1ST SGT. Chyna L. Ruffin
First Sergeant (1SG) Chyna L. Ruffin is a native of Crestview, Florida. She enlisted in the U.S. Army in September 2007 and completed both Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina where she was awarded the Military Occupation Specialty of 42A – Human Resources (HR) Specialist. As an HR professional, 1SG Ruffin began her career as a Postal clerk with the 111th AG Postal Company in Vicenza Italy, before transitioning to the 14th Transportation Battalion as an HR Specialist. She later served with the 14th Combat Support Hospital, Ft. Benning, GA continuing in her role as an HR Specialist. Advancing in leadership, 1SG Ruffin took on the role as the Battalion S1 Noncommissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) with the 36th Signal Battalion at Camp Walker, South Korea. She was then nominated for assignment with the Army Field Support Center, Ft. Meade, MD as a Senior HR NCO, and later became the Military Personnel Division NCOIC. From there she served at the Human Resources Command Ft. Knox, KY as the Special Operations Branch NCOIC within the Special Management Division. Following that assignment, she was selected to serve with the Department of the Army G1 Integrated Personnel and Pay System – Army (IPPS-A) as a functional capability manager. She then transitioned to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Pentagon Washington, DC serving as the J1 Senior Human Resources Manager. 1SG Ruffin has deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (2008-2010) and Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan (2012-2013).
1SG Ruffin’s military education includes Basic Leaders Course (DHG), Advanced Leaders Course (CL), Senior Leaders Course, Master Leaders Course, Combat Lifesaver Course, Postal Operations Course, Commanders total fitness Course, Field Sanitation Course, Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) Course, Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape (SERE), HR Plans and Operations, and Operations Security program manager Course. 1SG Ruffin holds an Associate of Arts from the University of Maryland Global Campus and is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and Learning at the University of Louisville.
1SG Ruffin’s awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (1OLC), Army Commendation Medal (4OLC), Army Achievement Medal (6OLC), Meritorious Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal (5th Award), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 3), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (Numeral 3), NATO Medal, Joint Staff Identification Badge, Army Staff Badge and the Major General Horatio Gates Medal (Bronze).
1SG Ruffin is married to Mr. Wallace Ruffin Jr. (Army Ret.) and together they have two children: Kaleesi (9), Wallace Ruffin III (4).