Sergeant Major Sergio MartinezRuiz

Sergeant Major,
2nd Battalion, 11th Marines

Sergeant Major Sergio MartinezRuiz was born in Chihuahua, Mexico. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on 24 January, 1993. He attended Recruit Training in San Diego, CA. Upon graduation he transferred to Camp Pendleton, CA in order to attend Marine Corps Training (MCT).

Upon completion of MCT Private First Class Martinez transferred to Court House Bay, NC for assignment to Basic Engineer School as a Combat Engineer Student. In July of 1993 and upon completion of Basic Combat Engineer School he was assigned to 8th Engineer Support Battalion for duty as a Combat Engineer. While serving with B Co, 8th ESB he deployed numerous times in support of Joint Task Force 6 in order to conduct counter-drug operations, first serving as platoon guide and later as platoon sergeant. In July of 1997, upon returning from his last deployment Sergeant Martinez transferred to Parris Island, SC where he attended Drill Instructor School.

He graduated Drill Instructor School in October of 1997 and was assigned to Mike Co, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion for duty as a Drill Instructor. While in Parris Island Sergeant Martinez was selected to the rank of Staff Sergeant and promoted on 1 June 1998. In September of 1999 Staff Sergeant Martinez attended the Career Course in Camp Lejeune, NC and later the Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection Officer Course. Upon return to Parris Island he transferred to Head Quarters and Service Battalion for assignment at the Physical Conditioning Platoon (PCP) where he served as Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, and later Series Gunnery Sergeant.

In October of 2000 Staff Sergeant Martinez transferred to Marine Wing Support Squadron 371 in Yuma, AZ. While assigned to MWSS 371 he filled the billets of Construction SNCOIC, OIC, Engineer Company Operations Chief and Company First Sergeant. In January of 2002 Staff Sergeant Martinez was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant. He again deployed in June of 2002 in support of Joint Task Force 6.

In January of 2003 Gunnery Sergeant Martinez received orders and later transferred to the University of Florida for assignment at the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps as the Assistant Marine Officer Instructor. While serving with the NROTC he performed the duties as the Marine Officer Instructor for six months.

In June of 2004 Gunnery Sergeant Martinez received orders to augment Officer Candidate School in Quantico, VA as a Sergeant Instructor. In addition to his assigned primary duties Gunnery Sergeant Martinez also attended College and was able to obtain an Associate of Arts Degree. In March of 2005, Gunnery Sergeant Martinez was frocked to the rank of First Sergeant and subsequently transferred to Bravo Company, 1st Tank Battalion, Twenty-nine Palms, CA.

While serving with Bravo Co, 1st Tank Battalion First Sergeant Martinez deployed to Iraq twice in support of OIF 04-06 and later 06-08. In this capacity he also served as a member of the Regimental Awards Board. In March of 2008 First Sergeant transferred to the School of Infantry (West) and was assigned to Infantry Training Battalion (ITB), Charlie Company.

His Personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with one gold star, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two gold stars.