His uncles, John W. and Wilson Ruckman served the Union Army with distinction in the American Civil War (Company A, Illinois 35th Infantry).

One publication by West Point notes Ruckman's "guidance" and "first-rate quality" work were obvious as the Journal "rose to high rank among the service papers of the world."

Although he ranked high in his graduating class, he was held back one year at West Point for laughing during artillery drills and "in other inappropriate places."

In his 1915 Naval War College thesis, Ruckman called for universal military service and the education of "all boys and young men" in the use of firearms.

Ruckman ordered for the executions to occur on December 11 without a review by President Woodrow Wilson and without an opportunity for the soldiers to file an appeal.

Ruckman's hastiness to execute African-American soldiers in secret sparked outrage and led the Department of War to amend General Order No.

Although his decision-making was supported by Woodrow Wilson (in a public statement),[citation needed] Ruckman was quietly relieved of command in May 1918, reduced in rank to a brigadier general, and not posted with the American Expeditionary Force in Europe.

In 1918, he distributed a scathing circular to members of the Texas State legislature and lobbied on behalf of a bill that would ban the teaching of German in public schools.

In 1920, Ruckman engaged in a very public dispute with Charles W. Eliot of Harvard regarding the quality of military education in the United States.

In 1921, Ruckman suggested in a public speech that immigrants be required to serve for a period of time in the military in order to enhance the "Americanization" process.

He also made national headlines that year by refusing to allow soldiers under his command to march in Boston's St. Patrick's Day parade (a decision supported by the Secretary of War).