Ruiz-Cruz, a Woodburn, Ore. resident, said he started working with wood in his grandfather’s woodshop in Aguascalientes, Mexico when he was 8 years old. His grandfather taught him many tricks when it comes to woodworking.
Eleven years after beginning work with his grandfather, he moved to the United States to experience the “American Dream”. He opened his own construction company and maintained it until he joined the military after September 11, 2001. Ruiz-Cruz’s command recognized his talents in carpentry and appointed him noncommissioned officer-in-charge of the woodshop. He has worked in the shop since the beginning of his deployment in November building desks, chairs, tables, and Blackhawk regalia.
For ceremonial purposes, such as the Army’s birthday, Ruiz-Cruz and his Soldiers create large unit patches that can take them up to four days to complete.
“We do what we can to preserve our brigade’s history,” he said.
Another project his team completed was the brigade conference table in the headquarters building on Forward Operating Base Kalsu. The table has been elaborately decorated with engravings of the Combat Action Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge, Combat Medic Badge and the Blackhawk shield. Spc. Christopher Spradin, 172nd Infantry Brigade, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, operations, who joined the repair and utilities shop in January, said he learned a lot from Ruiz-Cruz.
“He has taught me some of the tricks he has picked up on in the many years he has worked in carpentry,” said Spradin, a McMinnville, Ore., resident. “He is very smart, and he definitely knows what he is doing.”
Ruiz-Cruz’s know-how isn’t the only thing that impresses his Soldiers.
“He has showed me how I would like to be as an NCO,” added Spradin. “He doesn’t create a stressful environment. Instead of getting upset at mistakes, he will come over and show you a better way of getting the job done.”
Ruiz-Cruz said his team is the real reason the jobs get done.
“I wouldn’t be able to get any of this work done without my Soldiers,” Ruiz-Cruz said. “It is only possible through the team effort they give.”
