Emerson Cruz is a native of Tinian, CNMI. He graduated from Tinian High School in Tinian, CNMI in 2006. Emerson Cruz enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2006 and attended recruit training at Delta Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego California. Upon completion of recruit training in January of 2007.
Private First Class Cruz attended Marine Combat Training Battalion. Upon Completion Of Marine Combat Training Battalion, he attended Motor Vehicle Operator Course in Fort Leonardwood Missouri. He was assigned the military occupational specialty 3531, Motor Vehicle Operator.
Private First Class Cruz reported to Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 10th Marines in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina in April of 2007. While a member of 3rd Battalion, 10th Marines, Private First Class Cruz was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal and served as a vehicle operator. In March of 2008, Lance Corporal Cruz deployed to Iraq in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Lance Corporal Cruz was promoted to the rank of Corporal in October of 2008. Corporal Cruz deployed with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit in September of 2010 and deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
In August of 2011, Corporal Cruz reported to the Motor Vehicle Operator Course Fort Leonardwood Missouri and attended Basic/Senior Instructor Course and Fort Leonardwood Academy. Upon completion, he served as an Instructor for Echo Company. Corporal Cruz was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in October of 2011. During his tenure, Sergeant Cruz certified over 790 marines as Motor Vehicle Operators.
Sergeant Cruz reported to Headquarters Company, Marine Corps Embassy Security Group to serve as the S-4 Chief and the Motor Transportation Chief.
Sergeant Cruz reported to Marine Combat Instructor School October of 2015. Upon graduating, he earned the military occupational specialty 0913, Combat Instructor. Sergeant Cruz reported to Fox Company, Marine Combat Training Battalion, School of Infantry-East in January of 2016. Sergeant Cruz was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant in October of 2016. Staff Sergeant Cruz was hand selected to serve as a Weapons and Tactics primary instructor in January of 2017. Staff Sergeant Cruz was assigned as a Team Leader in the Instructor Group in May of 2017. Staff Sergeant Cruz was hand selected to serve as the Chief Instructor for Fox Company, Marine Combat Training Battalion, School of Infantry-East. During his tenure, Staff Sergeant Cruz trained over 10,000 Marines into basic rifleman.
In January 2019, Staff Sergeant Cruz reported as the Chief Dispatcher to Motor Transport Branch (MTB), Headquarters & Services Battalion, Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan.
In May 2019, Staff Sergeant Cruz reported as a Marksmanship Trainer to Formal Marksmanship Training Center (FMTC), Headquarters & Services Battalion, Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. During this time, Staff Sergeant Cruz served as the Combat Marksmanship Trainer Chief Instructor and Academics Advisor for FMTC.
In August 2019, Staff Sergeant Cruz reported as the Chief Dispatcher/Road Master to Motor Transport Branch (MTB), Headquarters & Services Battalion, Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. During his time in MTB, Staff Sergeant Cruz held the additional billets of Operations Chief, Fleet Coordinator, Road Master, Platoon Sergeant, and Vehicle Coordinator maintaining accountability of over 1,400 Non-Tactical Vehicles and Material Heavy Equipment. August 2021, Staff Sergeant Cruz was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant.
In February 2022, Gunnery Sergeant Cruz reported to 3rd MLG, CLR3, HQs Co Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan as the Company Gunnery Sergeant. Gunnery Sergeant Cruz deployed to Balikatan 22 where he served as the Camp Commandant. In August 2022, Gunnery Sergeant Cruz reported to Regimental S3 as the Current Operations Chief. Gunnery Sergeant Cruz deployed to Kamandag 6 as the PH/IT Chief and Balikatan 23 where he served as the Action Officer and Regimental Operations Chief for the Logistics Command Element.
In June 2023, Gunnery Sergeant Cruz reported to III MEF Support BN, Support Co Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan where he served as the Motor Transport Operations Chief. On Feb 2024, Gunnery Sergeant Cruz was assigned as the BN Operations Chief where he coordinated, planned, and supported many exercises to include Freedom Shield, MEU CERTEX, MUSA Strike, Ulchi Freedom Shield, Resolute Dragon, Keen Sword, MEU JIMEX, and Freedom Banner.
In February 2025, Gunnery Sergeant Cruz was promoted to First Sergeant and received orders to 4th Marine Division, 25th Marine Regiment, Truck Company Erie, Pennsylvania. First Sergeant Cruz currently serves as the Erie Inspector -Instructor First Sergeant and Senior Enlisted Leader for Truck Company.
First Sergeant Cruz’s personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, with three gold stars in lieu of fourth award, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with one gold star in lieu of second Award, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and Good Conduct Medal with 1 silver star in lieu of sixth award.