MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Service members with Marine Aircraft Group 12 welcomed a new sergeant major, May 6, 2014, aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan.
Sgt. Maj. David M. Reaves passed the sword of office to Sgt. Maj. Sergio MartinezRuiz.
During his nearly 30 years of service, Reaves served an assortment of billets in a variety of fields from senior drill instructor and company first sergeant to intelligence chief for 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines in Marine Corps Base Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. In June 2012, Reaves took the position as sergeant major for MAG-12 “The Ready Group.”
“I’ve had the pleasure to work with Sgt. Maj. Reaves for the past year,” said Col. Hunter H. Hobson, commanding officer of MAG-12. “He is the definition of what a sergeant major is supposed to be and act like.”
Hobson said Reaves’ demeanor comes from his past experiences, and his ability to implement them is a testament to his leadership style. Hobson added that he is certain Reaves will do great things at his new duty station.
Reaves said he looks forward to seeing his new home, the Marine Corps Information Operations Center in Quantico, Va., and is confident MAG-12 is in good hands with MartinezRuiz.
However, MartinezRuiz is not new to the role of sergeant major. For more than a year MartinezRuiz was the acting sergeant major for Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12.
According to Lt. Col. Michael Gonzales, the commanding officer for MALS-12, MartinezRuiz is an exemplary Marine.
“It’s a bitter sweet day,” said Gonzales. “Sgt. Maj. MartinezRuiz is my right-hand man. It’s a shame MALS-12 is losing him, however, he now has the opportunity to show MAG-12 the type of leader he is and the commitment he has to his Marines.”
Both Gonzales and Hobson expressed their confidence in the newly posted sergeant major and said they look forward in seeing everything he will accomplish.