CMDCS Wilson R. Cruz

Command Senior Enlisted Leader, USS Miguel Keith (ESB 5) Blue Crew

16 October 2025 Senior Chief Cruz is a native of New York, NY. He joined the Navy and reported to Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, IL in 2001. 

His initial sea tour was onboard USS TICONDEROGA (CG 47) from February 2002 to September 2004, where he served as what was previously known as Mess Management Specialist (MS) Cook on Watch, Wardroom Cook, and Watch Captain for the Food Service division. During this tour, he deployed in 2004 for the ship’s final voyage conducting Counter Drug Operations around South America. Upon completion of this tour, he then reported to USS HALYBURTON (FFG 40) in Mayport, Forida from 2004-2006 where he deployed in support of Counter Drug Operations in South America. 

His next assignment was onboard Naval Hospital Jacksonville, Florida, assigned as the Dietary Services Supervisor from 2006 to 2009, where he was promoted to Petty Officer Second Class. In 2009, he reported to USS DEWEY (DDG 105) in San Diego, California, where he is a PLANKOWNER, and promoted to Petty Officer First Class assigned as the Food Service Division Leading Petty Officer from 2009-2013. He took the ship on their maiden deployment in 2011. He then reported to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, where he served as the Command Limited Duty Coordinator and Patient Administration Departmental Leading Petty Officer from 2013-2016. 

He deployed onboard USNS COMFORT (T-AH 19)  in support of Continuing Promise 15 in the South America AOR. In July 2016, he reported to the Forward Deployed Naval Forces Japan USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76) serving as Food Service Division Leading Petty Officer supporting “Tip of the Spear” patrols in the South East Asia AOR from 2016-2019. 

He then reported to Joint Base Pearl Harbor (JBPH) in Hickam, Hawaii where he was selected to Chief Petty Officer. During his tour, he volunteered to deploy onboard USS MICHAEL MURPHY (DDG 112) filing a crucial gapped E-8 billet. Upon completion of his tour at JBPHH, he reported to USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71) during their Docking Planned Incremental Availability from 2022-2023, and then reported to NAVAL BASE SAN DIEGO where he was promoted to Senior Chief Petty Officer in 2023. He was later assigned to USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72) serving as the Hotel Services Leading Chief Petty Officer where he deployed in the FIFTH and SEVENTH Fleet AOR, and was selected to the Command Senior Enlisted Leader program. 

He is currently assigned as the Command Senior Chief for USS MIGUEL KEITH (ESB 5) Blue Crew. 

He is a graduate of the United States Navy Senior Enlisted Academy, Naval Leadership & Ethics Center (NLEC) CMC/COB course. 

Senior Chief Cruz’s decorations include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (5 awards), Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and various unit and campaign awards. He has also earned his Surface Warfare and Aviation Warfare Specialist qualifications.