CMSgt Esteban Ruiz is the Senior Enlisted Leader, 156th Operations Group, Muñiz Air National Guard Base, Puerto Rico. He provides leadership and management in organizing, training, equipping, and mobilizing 329 group personnel to meet home station and expeditionary mission requirements. He is also responsible for the Force Development and utilization of 304 enlisted personnel.
Chief Ruiz entered the Air Force in June 1995. He graduated from the Aerospace Control and Warning Systems Operator (MCE) technical training course in September 1996. He has held various leadership positions to include Air Surveillance Technician, Battle Staff Coordinator, Operations Superintendent, and Chief Enlisted Manager. Prior to his current position, the chief was the Chief Enlisted Manager of the 141st Air Control Squadron, Punta Borinquen Radar Site, Puerto Rico.
A Command and Control Battle Management Operations Chief Enlisted Manager, his major deployments include Operations SOUTHERN WATCH, IRAQI FREEDOM, ENDURING FREEDOM, FREEDOM’S SENTINEL, RESOLUTE SUPPORT, INHERENT RESOLVE, and Combined Defense of the Arabian Gulf. In his civilian capacity, the chief is an Information Technology Specialist (Systems Analysis) with a federal government agency.
EDUCATION
1993 Bachelor of Science Business Administration, Computerized Information Systems, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez
2002 Airmen Leadership School, by correspondence
2010 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, by correspondence
2012 Master of Business Administration, Management Information Systems, Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, Ponce
2014 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, by correspondence
2015 Associate in Applied Science, Air and Space Operations Technology, Community College of the Air Force 2017 Professional Manager Certification, Community College of the Air Force
2017 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education I, by correspondence 2019 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education II, by correspondence 2023 Defense Support of Civil Authorities I, by correspondence
2023 Defense Support of Civil Authorities II, USNORTHCOM, Colorado Springs, Colo.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 1996–August 1996, Student, Basic Military Training, Lackland Air Force Base (AFB), Texas
2. August 1996–September 1996, Student, Technical Training, Keesler AFB, Mississippi
3. September 1996–May 2000, Surveillance Technician, 141st Air Control Squadron, Puerto Rico (May 2000, Host Nation Rider Escort, Roosevelt Road Naval Air Station (NAS), Puerto Rico)
4. May, 2000–July, 2001, Surveillance Technician, 141ˢᵗ Air Control Squadron, Puerto Rico (May 2001–July 2001, Surveillance Technician, 386th Expeditionary Air Control Squadron, Ali Al Salem Air Base (AB), Kuwait)
5. July 2001–February 2003, Interface Control Technician, 141st Air Control Squadron, Puerto Rico (January 2003– February 2003, CONUS NORAD Region Team Augmentee, Tyndall AFB, Florida)
6. February 2003–September 2003, Interface Control Technician, 141st Air Control Squadron, Puerto
Rico (July 2003–September 2003, Watch Technician, Air Operations & Coordination Cell, US Embassy, Colombia)
7. September 2003–May 2006, Air Surveillance Technician, 141st Air Control Squadron, Puerto Rico
(January 2006–May 2006, Air Surveillance Technician, 727th Expeditionary Air Control Squadron, Balad AB, Iraq)
8. May 2006–January 2010, Air Surveillance Technician, 141st Air Control Squadron, Puerto Rico
(September 2009–January 2010, Watch NCOIC, Air Operations & Coordination Cell, US Embassy, Colombia)
9. January 2010–May 2015, Air Surveillance Technician, 141st Air Control Squadron, Puerto Rico
(November 2014–May 2015, Air Surveillance Officer, 727th Expeditionary Air Control Squadron, Al Dhafra AB, United Arab Emirates)
10. May 2015–November 2019, Operations Superintendent, 141st Air Control Squadron, Puerto Rico (May 2019– November 2019, Chief Enlisted Manager, 727th Expeditionary Air Control Squadron, Al Dhafra AB, United Arab Emirates)
11. November 2019–May 2021, Chief Enlisted Manager, 141st Air Control Squadron, Puerto Rico
12. May 2021–Present, Senior Enlisted Leader, 156th Operations Group, Puerto Rico
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster Air and Space Achievement Medal
Combat Readiness Medal
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with eight oak leaf clusters National Defense Service
Medal with one service star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal with one service star Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with two hourglass devices and four "M" devices
STATE AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
PRNG Combat Service Medal PRNG Commendation Medal
PRNG Service Medal with three devices
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
1993 Cum Laude, University of Puerto Rico
1996 Honor Graduate, Basic Military Training
1996 Distinguished Graduate, Technical Training
2012 Magna Cum Laude, Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman First Class June 27, 1995
Senior Airman Aug. 14, 1997
Staff Sergeant Feb. 8, 2002
Technical Sergeant Jan. 8, 2009
Master Sergeant March 10, 2013
Senior Master Sergeant April 8, 2016
Chief Master Sergeant March 11, 2019
(Current as of January 2024)