RCT-5 welcomes new sergeant major

Photo By Staff Sgt. Alfred V. Lopez | U.S. Marine Sgt. Maj. Ernest Hoopii, a native of Maui, Hawaii, addresses an audience of fellow servicemembers during his relief and appointment ceremony here, March 1. During the ceremony, Hoopii relinquished his position as the Regimental Combat Team 5 sergeant major to Sgt. Maj. Alberto Ruiz, a native of Laredo, Texas. Ruiz was the 3rd Assault Amphibious Battalion sergeant major before his current appointment. Hoopii will continue his career as the sergeant major of Marine Corps Installations East aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C.  

CAMP DWYER, AFGHANISTAN

03.01.2012

Story by Cpl. Alfred V. Lopez 

I Marine Expeditionary Force

CAMP DWYER, Afghanistan – It was a bittersweet day for the Marines and sailors of Regimental Combat Team 5, as they bid farewell to a beloved sergeant major and welcomed the newest senior enlisted Marine to southern Helmand province.

Sergeant Major Ernest Hoopii, a native of Maui, Hawaii, relinquished his position as the RCT-5 sergeant major to Sgt. Maj. Alberto Ruiz, a native of Laredo, Texas, during a relief and appointment ceremony here, March 1.

“Sergeant Major Hoopii always provided great counsel and mentorship not only for the non commissioned officers, and staff NCOs, but also for the officers as well,” said Col. Roger Turner, the RCT-5 commanding officer. “He led the RCT here to great success, and he’s given a lot to the Corps in recent years.”

Hoopii will continue his career as the sergeant major of Marine Corps Installations East aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C.

“It’s been a bittersweet day for us, and [Hoopii] will be sorely missed, but he’ll have a great impact there.” added Turner.

Ruiz enlisted in the Marine Corps in February 1984 before reporting to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Calif. for recruit training. Following his graduation from recruit training, Ruiz reported to the School of Infantry aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Since his enlistment in the Corps, Ruiz has served with 1st and 3rd Battalions, 1st Marine Regiment, Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, and 1st Intelligence Battalion. He has also served with 5th Battalion, 11th Marines, 9th Communication Battalion, and Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268.

“Sergeant Major Ruiz and I served with 2/5, and I have no doubt he’ll carry on what Hoopii left here,” said Turner. “He’ll represent the regiment [well] and the fine tradition of the 5th Marines.”

Ruiz has served combat tours in Kuwait, Haditha, Mogadishu, and Al Asad. He is a veteran of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, and Operations United Shield and Operation Restore Hope II.

Ruiz served has served as the squadron sergeant major for Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268, and battalion sergeant major for 3rd Assault Amphibious Battalion, prior to his appointment to his current position.

Ruiz’s personal decorations include the Bronze Star with Combat Distinguished Device, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with numeral 4, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Gold star in lieu of second award, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and Combat Action Ribbon with Gold star in lieu of second award.

“I’m really excited to be here,” said Ruiz. “I want to thank Sgt. Maj. Hoopii for the warm welcome and the extensive turn over.”

Ruiz is a graduate of Southern Illinois University and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Workforce Education and Development. Ruiz and his wife Norma have a son, Alberto II, and two daughters, Selina Marie and Katarina Makayla.

“Sergeant Major Ruiz is a great man with an infantry background,” said Turner. “He’s been doing this for a long time and I know without a doubt that the regiment is in good hands.”

Editor’s note: Regimental Combat Team 5 is assigned to 1st Marine Division (Forward), which works in partnership with the Afghan National Security Forces and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to conduct counterinsurgency operations. The unit is dedicated to securing the Afghan people, defeating insurgent forces and enabling ANSF assumption of security responsibilities within its area of operations in order to support the expansion of stability, development and legitimate governance.

• Date Taken: 03.01.2012
• Date Posted: 03.03.2012 07:07
• Story ID: 84676
• Location: CAMP DWYER, AF