Command Master Chief Toby Ruiz is a native of Montebello, California, but calls Monte Vista, Colorado, home. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1991 and completed boot camp at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois, followed by Signalman “A” School at Naval Training Center Orlando, Florida. After two tours as a collateral-duty command career counselor, he became a navy counselor in 2004 after the signalman rating was disestablished. He was selected for the Command Senior Chief Program in 2008.

At sea, he served aboard USS Ford (FFG 54); USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) as a plankowner; USS Higgins (DDG 76); USS Benfold (DDG 65); and with Electronic Attack Squadron 135 (VAQ) 135, deploying aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68).

His shore assignments include instructor duty at Naval Leader Training Unit Coronado, California; command career counselor and Non-Prior Service Accession Course program manager at Navy and Marine Corps Reserve Center Houston, Texas; and regional career counselor at Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii.

As a command senior chief, he completed two deployments in the Middle East aboard USS Ardent (MCM 12) with Mine Countermeasures (MCM) Crew Conflict and aboard USS Chief (MCM 14) when in homeport. Promoting to master chief petty officer in 2010, he served as command master chief of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 77, deploying twice aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72); command master chief for Navy Information Operations Command Hawaii; force master chief for Naval Information Forces; director of the Navy’s Command Senior Enlisted Leader Management Office; and as the master chief petty officer of the Navy’s executive assistant and chief of staff. Most recently, he was the command master chief for I Marine Expeditionary Force.

He reported to Naval Leadership and Ethics Center as command master chief in November  2022.

He is a graduate of the U.S. Navy Senior Enlisted Academy, Class 139 (Gray); Command Master Chief/Chief of the Boat Course, Class 48; National Defense University Keystone Course, Class 161; and Naval Postgraduate School Senior Leader Seminar. He holds a bachelor’s degree in multidisciplinary studies from the University of Arkansas at Grantham and a dual associate degree in applied counseling and vocation education instruction from Coastline Community College.
Ruiz is qualified as an enlisted surface warfare, information warfare, aviation, and fleet marine force warfare specialist, as well as a master training specialist and certified Resilience-Building Leader Program trainer. His personal awards include the Legion of Merit (two awards), Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (six awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards), and numerous service and campaign awards.

Last Updated: 8 March 2023