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1SG NELSON S. CRUZ
First Sergeant, Public Health Activity – Gordon


SFC Nelson S. Cruz graduated from American Military University in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. SFC Cruz earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports and Health Science in 2022 and a Certified Personal Trainer certificate in 2023. He is currently the acting First Sergeant of Public Health Activity-Fort Knox.


SFC Cruz began his career as a Veterinary Food Inspector (VFI) in 2010.  His assignments include Public Health Command District-FT. Gordon, Charleston Naval Weapon Station, South Carolina; Public Health Command District Fort Belvoir, Fort Drum New York; Served as aTeam Leader and Platoon SGT at Public Health Command District-Central Pacific Fort Shafter and Schofield Barracks Hawaii; Squad Leader, 44th Medical Brigade, 248th Medical Detachment Veterinary Service Support (MDVSS) Fort Bragg North Carolina; Served as a Squad Leader and Operations NCO, 62nd Medical Brigade, 47th CSH, 218th MDVSS Joint Base Lewis McChord, Washington; and Platoon SGT, Public Health Activity-Fort Knox, Fort Knox Branch.

His military education includes Battle Staff course, Combat Casualty Care course, Senior Leader course (Commandants graduate), Army Marksmanship course, Army Public Health course, Surveillance Food Lab course, TC-AIMS II Functional User course, Equal Opportunity Leader course, Advance Leader course (Commandants graduate), Master Fitness Trainer Course, Installation Veterinary Prime Vendor course, Installation Food Vulnerability course, Air Assault, Combative level 1 course, Combative level 2 course, Field Sanitary Team course, Basic Leader course (Commandants graduate), ServSafe course.

His awards and decorations include: Air Assault Badge, DRV/MECH Driver & Mechanic Badge-WHL-VE, ARCOM (4 OCL), AAM (11 OCL), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Superior Unit Award (1 OCL), Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, NOPDR NCO Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 3), AGCM Good Conduct Medal (4th award), Certificate of Achievement (8th Award).

SFC Cruz is married to Stephany Cruz who is in the U.S Army, they have two children Constance (2 years old) and Jayleen Cruz (10 years old) who enjoy training Mixed Martial Arts (BJJ, Wrestling, and Muay Thai).  His daughter Jayleen Cruz is Kentucky’s 2023 number 1 ranked wrestler in her weight division.