A native of Chicago, Illinois, Command Senior Chief Cruz enlisted in the Navy on December 28, 2000. His military training and certification includes Master Training Specialist; Engineering Officer of the Watch; and was a Senior Enlisted Academy graduate November 2018 in Newport, Rhode Island.
 
Cruz reported to USS Samuel Elliot Morrison (FFG 13) in November of 2001 after completion of his initial training. In May of 2002, he reported to the USS Estocin (FFG 15) in Mayport, Florida. After his tour onboard the USS Estocin, Cruz was then stationed aboard the USS O’Bannon (DD-987) in Mayport, Florida in September of 2003. His next tour led him to Bath, Maine where he was part of the commissioning crew of the USS Farragut (DDG 99) from 2005 to 2010. At the completion of his successful tour onboard, his career sent him back home to Great Lakes, Illinois where he became a Basic Engineering Common Core instructor and later the Gas Turbine “A” School lead instructor. 
 
Following his selection to Chief Petty Officer in 2012, he reported to USS Gettysburg (CG 64), where he served as the Main Propulsion division LCPO until June of 2015. He was advanced to Senior Chief in April of 2015 and he became the Engineering Dept LCPO, Top Snipe. Upon selection to Command Senior Chief in February of 2020, Cruz has been serving as the Senior Enlisted Leader on board USS Gettysburg (CG 64).
 
Command Senior Chief Cruz is entitled to wear the Enlisted Surface Warfare pin, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (Eleven Awards), and various campaign, service, and unit awards.