Exchange Newlyweds Hear Call of Military Service after Wedding Bells

Exchange Services Business technician Kristen Ruiz and Express laborer Jemse Cruz are planning to reach another milestone together as a couple – joining the Nation’s military, as newlyweds.

The couple, who met at the Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Exchange, married Dec. 21 after taking the first steps to enlist in the Army together.

The couple completed the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) and the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) in August.

Ruiz, now at the JBSA-Lackland Exchange, said their mutual desire prompted them to enlist together.

“When he was talking about it with me, he was like, ‘Oh, maybe I want to do it after college,’ then I was like, ‘I’ve thought about joining too, so why not do this process together?’” Ruiz said. “That’s how it started. We both went to the recruiter. We both did the ASVAB and MEPS at the same time.”

Jemse Cruz and Kristen Ruiz at a Veterans Day parade.

Joint Base San Antonio Exchange General Manager Mikel Hunter said he was excited to learn about their wedding and intent to serve.

“I first thought, ‘This is absolutely beautiful that these two, after being together and learning about each other through the Exchange, just got married,” Hunter said. “I was absolutely excited.”

Ruiz said she’s been interested in joining the Army for several years.

“My grandpa used to be in the Army. Around 2019, I was moving back to San Antonio, so I held off on it,” she said. “Then after going to school for a little bit, I decided I’d join when I’m done with college. I talked with a recruiter and then everything just took off from there.”

Ruiz studies business and marketing at Texas A&M University. She expects to graduate in May.

Cruz, who has been with the Randolph Exchange for three years, said he is following in his parents’ footsteps. He is also a film studies student and also expects to graduate from the University of Texas-San Antonio in May.

“My parents have been in the military for over 20 years,” he said. “I was going to do college first, then do the military. At first, I was like, ‘Maybe I won’t do it,’ but I’ve changed my mind because of the desire to serve and follow in the footsteps of my parents.”

Cruz met Ruiz after he started at the JBSA-Randolph Exchange in 2021. Though they worked in different departments, the two connected and hit it off.

The couple takes comfort knowing the Exchange will be there during every step of their military careers.

“I’ve been with the Exchange for a good chunk of my adult life,” Ruiz said. “I’ve been with it for almost seven years. We always say there’s always going to be the Exchange there, whether we retire or get out after six years.”

Ruiz said having Cruz by her side has made navigating her Exchange career easier.

“I can talk to him, and he knows what certain things mean,” Ruiz said. “When I did the SBMA (Service Business Managers Academy), I told him about it. It was a new program for me. When I told him it was like RMA (Retail Management Academy), him knowing that it was management training for Services was great for me.”

Their wedding day was an Exchange affair — with several associates in attendance.

“One of my close friends also works for the Exchange,” Ruiz said. “She was with us. Our photographer also came from the Exchange. All our close friends were able to come out and support us.”

Hunter said the couple is beloved by everyone they’re in contact with at the Exchange.

“They are absolutely liked, loved and accepted by the Exchange family,” Hunter said. “You can always count on them.”

Ruiz said the Exchange has given her an opportunity, to which Cruz said it gave them an opportunity to meet each other.

“Before my Express job, I had an offer for an interview, but I turned it down,” Cruz said. “My life could have been completely different.”