After graduating from Steinmetz High School, Class of '96, in Chicago, Illinois, Ruben Soto Jr enlisted into the Marine Corps on 24 September 1996. He attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA. Upon completion of recruit training and MCT, Private Soto reported to Motor Transport School, Marine Corps Detachment (MARCORPSDET), Fort Leonard Wood, MO.
Upon completion of his MOS school, Private First Class Soto reported for duty at 8th Motor Transport Battalion, 2d Force Service Support Group (2d FSSG), Camp Lejeune, NC in April of 1997. There he served as a motor transport operator and participated in several deployments with the 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). During his time with the 22d MEU he was promoted to the ranks of corporal and sergeant and assisted in operations in Egypt, Israel and Jordan.
In March of 2001 Sergeant Soto received orders as an instructor at, MARCORPSDET Fort Leonard Wood, MO. During his tenure as an instructor, Sergeant Soto taught the Logistics Vehicle System (LVS). and would later receive orders to 2dTransportation Battalion (2d TSB) 2d FSSG, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
In August of 2002, Sergeant Soto was transferred to 22d Transportation Support Battalion (2d TSB) 2d FSSG, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, were he served as Platoon Sergeant, 1st Platoon, Alpha Company. As a Platoon Sergeant, Sergeant Soto would participate and deploy in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF).
In August of 2004, Sergeant Soto was transferred to Headquarters and Service Battalion (H&S Bn), 2d Marine Logistics Group (2d MLG). During his time in H&S Bn he deployed as a platoon sergeant in support of OIF-IV. He returned from Iraq in May of 2006 and received orders to Drill Instructor School, Paris Island, SC.
In October of 2006 Sergeant Soto was promoted to staff sergeant and would report to Delta Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion to serve for drill instructor duty. While on drill instructor duty, Staff Sergeant Soto would serve as a drill instructor, senior drill instructor, series gunnery sergeant and battalion S-3 chief.
In August of 2009 Staff Sergeant Soto was transferred to I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, Camp Pendleton, CA where he served as the motor transport operations chief. In January of 2010 Staff Sergeant Soto deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) 11.1 and 11.2 where he served as the motor transport operations chief and company gunnery sergeant. Staff Sergeant Soto returned from combat operations in March of 2011 and would execute orders to 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA.
In September 2011 Staff Sergeant Soto was selected to the rank of gunnery sergeant and would serve as the Motor Transport Operations Chief, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division.
In October Of 2012 Gunnery Sergeant Soto received orders to Marine Air Support Squadron 3 (MASS-3), Marine Air Control Group 38 (MACG-38), 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (3rd MAW) to serve as the squadron motor transport operations chief and headquarters company first sergeant. While at MASS-3 he deployed in support of OEF 14.1, was selected to the rank of first sergeant, frocked in April of 2015 and transferred to 2d Combat Engineer Battalion where he served as the Charlie Company First Sergeant and Mobility Assault Company, 2d Combat Engineer Battalion.
In June 2017 First Sergeant Soto reported to 1st Battalion 6th Marines. 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, NC, to serve as the weapons company first sergeant where he deployed to the Marine Rotational Force Europe and Africa.
From June 2019 to current, Sergeant Major Soto has served as the 2d Battalion 4th Marines, MASS-3 and currently Combat Logistics Regiment 3 Command Senior Enlisted Leader.
His personal decorations include: Meritorious Service Medal with gold star in lieu of second award, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with four gold stars in lieu of fifth award, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with gold star in lieu of second award.