Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Eric M. Smith passes the noncommissioned officer sword to the incoming Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Sgt. Maj. Carlos A. Ruiz, during a relief and appointment ceremony at Marine Barracks Washington, Aug. 10, 2023. (Kelsey Dornfeld/U.S. Marine Corps)

A hearty “oorah” to the 20th senior enlisted Marine.

Sgt. Maj. Carlos A. Ruiz assumed responsibility as sergeant major of the Marine Corps from Sgt. Maj. Troy E. Black, who had been in the post since July 26, 2019, during a relief and appointment ceremony Thursday at Marine Barracks Washington.

“Our corps today is fit to fight, and it’s getting better every day,” Ruiz said in a video message Thursday. “Our equipment’s getting better, our technology’s getting smarter and more importantly, you are getting more lethal. It is in fact you, the individual Marine, that the corps draws its strength from. Your professional and individual development is what we will continue to focus on.”

Ruiz, a native of Agua Prieta, Mexico, enlisted in the Marine Corps out of Phoenix in 1993. He has served combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, and most recently served as the command senior enlisted leader for Marine Forces Reserve and Marine Forces South.

As the senior enlisted Marine, Ruiz will work alongside the Marine commandant and advise him on the issues that affect enlisted troops.

“Sergeant Major Ruiz’s accomplishments and successes as a leader make him the perfect Marine to serve as the 20th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps,” Black said in a Marine Corps news release. “I am absolutely certain he will be a relentless advocate for our warfighters and their families.”

Black, a 35-year Marine who has served in Iraq and Afghanistan, served as the senior enlisted Marine under Marine Commandant Gen. David Berger. He is set to become the fifth senior enlisted adviser to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, or SEAC, in November, replacing retiring SEAC Ramon "CZ" Colon-Lopez.

Berger stepped down as commandant in July after serving four years in the role. Gen. Eric Smith, the assistant commandant, was nominated for the role and is now serving as acting commandant, as Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville has blocked the Senate from confirming hundreds of general and flag officer nominations by voice vote since February.