Major General Juan G. Ayala is currently assigned as the Inspector General of the United States Marine Corps.

Major General Ayala was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant on 1 July 1979 after graduating from the University of Texas at El Paso. After completing follow-on schools, he was assigned to Marine Corps Base, Camp Butler, Okinawa, Japan where he served at both Camps Butler and McTureous.

In August of 1983, he was assigned to Camp Pendleton, California where he served for three years with the 1st Marine Division and 3 years with the 1st Force Service Support Group.

In August of 1990, he was assigned to the newly-formed Joint Task Force 6 (Counter Drug Operations) at Fort Bliss, Texas. While there, the Task Force completed over 300 counterdrug interdiction and support missions along the Southwest U.S. border.

In July of 1994, he was assigned to the 2d Marine Aircraft Wing at Cherry Point, North Carolina. While there he served as the Executive Officer and later Commanding Officer of Marine Wing Support Squadron 271. Under his command, the Squadron participated in operations and exercises in Lithuania, Norway, Nicaragua, Haiti, and counterdrug missions along the Southwest U.S. border. During this tour he also deployed to Operation Sea Signal (JTF-160) at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in support of Cuban and Haitian refugee operations.

In July of 2001, he was assigned as Chief, Humanitarian Assistance Branch at Headquarters, United States European Command in Stuttgart, Germany. While there, he coordinated Humanitarian Assistance Programs in support of the United States’ Strategic Engagement policies throughout 60 countries in Eastern Europe, Africa, the Balkans, the Baltics, the Caucasus, and the former Soviet Union.

In July of 2002, he was assigned as the Assistant Chief of Staff G-4 at 3d Marine Aircraft Wing at Miramar, California. During that assignment, he deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF I). After returning from OIF I, he was assigned as the Commanding Officer of Marine Wing Support Group 37 and re-deployed with his Group in February of 2004 to OIF II. The Group supported combat operations from 11 different sites throughout Iraq.

In July of 2005, he was assigned as the Chief of Staff, 1st Marine Logistics Group at Camp Pendleton, California and in January of 2006, he volunteered to serve as an embedded advisor to the 1st Iraqi Army Division in Habbaniyah, Iraq. For one year, he and his advisors participated in counterinsurgency and combat operations in Habbaniyah, Fallujah, Nasser wa’ Salaam and Ar Ramadi.

He was promoted to Brigadier General on 8 August 2008 and served as the Commanding General, 2d Marine Logistics Group at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, from May 2008 to June 2010. During this tour, he and his Group deployed to Iraq participating in operations in Al Anbar province. He commanded the last Marine Logistics Group to serve in Iraq as the Marine Corps drew down its forces and returned control of the province to Iraqi Security Forces.

During his 32 year career Major General Ayala has served in command and staff billets at every level from platoon to group. He has commanded Marines on four different occasions at the company, squadron, regiment and group level, including twice during combat operations. He has completed four tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and was promoted to Major General in August of 2011.

Major General Ayala has attended the following military and civilian schools:
Amphibious Warfare School
Army Command and General Staff College
Naval War College (Master of Arts National Security and Strategic Studies)
University of Texas at El Paso (Bachelor Business Administration)
Campbell University (Master Business Administration)

Other recognition: While in command, his units have received the following recognition: Marine Corps Aviation Association's Jim Hatch Award for the 1998 Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) of the Year (MWSS 271) and, the 2005 James McGuire Award for Exceptional Achievement (Security Battalion, Marine Wing Support Group 37).
He received the 2007 Excellence in Military Service Award from The League of United Latin American Citizens.

His personal decorations include:
Legion of Merit with “V” Combat Distinguishing Device & Gold Star (2d Award)
Bronze Star Medal
Defense Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Meritorious Service Medal
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal
Combat Action Ribbon