First Sergeant Cruz-Rosario enlisted in the Marine Corps on 20 July 2004 and attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina graduating October 2004. Following recruit training, Private First Class Cruz-Rosario attended the School of Infantry (SOI) located at Camp Geiger, North Carolina where he graduated and earned the MOS 0351, Infantry Assaultman.
Private First Class Cruz-Rosario reported to his first duty station at 3rd Bn, 6th Mar in March 2005 for duty as a Gunner in Kilo Company. While assigned to 3rd Bn, 6th Mar, Private First Class Cruz-Rosario deployed to Al Anbar Province, Iraq in 2005 where he was meritoriously promoted to Lance Corporal and participated in Operations Steel Curtain and Iron Fist. Upon return of the deployment, Lance Corporal Cruz-Rosario attended the Urban Mobility Breachers Course and then in 2007 did a second tour to Iraq while serving as a team leader and Assistant Gunner.
In January of 2008, Corporal Cruz-Rosario reported to Weapons Training Battalion in Quantico, Virginia where he served as a Combat Marksmanship Coach and Combat Marksmanship Trainer as well as a Foreign Weapons Instructor. Corporal Cruz-Rosario was then transferred to the Marine Corps Information Operations Center (MCIOC) in Quantico, Virginia in February 2010 to be a PSYOP NCO. During this tour he was the assistant team leader for Expeditionary MISO Team 31 and deployed as an individual augment (IA) attached to 3rd Bn, 4th Mar to Gereshk Valley, Afghanistan in 2011.
In February 2012, Corporal Cruz-Rosario re-enlisted and made a lateral move to the MOS of 0861, Fire Support Man. He attended the Marine Artillery Scout Observers Course at Ft Sill Oklahoma, and the Fire Support Man Course at Expeditionary Warfare Training Group (EWTG) Pacific, Naval Amphibious Base, Coronado, California. Upon graduation, Sergeant Cruz-Rosario was assigned to the Division Fire Support Coordination Center (FSCC) at 10th Marines where he assumed the responsibilities as Platoon Sergeant.
In August 2013, Sergeant Cruz-Rosario attached to Charlie Company, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Battalion to serve as a Fire Support Man and deployed with Battalion Landing Team (BLT) 1/6, 22 Marine Expeditionary Unit in February 2014. In December 2014, Sergeant Cruz-Rosario detached from 2nd LAR and was transferred back to Division FSCC, 10th Marines.
In March 2015, Sergeant Cruz-Rosario was promoted to Staff Sergeant and assumed his duties as 2nd LAR Battalion and 2nd Tank Battalion Fire Support Chief. In July 2016, he deployed as an IA to Combined Joint Forces Land Component Command - Operation Inherent Resolve (CJFLCC-OIR). While there, he worked in the Strike Cell as the Strike Cell SNCOIC. During this tour Staff Sergeant Cruz-Rosario was directly responsible for the execution of over 700 air strikes and 900 individual artillery and HIMARS engagements against ISIL in support of Iraq Security Forces. Upon completion of this tour, Staff Sergeant Cruz-Rosario returned to Division FSCC, 10th Marines where he served as the Assistant 2D Marine Division Fires Chief. While at 10th Marines, he also served as the II MEF Target Information Chief.
Staff Sergeant Cruz-Rosario executed PCA orders to 2d Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company (ANGLICO), II MIG, II MEF on January 4, 2017. While there he served as both the Chief for Supporting Arms Liaison Team (SALT) D and Brigade Chief for 2d Brigade Platoon. Staff Sergeant Cruz-Rosario participated in multiple regimental level joint and coalition exercises Burmese Chase on-board Camp Lejeune, NC and Green Cannon in UK. Towards the end of his tenure there, Staff Sergeant Cruz-Rosario graduated the Norwegian Winter Course at the Norwegian School of Winter Warfare and participated in exercise White Ulfbert and Northern Wind with the Norwegian Artillery Hunters at Bardufoss, Norway.
In September 2019, Gunnery Sergeant Cruz-Rosario departed 2D ANGLICO and reported to 3rd Bn, 14th Mar where he served on the I&I Staff as the Regimental Fires Chief and the Headquarters Battery I&I First Sergeant. For his efforts and multiple accomplishments, Gunnery Sergeant Cruz-Rosario was inducted into the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara.
In August of 2022, Gunnery Sergeant Cruz-Rosario reported to 10th Marines where he played a vital part in the activation of the Marine Corps' first Fire Support Battery, a FD2030 initiative, and was hand-selected to serve as the Unit Senior Enlisted Advisor. On April 17, 2023, he was frocked to his current rank and executed a PCA to Battery R, 1st Bn, 10th Mar. While there, his battery was attached to BLT 1/8, 24th MEU, for a Med float.
Upon his return from the MEU, First Sergeant Cruz-Rosario CHOP'd back to 1st Bn, 10th Mar where he is now serving as the Headquarters Battery First Sergeant. He is currently attending American Military University for a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management.
First Sergeant Cruz-Rosario's personal decorations include the Purple Heart, Joint Meritorious Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two gold stars, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two gold stars, Combat Action Ribbon with gold star, and various other service and campaign medals.