Sergeant Major (SGM) Ruben Murillo Jr. was born and raised in Houston, Texas where he graduated from Jefferson Davis High School in June 1996. He entered the United States Army in November 1996, completed One Station Unit Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and was awarded the MOS 12B, Combat Engineer.
SGM Murillo’s previous assignments include 20th Engineer Battalion (EN BN), 1st Cavalry Division (1CD), 70th EN BN, 1st Armored Division (1AD), 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1CD, Houston Recruiting Battalion, 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 215th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Engineer Battalion (BEB), 1CD, Bucknell University ROTC, the Division Chief Engineer and Protection SGM, 1AD, Commander of Bagram Airfield Senior Enlisted Leader (COMBAF SEL) in support of United States Forces – Afghanistan (USFOR-A) and Resolute Support Mission, Command Sergeant Major (CSM) for 16th BEB, 1AD and United States Army Garrison – Alaska Garrison CSM. SGM Murillo has held every leadership position from Team Leader to Command Sergeant Major.
SGM Murillo’s previous deployments include Operation Joint Forge with 20th EN BN from August 1998 to April 1999, Operation Desert Spring with 70th EN BN from May 2002 to October 2002, Operation Iraqi Freedom II with 20th EN BN from March 2004 to March 2005, Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-08 with 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment from October 2006 to January 2008 and Operation Resolute Support Mission with HHBN, 1AD from July 2019 to November 2019. He has also attended numerous rotations to the National Training Center and the Joint Readiness Training Center.
SGM Murillo’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star (1OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (2OLC), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (3OLC), Army Achievement Medal (2OLC), Joint Meritorious Unit Award (1OLC), Valorous Unit Award, Army Superior Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal (9th award), National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (1BS), Afghanistan Campaign Medal (1BS), Iraqi Campaign Medal (4BS), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (5), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (3), NATO Medal (1BS), the Combat Action Badge, German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (Gold), Recruiter Badge (Gold & Silver), Driver’s Badge (Track & Wheel), the Expert Rifle & Pistol Qualification Badges and is a recipient of the Bronze Order of the de Fleury Medal.
SGM Murillo’s military schools include the United States Army Sergeant’s Major Academy Class 68, Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Primary Leadership Development Course, Combat Life Saver Course, Unit Master Driver Course, Unit Safety Officer Course, Rear Detachment Operations Course, Company Commander/First Sergeant Pre-Command Course, Battle Staff Noncommissioned Officer Course, Combative Course, Master Resiliency Trainer Course, Joint Engineer Operations Course, Engineer CDR/CSM Pre-Command Course, BN CDR/CSM Pre-Command Course, BDE CDR/CSM Pre-Command Course and the Garrison CDR/CSM Pre-Command Course. SGM Murillo has a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts from Excelsior College.
SGM Murillo resides in the Northern Virginia area with his spouse, Dafney. His short-term goal is to successfully complete his tenure as the HQDA, ODCS, G-9, DPRR SGM. His long-term goals are to continue to be selected to Nominative level assignments and receive his Master’s Degree in Psychology to serve as a counselor for Soldiers suffering from PTSD after retirement.