Command Sgt. Maj. Javier Ratliff hails from El Paso, Texas. In October 1993, he enlisted into the U.S. Army as an infantryman and attended One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Georgia. Upon graduation, his first assignment was with the 5th Battalion 20th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, Camp Casey, Korea, as an infantryman. Next, he served with the 2nd Battalion 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division as a team leader and squad leader. He also served with the 1st Battalion 30th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division as a section leader, platoon master gunner and company master gunner.
On July 20, 2000, Ratliff began his recruiting career as a recruiter in Laredo, Texas. He reclassified to military occupational specialty 79R, recruiter, and then served as a station commander for four stations: Corpus Christi North Recruiting Station, Harlingen Recruiting Station, McAllen Recruiting Station, and Zaragosa Recruiting Station. Some accomplishments during these key positions include: selection as the 5th Recruiting Brigade NCO of the Year FY02 and USAREC NCO of the Year Runner-up FY02. He was meritoriously promoted to sergeant first class and also inducted into the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club in 2003. Ratliff served as a first sergeant for three companies: Colorado Springs Recruiting Company, Orlando Recruiting Company, and Phoenix North Recruiting Company. He was selected as the 5th BDE First Sergeant of the Year for FY11. He also served as a Military Entrance Processing Station senior guidance counselor and as a battalion senior master trainer. Ratliff served as the operations sergeant major for both the Phoenix and the Miami Recruiting Battalions.
Ratliff’s military education includes the Basic Leader Course, Advance Leader Course, Bradley Infantry Vehicle Master Gunner Course, Army Recruiter Course, Station Commander Course, Guidance Counselor Operations Course, Master Resiliency Trainer Course, Dept. of the Army First Sergeants Course, USAREC First Sergeant Course, and he is a graduate of the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy Class 68.
Ratliff’s awards and decorations include the Amy Superior Unit Award (2nd award), the Meritorious Service Medal (5th award), the Army Commendation Medal (7th award), the Army Achievement Medal (10th award), Good Conduct Medal (8th award), National Defense Service Medal (with bronze star), Global War on Terror Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon with 5 device, Overseas Service Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, Driver Badge Wheel, the Expert Infantry Badge, the Master Gunner Identification Badge, the U.S. Army Gold Recruiter Badge with three sapphires, the Recruiter Ring, and the Glen E. Morrell Award for Recruiting Excellence. He is also a member of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club.
Ratliff holds a Bachelor of Professional Studies in business management.