Defense.