Page 2
Page 11
THE NMMI
New Mexico Military Institute • Roswell, New Mexico
Page 3
Page 5
Page 6
DISPATCHES
www.nmmi.edu • March / April 2015 Edition
U.S. ARMY CADET COMMAND ELIMINATES AFI
inspection and Interview, Instructor
Portfolio inspection and Interview,
Unit Report, In-Ranks, Color Guard,
Cadet Drill, Cadet Staff Interviews,
and overall JROTC Program
examination.
In order to sustain the NMMI
“AFI” tradition of excellence, NMMI
will expand the external evaluation
singularly focused on the JROTC
program to a capstone, end-of-year
training, leader development, and
fitness assessment of the entire
Corps of Cadets. The JPA and ACI
will be concurrent events, and the
entire Corps of Cadets, JROTC,
SROTC, Athletic Department and the
BG Richard V. Geraci, USA (RET)
Commandant/Dean of Students
The Annual Federal Inspection
(AFI), an external U.S Army Cadet
Command (USACC) evaluation
which focused on NMMI’s High
School JROTC Mustang Battalion
has been replaced by the AdvancEd
JROTC Program Assessment
for Accreditation (JPA). The
accreditation visit will now evaluate
JROTC academic programs and
instructors, as defined by public laws,
contracts, Army Regulations, and
Cadet Command policies to ensure
compliance with Army program
criteria. The JPA is more focused
on observing JROTC instructors in
the classroom and the academic
outcomes.
The new JPA removes the “Honor
Unit of Distinction” as an award
Commandant’s staff will be involved.
The transition from the old Annual
Federal Inspection (AFI) to the new
Annual Corps Inspection (ACI) took
place for the first time this past April.
Three JROTC JPA evaluated events
were incorporated in the ACI; The
Mustang Battalion Continuous Staff
Improvement Briefing, the Color
Guard Competition, and the Cadet
Staff Evaluations. Additionally,
fifteen discrete events throughout the
month of April were evaluated using
competitions, exams, and inspections
to provide a comprehensive
Continued on Page 3
category for recognition of the
highest standard of achievement
in an annual inspection. NMMI has
always been recognized as an “Honor
Unit of Distinction.” With the new
change, NMMI will no longer be
able to claim to be a JROTC Honor
Unit of Distinction from an external
evaluation source, thus, making null
and void an enormous and impressive
accomplishment and standing
tradition for NMMI and the Corps of
Cadets.
NMMI’s JROTC program will
receive a JPA visit at least once every
three years, with JPA visits conducted
no later than 1 May each year. An
assistance visit will take place when
no JPA is scheduled. The new JPA
assessment visit consists of ten
categories: Battalion Staff Continuous
Improvement Briefing, Service
Learning Briefing, Cadet Portfolio
NEW MEXICO MILITARY INSTITUTE
101 West College Blvd.
Roswell, NM 88201-5173
Bataan 2015 Participants
I received this message from the
Christmas Family. It is intended for
each of you:
Non-Profit
Organization
US Postage
PAID
Permit No. 204
Roswell, NM
Dear General Grizzle,
Brad and I want you to know how
proud we were to wear our NMMI
t-shirts for the Bataan Memorial
Death March. Our whole family was
quite touched by the gesture of all of
us and the cadets and staff wearing
t-shirts in memory of Todd. It meant
a great deal to us.
We were so proud of the cadets.
They were so kind and polite. They
made a big impression on everyone
there. They represented NMMI so
very well.
Thank you for the great support
from the Corps and from you. We
were quite inspired and plan on
being there next year, too.
Always,
Becky Christmas
T H E N M M I DISPATCHES
PAGE 2
Establishing a Legacy
LTC Michael O’Neil, JROTC Senior Army Instructor
The New Mexico Military Institute
Goss Rifles Regulation Drill Team,
The Cadet Challenge Physical
Fitness Team, The Competition
Color Guard and The McBride
Air Rifle Team participated in the
annual Amigo Military Skills Drill
Meet at El Paso, Texas. This Meet
occurred on 27 February and 28
February 2015, hosted jointly by Del
Valle High School-El Paso and the
U.S. Army JROTC Conquistador
Battalion Corps of Cadets. The 1st
Armored Division from Fort Bliss, TX
and the UTEP Army Senior ROTC
Department from El Paso provided
head judge and line judge support
for this great meet.
The Goss Rifles delivered an
outstanding performance; earning
3rd in both armed exhibition
performance and armed inspection,
cumulating in a 2nd place trophy
for overall armed exhibition drill.
Congratulations to the Goss Team
Commander, c/CPT Eric Fouratt
who earned 1st place in the coveted
Armed Drill Team Commanders
Award. The 13 cadets who all
performed admirably, were Eric
Fouratt, Ingmar Hemesath, Michael
Smith, Angle Apodaca, Lake
Keating, Colten Herrera, Caleb
Graff, Alexander Chamberlin,
Andrew Volgenin, Michael Brumlow,
Michael Fody, Timothy Lockwood,
and Kristian Gonzales.
The Competition Color Guard
consisting of Andrew Carabajal,
Sarah Kirkland, David Elias-Campa,
Dutch Lane, Caleb Charlie, Lariza
Zamudio, Blake Estes, Holden
Moritz, Saul Aguirre, Alyssa
Bolander, Abigail Valadez, and
Samantha Rodriquez all performed
admirably earning fourth place overall.
The McBride Air Rifle Team
consisting of Heather Warren, Ivona
Luettgen, Ian Coleman, Michael
Rogers, Coleman Briscoe, Connor
Burnell, and Francisco Smukalla all
performed admirably earning fourth
place overall.
The Competition Physical
Fitness Team consisting of Juan
Estremadoyro, Jaeger Umipig, Kate
Darrah, Natalie Holnes, Santiago
Quintana, Jose Ariza, Manuel
Palacios, Elise Coakley, Rochelle
Marifosque, Katianne Flury, and
Krimhilda Garibay all performed
admirably earning sixth place
overall.
NMMI rounded out this drill meet
when Cadet Michael Smith took
1st place in the Armed Individual
Exhibition Drill Competition.
Fourteen high schools from the
states of Texas and New Mexico all
competed. Job well done!
Commandant of Cadets - Dean of Students
1 March 2015
MG Jerry W. Grizzle and members
of the Staff and Faculty,
It is with mixed emotions that I
must inform you that I will not be
seeking a contract for the 2015-2016
school year. Upon successfully
completing 10 1/2 years as the
Commandant and Dean of Students,
I want to take advantage of
employment opportunities closer to
my children and grandchildren in the
Kansas City area. The timing of this
letter is to ensure there is sufficient
time to select my replacement prior
to the start of the next school year.
It has been an honor and privilege
to serve thousands of cadets during
my tenure, and give back to the
school that gave me so much! Be
assured that until my departure, I will
continue to have the Commandant’s
team work at our usual high
operational tempo for the benefit and
success of our cadets. I am prepared
to assist in any way possible to
facilitate a smooth transition to the
next Commandant. I am confident
that every member of my staff is well
prepared for my departure, as I have
placed special emphasis on having a
detailed transition plan in place.
This is an opportune time to pass
the leadership reigns to the next
Commandant. I am very satisfied
with the operations and support
activities within the Commandant’s
areas of responsibility, and the
performance of the Corps of Cadets.
The organization, administration,
policies, procedures, and training
programs are in place to sustain this
high level of performance. There
is a sense of purpose, culture of
discipline, and a positive leadership
climate present in the Corps. This
can be attributed in a large part to
the consistently superb performance
of my staff, the close cooperation
with the Academic Dean and
faculty, and the excellent working
relationship with the Athletic Director
and coaches. I am particularly
proud of the partnerships we have
cultivated with our parents and family
members, alumni, and the Roswell
community. I am very confident
that the NMMI team will continue
to prepare our cadets to meet the
educational, leadership, and social
challenges of the 21st century.
I am particularly grateful for the
confidence in my leadership and
unwavering support for my decisions
that you and the Board of Regents
have consistently exhibited. That
support has been instrumental in
our collective success, long list
of achievements, and the positive
direction that NMMI is heading. I
am indebted to every member of
my staff, and sincerely appreciate
their loyalty, teamwork, hard work
and professionalism, not only in
support of me, but more importantly
in support of the cadets. All are
caring individuals who significantly
contribute every day to the success
of our cadets. The Deputies,
Squadron and Troop Leadership
Advisors, Counselors and members
of the Daniels Leadership Center
have been instrumental and very
effective in support of NMMl’s
mission.
I benefited immensely from my
association with every member of
the NMMI team. With everyone’s
support I successfully transitioned
from being a military leader to an
educational leader. I was able to
contribute to NMMI’s unique learning
environment where all cadets have
an opportunity to succeed at a high
academic level,while becoming
physically fit leaders of character.
I depart on the 40th anniversary
year of my graduation from NMMI
with absolutely no regrets and with
a sense of overwhelming pride and
accomplishment. I am completely
satisfied with my service to the
Corps of Cadets, constituents,
patrons, parents, and supporters. I
have many special memories of my
time at the Institute, and will miss
the “Old Post” and the wonderful
Roswell community.
The value of our military
educational model emphasizing
“Duty, Honor and Achievement” is as
relevant today as it was in 1891. Our
graduates are prepared for college,
a career and life! I am confident
that the school’s leadership will
continue to maintain NMMI’s
relevance to meet the constantly
changing challenges of our global
society and need for high quality
leaders of character. I look forward
to continuing to support NMMI, the
cadets, staff, faculty, and coaches
as a proud alumnus. Please don’t
hesitate to call upon me for advice,
support, recruiting, and development
activities.
T H E N M M I DISPATCHES
PAGE 3
NMMI attends annual AMCSUS conference in Alexandria, Virginia
COL David W. West, Chief of Staff
The Association of Military
Colleges and Schools of the United
States (http://www.AMCSUS.
org), “was formally established in
1914 to enable military colleges
and schools to provide a forum
in which to discuss common and
enduring challenges faced by all”
(An AMCSUS Educational Practices
Paper), celebrated its centennial
at the annual conference held at
the Westin Hotel in Alexandria,
Virginia. Over 150 individuals
including registrants representing
40 institutions were present for the
ADM Thad Allen and MG Grizzle
AFI
(continued from page 1)
assessment of the Corps of Cadets in
regard to the NMMI mission and the
Corps’ Learning Outcomes. Events
were focused on experiential learning,
planning and goal-setting skills,
supervisory skills, and essential cadet
leader tasks. The culminating event
was “ACI Day,” with formal room and
formal in-ranks inspections, along
with best platoon and best squad drill
competitions.
The concluding event is the Final
Parade which honors the staff and
faculty retirees, followed by the
announcement of the Regimental
3-day long session which included
opening ceremonies, presentations,
discussions on best practices and
key issues facing military schools
and colleges. Representatives from
Cadet Command, USAR, DOD,
Army Guard, Air Force ROTC, Navy/
Marine training and OSD were also
present. Guest speakers included
opening ceremony and keynote
speaker ADM Thad Allen, USCG
(ret) and former Congressman and
Assistant Secretary of Defense, Paul
McHale at the awards ceremony. Additionally, previous Executive
Secretaries, US Airway’s Editor,
MG Grizzle, Shawn Grizzle and BG Broome
to BG Don Broome, USA (ret) of
Hargrave Military Academy.
Current Executive Director COL
Ray Rottman, USA (ret) oversaw the
daily operations that his team put
into place and which then President
of AMCSUS, MG Jerry Grizzle
USA (ret) opened, presided and
eventually turned over the gavel after
serving two consecutive years as the
AMCSUS President. Having NMMI’s
representative as the AMCSUS
President was at least the second
time in the 100 years and ended with
MG Grizzle handing over the gavel
Along with MG Grizzle as the
presiding President of AMCSUS, BG
Geraci, BG Murray, COL West, COL
Brick, LTC Davis and MAJ Rollings
all played key roles in presenting
or participating in the events and
lectures which were focused on
Admissions. MG Grizzle and BG Broome
MG Grizzle and Former Congressman
and Assistant Sec. Paul McHale
The Commandants planned the
agenda for their 17-19 June gathering
at Riverside Military Academy.
Commander and senior Corps
leadership for the upcoming year.
The completion of the Annual
Corps Inspection (ACI) and the
announcement of the new senior
cadet leaders logically lead to
the start of the “Right Seat Ride”
leadership training and transition
activities for the new leadership for
the following academic year.
While AFI may have been
terminated by the Army, the NMMI
tradition of excellence within the
Corps of Cadets will continue with
the new Annual Corps Inspection
conducted by the Commandant’s
staff, Athletic Department, and the
Army JROTC and SROTC staffs.
Annual Pilgrimage
Cadet Chaplain (CPL) Nathaniel Swain
Cadets Volunteering
in the community through the
HOSTS Cadet Activity:
At Washington Avenue Elementary
School last Friday night, a group of
cadets assisted the school faculty
and staff with their annual Spring
Carnival. Cadets were assigned
activities like face painting, bean
and Purple Hear Foundation
representatives. bag toss, fishing, selling tickets
to families at the entrance to the
event, as well as running games and
collecting tickets from participants. On March 14th, seventeen
cadets with the New Mexico Military
Institute (NMMI) Chapel Council
embarked on their annual pilgrimage
to Chimayo, New Mexico. This
pilgrimage, sponsored by the NMMI
Alumni Memorial Chapel, brought
cadets, as well members from the
local parish together, traveling from
Roswell to Santa Fe, and then to
Chimayo. During this trip, cadets
visited the Loretto Chapel, in Santa
Fe, where they learned the story
of the chapel’s miraculous spiral
staircase. Before departing Santa
Fe, cadets visited the Saint Francis
Cathedral as well. Following, the
group began the trip to Chimayo,
where the cadets began a five mile
walk to El Santuario de Chimayo,
performing the Stations of the Cross
along the way. The El Santuario
de Chimayo, or the Sanctuary
of Chimayo, is a very popular
destination due to the holy ground
within the sanctuary, known for its
miraculous healing. Cadets were
able to explore the sanctuary and
experience all it had to offer before
having dinner and returning to NMMI.
LTC Umberger, both the advisor of
the Catholic Chapel Council as well
as the guide of the pilgrimage, stated
“The tradition of pilgrimage is very
strong in the southwest, and the
cadets enjoy visiting these historic
and religious sites each year.” While
the pilgrimage was planned by the
NMMI Alumni Memorial Chapel, both
cadets who attend religious services,
and those that do not were invited to
participate. Cadet Nathaniel Swain,
president of the Catholic Chapel
Council, as well as an attendee of
the pilgrimage, said “This pilgrimage
has a remarkable impact on those
cadets who have attended, and I
hope that cadets will participate in it
for years to come.”
T H E N M M I DISPATCHES
PAGE 4
Waterhouse Charitable
Trust Scholarship
Carrie J. S. Wong, Co-Trustee of
the Waterhouse Charitable Trust,
made a recent trip, her first, to NMMI
to visit with Waterhouse Charitable
Trust scholarship recipients. Ms.
Wong received a tour of the campus
and visited with President and
Superintendent MG Jerry Grizzle,
USA (Ret), Ph.D., Commandant of
Cadets Brigadier General Richard
V. Geraci, USA (Ret) 1975 JC, Chief
Academic Officer and Academic
Dean Brigadier General Douglas J.
Murray, USAF (Ret) and Director of
NMMI Alumni Relations LTC James
D. Lowe, 1965 HS - 1967 JC. Ms.
Wong enjoyed her visit getting to
hear first-hand from the Waterhouse
Scholars what cadet life is like for
them. She said her only regret was
not visiting NMMI sooner. She plans
to coordinate her next visit with the
annual Hawaiian Luau festival.
Cadet Musicians perform
at the Military School Band and Chorus Festival
The Waterhouse Charitable
Trust is a charitable organization
created under a trust established
by Alexander Cooke Waterhouse,
Sr. 1935 JC. Over the years the
Waterhouse Charitable Trust has
provided invaluable scholarship
support to Hawaiian cadets. Mr.
Waterhouse also established
an endowment fund for which
the earnings provide support for
Hawaiian cadet travel between the
Islands and NMMI.
Steve Thorp, LTC/NMMI
Choirmaster & Music Dept. Chair
NMMI has increased its recruiting
efforts in Hawaii in recent years. As
a result, applications received and
subsequent enrollment of Hawaiian
cadets has increased substantially.
NMMI and the NMMI Foundation,
Inc. are extremely appreciative of the
support provided by the Waterhouse
Charitable Trust.
c/1LT Bradley Cordova-Montalvo,
Clovis, NM
c/CPL Stephanie Eisenbraun,
Clovis, NM
Thirteen members of the NMMI
Regimental Band and Cadet Concert
Choir recently participated in the
39th annual Military School Band &
Choir Festival, hosted this year by
the St. John’s Northwestern Military
Academy in Delafield, Wisconsin.
Cadet musicians attending were:
c/PVT Julian Brown, Waianae, HI
c/CPT Anthony Evans, Chicago, IL
c/2LT Paul Franks, Torrance, CA
c/PVT Hanna Lee, Carson, CA
c/SGT Michael Rodriguez,
McKinney, TX
c/PVT Neah Sauer, Fort Rucker, AL
c/PVT Mycah Smith, Hobbs, NM
c/PVT William Teasdale,
Roswell, NM
c/SSG Danielle Uson,
San Diego, CA
c/CPT Martika Velasquez,
Anaheim, CA
and
National Guard Cadets
Brandon A. Munoz
12 March 2015
While cadets live a different lifestyle
than other high school and college
students around the nation, there
are particular students here at NMMI
that responded the nation’s calling,
these students are soldiers in the
National Guard. Most soldiers who
attend NMMI are here for the Early
Commissioning Program to become
2nd Lieutenants. Doing so, they must
be enrolled in ROTC and commit two
years of their lives to training and
learning how to become the best
leaders possible. They live different
lives than the average cadet, they
physically train every day, go through
tough military science classes, and
hold themselves to a higher standard
than a cadet not in ROTC.
For Cadet Justin Shimazu, he said
that he enlisted because he wanted to
better his future and serve his country.
“It’s very challenging, and it’s expected
of us to go above and beyond the
standard because we are tomorrow’s
leaders. We also have to balance our
school work and pass all physical tests
in order to succeed in the program.”
Shimazu has contracted, which is a
step towards commissioning, he is
to commission at the end of the 2015
Spring Semester.
New Cadet Brandon Smith came
to NMMI just this semester, he came
after Basic Training and his Advanced
Individual Training. “I came to NMMI
for the Early Commissioning Program
to better my future, I enlisted to give
back to my community.” Smith should
be commissioning at the end of the
Fall Semester of 2016.
Soldiers will always hold themselves
to a higher standard, as for NMMI
cadets who serve, they are not the
exception, but rather, they set the
example of what it means to have
integrity, live with honor, and be hard
working American Soldiers.
c/PVT Matthew White,
Alamogordo, NM
These NMMI cadets joined with
over one hundred other student
instrumentalists, singers, and drum
majors for the three day clinic for
top musicians from military colleges
and schools all over the nation. The
Festival Band and Festival Choir
performed together, and separately,
in concert on the final day of the
event and a Drum Major competition
was held the evening before.
Three nationally known clinicians
directed the festival proceedings.
The Concert Band Conductor was
Sergeant First Class (USA-retired)
Jack Schulze, the former Principal
Concert Band Conductor of the
132nd Army Band in Madison,
Wisconsin. The Drum Major Clinician
was Senior Chief Musician Mike
Bayes, the Drum Major for the United
States Navy Band in Washington,
DC. And the Choir Conductor was
Sergeant First Class Steven Paul
Cramer, a longtime member of The
US Army Chorus and Broadway
performer.
Sponsors CPT Bill Lamb, NMMI
Bandmaster, and LTC Steve Thorp,
Choir Director, indicated that our
cadets represented the Institute very
well at this year’s festival, and they
look forward to participating in the
2016 event, slated to be held at the
Valley Forge Military Academy and
College in Wayne, Pennsylvania.
T H E N M M I DISPATCHES
PAGE 5
SROTC Saturday Shooting
The sun was still sleeping while
Garry Owen was preparing to take
off to the range at DOW hall. The
MSIV’s arrived at 445 in order to set
up transportation and go over the
eventful day ahead. The ADVON
took off early to stage rucks and
make the range operational, while
the eager MSIII’s formed up at 515.
They were brimming with excitement.
Before anyone departed MSIV
Tyler took charge and taught a
class on how to shoot. The different
positions, natural point of aim and
being overall comfortable with the
weapon was discussed. The MSIII’s
soaked up the wealth of knowledge
and even the cadre chimed in with
MSIV Tyler’s class.
The vehicles transported
every-one to the range and an
accountability formation was
conducted. Shortly after the
MSIII’s were lined up for a safety
brief. Safety is the biggest part of
running a range and they needed to
understand the precautions to avoid
anything dangerous happening.
Throughout the day the MSIII’s
became familiar with the M16. They
enjoyed zeroing and adjusting their
sight in order for more accurate
shots. The hours few by and so did
the bullets. MSIV’s were running
around doing their tasks so the
range could function properly.
He Who has Never Shot Before
The handling of a weapon is
second nature to most in Garry
Owen, but not for MSIII Carvalho.
He has never held, shot or been to
a range in his life. As being in this
program he was pumped about
shooting the M16.
Are you excited about shot and
since you have no prior experience
what do you think it will be like?
“Yes I’m excited. I imagine it will
be like EST, but with recoil.”
Did theV
class
o l uteach
m e you
1 ,any-thing
Issue
and what?
“It taught me fundamentals of
shooting and basic positions to
shoot, such as prone and kneeling.”
After he shot I asked him a few
more questions.
How was it?
“It was fun and easier than I
predicted.”
How many times did it take to
zero?
“Only 15 rounds with no sight
corrections.”
He now has experience behind
the weapon, we gave him that
opportunity to gain this knowledge.
The Prep/Athlete Life at NMMI
Brad Blackwell
16 March 2015
Athletics and Academy Preps
play a huge role here at New Mexico
Military Institute as well as being
an Academy Prep. Most athletes at
NMMI are on full ride scholarships.
The Preps are here to maintain a 2.2
grade point average so they can be
accepted into their desired academy.
Andrew Spinnenweber and John
Kelly are two of the many preps on
campus for the Merchant Marine
Academy. Spinnenweber is a member
of the Bronco pitching staff and has
been a huge contributor to the team’s
success this season. How is it to be
a prep/athlete here on campus and
Spinnenweber responded with, “It’s a
challenge to play both roles, because
of the tough work load as well as the
many hours spent practicing. It can be
stressful at times, but I know it will all
be worth it in the end.”
How he likes being a prep as
well as an athlete here on campus
and Kelly responded with, “It makes
me stand out, because preps and
The Journey Back
The squadron finished their
effective training around 1500. A
formation passed and everyone
1pitched in cleaning up the range.
The brass was picked up, weapons
put away and the targets torn
down. Working together made it
swiftly go by.
The ruck sacs laid in the tall
grass awaiting to be swept up
and carried. Once the range was
cleared everyone has to slap on
more sunscreen and put on some
foot powder because the long road
ahead will be a ruck march. The
rucks were tossed on their backs
and they began their grueling
travels. Although the sun beat
down on them the moral was high.
Their encouragement to each other
prevented many from falling out. The
constant reminders of being staying
hydrated saved many as they placed
one boot in front of the other.
Recovery
greeted with dirty M16’s to clean.
The scrubbing of the outsides and
insides of the weapons commenced.
The weapons were priority at the
time because they were borrowed by
the guard. SROTC was very grateful
and returned them cleaner then they
received them.
After they were up to drill sergeant
standard the weapons were driven
back to the armory. Recovery wasn’t
done yet. The troops split up and
worked on their tasks. Alpha washes
vehicles while Bravo cleans up the
inside of DOW.
Saturday passed and Sunday
emerged. Everyone gathered at
DOW hall for an after action report
in order to make the next time at
the range even more efficient. The
MSIII’s had excellent points to share
and the MSIV’s took notes. They
were detailed, so the MSIV’s next
year could under-stand specifically
the improvements that should be
made.
The day dragged on for Garry
Owen. As they set their rucks
down after the march they were
The range was a success. It was
obvious everyone was comfortable
with a weapon.
athletes take up the majority of the
college’s population.” Kelly is also a
member of the Bronco baseball team
and unfortunately endured shoulder
surgery this past fall. “It is a bummer
that I can’t be on the field with the
guys, but I hope my recovery is fast
process.” Most kids growing up dream
of being a professional athlete. Some
chose the Military route instead. Then
some chose the Prep/Athlete life and
that is what makes the students here
at NMMI who have chosen this route
unique. Athletes and Preps are highly
respected here at NMMI because of
their achievements and duties they do
on and off the field. It is tough being a
student athlete, but it is just something
they enjoy doing and they do it well.
Google images, USMMA
T H E N M M I DISPATCHES
PAGE 6
Cadets Attended Air Force Academy’s
22nd Annual Character Leadership Symposium
Cadets John Faumuina, Carolyn
Nguyen, Teuaililo Petelo, and Xavier
Raney attended the Air Force
Academy’s Character Leadership
Symposium 26-27 February 2015
in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
This is location for one of the most
premier national symposiums
in the field of character and
leadership development. This twoday conference brings together
distinguished scholars, military
leaders, corporate presidents,
world-class athletes, and others
to take part in group discussions
and speak about challenges and
understandings of the importance
of sound moral character and
leadership principles.
The theme for the conference was
“Serving Our Nation: Our Calling,
Core Values, and Commitment.”
Cadet Teuaililo Petelo said she
felt the conference “opened her
eyes and inspired her to become
(l. to r.) Cadet John Faumuina, Cadet Carolyn Nguyen, Cadet Teuaililo Petelo, and
Cadet Xavier Raney Overlooking the north end of the Air Force Academy, Colorado
Springs, Colorado
a better person as a leader and as
an individual.” Cadet Petelo was
inspired by Tanya Blank, author of
the book “Daunted” and producer
of the TV series “The Army Wives.”
Mrs. Blank told the audience that
“people mean more than bios or the
ranks on their shoulders and the pins
on their clothes. Life is about taking
chances, starting from the bottom
and working your way to the top to
make your own opportunity.” Cadet
Petelo said this struck a chord in her,
“If you want something in life you
can’t give up. You must confront your
fears and keep working towards your
goals.”
Cadet John Faumuina expressed
the greatest take away for him
from the Conference was the
meaning of the word commitment.
“For the longest time, commitment
to me was an overused word to
describe a goal that someone
wanted to achieve, but through this
Conference it gave me a deeper
understanding of what commitment
really means. Commitment has a
more complex meaning. It means
purpose in life, prospering in spite
of disappointments and upholding
my integrity in doing the right
things- always.” Cadet Faumuina
was inspired by Chad Hennings. He
was a 1988 USAFA graduate and
two-time Academic All America and
Unanimous All America his senior
year when he won the Outland
Trophy. He flew the A-10 Thunderbolt
II in Europe. After his military
commitment he played nine seasons
for the Dallas Cowboys, winning
three Super Bowl Championships.
Cadet Faumuina said one would
think with all this talent you could
have a great life, but Mr. Hennings
said there were constant temptations
to compromise his integrity and
character. “But he never once made
the mistake of caving in. He serves
as an inspiration to me to become a
leader with integrity and surpass my
comfort zone by achieving more than
what I have set out to do.”
Cadet Nguyen and Cadet Raney
both expressed how inspiring the
Conference was for them. Both said
they are more committed to being a
better cadet at the Institute. Cadet
Nguyen said one of the speakers
summed it all up for her,” We need
to remember that we chose to be
leaders, but we stay leaders because
we are actually doing it.” (Fire Chief
Matt Love).
Flight Club
Amelia Earhart Award Day
5 April 2015
TO: MG Grizzle, BG Murray, BG
Geraci, COL West, LTC Lowe, Mr.
Bill Cutter, & Mr. Dan Musgrave,
Dear Sirs,
Thank you all so very much for
coming the 10th of March to support
our cadets at the Flight Club Amelia
Earhart Award Day. It means so
much to our cadets that they were
able to receive their recognitions
from each of you. Our flight program
would not be able to grow without
your interest and your kind support!
Please enjoy seeing the photos
from this special day. We look
forward to our continued growth in
our many activities with the flight
program here at the New Mexico
Military Institute.
A few cadets with Certified Flight Instructor Courntey Bamford from their Cessna flight
Sincerely,
Lee Ann Wade, Major, NMMI
Flight Club Sponsor
Character and Leadership
Development Educator/Advisor
Cadet receives Flight Scholarship from Experimental Aircraft Association from LTC Lowe
Cadet Robert Black receives solo wings from MG Grizzle, Bill Cutter, NMMI 1952 JC
and LTC James Lowe, NMMI 1967 JC with his CFI.
Cadet receives the Amelia Earhart Award from the Generals and Mr. Bill Cutter,
COL West looking on.
T H E N M M I DISPATCHES
Broncos
Bronco Baseball Information thru
first 46 of 56 games:
Current Stats that are in the Top
10 All-Time at NMMI:
NMMI Records Broken:
Team Overall Wins (20) (2006 team
had 23 overall wins, only 6 were
against Junior College teams) (10
games remaining)
Wins vs. NJCAA Division I Junior
Colleges (20) (we have 8 DI junior
college games remaining)
Wins vs. WJCAC (Conference)
Teams (13) (We have 8 Conference
games remaining)
Team Doubles Hit (90)
Team Saves (11)
Individual Doubles- Winston Welch
(FR) 18
Individual Saves- Ruger Rodriguez
(SO) 9
By: Cadet Ian Fraim
With 10 games remaining, 2015
team is already in top 10 all time
in the following stats:
OFFENSE
Runs (269) record is 372
Hits (441) record is 528
Home Runs (16) record is 31
RBI (239) record is 326
Batting Average (.309) record is
.331
PITCHING
Strikeouts (309) record is 320
Earned Run Average (7.12) record
is 4.67
Walk to Strikeout Ratio (.54) would
be school record if season ended
today.
Strikeouts per inning (.89) would
be a school record if season ended
today.
With 10 games remaining, these
individual players have already
put themselves in the top 10 in
the following categories:
Most Improved- Ruger Rodriguez
(Career and Single Season Saves
Leader at NMMI)
Most Valuable Pitcher- Kevin
Piersol (5 Wins puts him in the top
10 all time for a season)
Brad Blackwell- 14 Stolen Bases
Jose Galindo- 13 Hit By Pitch
Marion McLean- 5 Triples
Kevin Piersol- 5 Wins
For the 2015 Awards Banquet,
the following players will receive
the Bronco Baseball Awards next
week at the annual athletic awards
banquet:
Most Valuable Hitter- Marion
McLean (currently batting .409 with
56 hits, 5 triples, 2 home runs, 24
RBI, and 7 stolen bases.
Ski Club
The NMMI ski club had one
of the best snow days in the last
four years, thanks to a wonderful
snowstorm that piled almost three
feet of snow on the Sacramento
Mountains. We took two trips to
the ski resort in Ruidoso, NM, and
had a total of almost one hundred
extremely excited cadets hit the
slopes on those two trips. The snow
was so thick that a six-foot person
could stand up and the snow would
come up to their waist. The weather
was great with clear blue skies,
which gave an amazing view of the
Brandon A. Munoz
February 22, 2015
Wins vs. Junior Colleges (20)- #2
all time (2014 record of 21 is #1
All Time) (8 Junior college games
remaining)
PAGE 7
surrounding mountain chain and the
valley below. Falling in the snow
was like collapsing onto a cloud of
cold cotton candy. By the end of the
day, the cadets were ready to eat.
The ski club chose to eat supper at
Circle J’s, a fantastic locally owned
BBQ restaurant in Ruidoso. It was a
tasty meal consisting of ribs, brisket,
baked beans, coleslaw and meltin-your-mouth dinner rolls. After
supper most cadets fell asleep on
the bus ride back to campus – all in
all it was a wonderfully successful
ski trip.
NMMI Ropes Course: Facilitators
Something that separates the New
Mexico Military Institute from other
schools is that it offers the Yates
Leadership Challenge Complex.
This consists of high and low ropes
climbing, a military based leadership
reaction course (LRC), and a repel
tower. With much to over watch, Major
Eric Evertson trains and hires trusted
cadets as facilitators that help with
maintenance of all three components
of the Yates Leadership Challenge
Complex as well as lead the groups
that come out to the YLCC to build
confidence, trust, and growth as a
whole. Among the ranks of facilitators,
Brandon Lee Sharpe and Justice
Lanphear are have been working as a
facilitator for over a years now.
Sharpe, a college sophomore, first
applied for a facilitator job thinking
it was only going to be a good time
while getting paid. As time went on,
he developed a certain respect for
holding the title of a Yates Leadership
Challenge Complex facilitator. Sharpe
said that working as a facilitator
“changed the ways I looked at things.”
Sharpe expressed how over time,
he matured much more by working
at the Yates Leadership Challenge
Complex and saw that the actions he
was taking were better choices made
and mature due to working at the
Yates Leadership Challenge Complex.
When asked what he likes most about
working at the Yates Leadership
Challenge Complex he replied with,
“The fact that when people come out
to the ropes course, they think it’s
all fun and games, but as facilitators
we actually test them on their fears,
character, and expectations. Then we
help them grow as people and as a
group.”
Justice Lanphear, high school
sophomore, took on over forty
intense hours of training to become
a facilitator. When he was granted
the title of facilitator, his training did
not stop there. When a facilitator is
not working with a group, he or she
is polishing their skills in all different
manners. Lanphear said what the
YLCC has done best for him is
make him a better leader, “It (Yates
Leadership Challenge Complex)
enhances skills in leadership and
other worthwhile traits.”
The Yates Leadership Challenge
Complex serves the Corps of Cadets
a great purpose as a sanctuary from
the stressful lifestyle the Institute
holds. While being out with the
facilitators and Major Evertson, a
cadet displays great leadership and
team skills that in all reality should
transfer out in the Corps of Cadets.
Facilitators try to live out in the Corps
the same way they live when out on
the course, nothing but good is to be
gained by facilitating and visiting the
Yates Leadership Challenge Complex.
T H E N M M I DISPATCHES
PAGE 8
Get Ready to Blast Off
this Summer!
form. Camps are only $750.00!
(Check that out against the high fees
of other camps). You get full access
to NMMI’s outdoor adventure ropes
course, swimming pool, bowling and
game room- to mention a few perks.
Parents really care that camps
provide youth with amazing
opportunities to learn about
survival skills in the real world and
C
we provide such opportunities at
the New Mexico Military Institute.
Campers do more than visit the
FEE IS $
NMMI campus but become engaged
If you
junior high school
girl
PERare
PARTICIPANT
PER CAMP
with NMMI staff and faculty during
ROOM & 5th
BOARD
or boy, COVERS
having completed
grade
T-SHIRTS,
FEES
FOR and
FIELD
TRIPS every activity! To get an idea of what
and
not yet AND
in high
school,
love
each camp is comprised of, click
to have fun consider blasting off this
on the week’s schedule link to see
summer with the Junior Leadership
what is going on during any given
Camp at the New Mexico Military
camp day and block of time. Once
Institute! If flying through the air
the camp starts, a photographer will
on a zip line, launching rockets and
take pictures of every aspect of the
traveling to some really cool places
camp from morning to night. Those
in New Mexico sounds like a neat
pictures will be uploaded to a link
way to spend a week- we have just
on the same summer webpage for
the place for you!
parental viewing. If you have ever
The Junior
Leadership
Camp
Summer
is drawing
near
and (JLC)
considered doing something totally
is intended
to of
reach
out
there program
are a limited
amount
slots
awesome now’s your chance. This is
to youth
who
have completed
the
available
at the
Junior
Leadership
your chance to become a rock star!
h through
8thfast!
grades.
Camp, so 5t
you
gotta act
The
Apologies: in a previous issue,
first camp is the 7th of June through
the
Junior Leadership Camp article
theThis
13th.
The
second
camp
is
camp is not for high school grades
incorrectly
stated that the cost per
June 14th through
the20th.
9th through
12th.Look
individual per camp was $700.00 but
us up at https://www.nmmi.edu/
summer/jlc/index.htm
to obtain the
Visit
to in fact is it $750.00.
applications,
and health
consent
watch testimonials
and
powerpoint
presentations by
former participants.
Fox and the Hound
Cadets in High School Geometry
used triangulation and radio
signals to calculate the location
of a transmitter that was hidden
in Bronco Plaza. Retired Chaplain
Daniel Musgrave has prepared this
activity for our geometry classes for
several years (he is a licensed ham
radio operator and was the sponsor
of the ham radio club during his
tenure here at NMMI). We were able
to convince him to come back for a
day to teach the cadets about how
to use math and radio frequencies to
locate hidden devices.
Happy Trails to You!
The end of the 2015 NMMI Trail
Ride will also mark the end of my
time with the Alumni Relations office.
The almost three year experience
has had a few bumps along the way
but the opportunity to meet NMMI
Alumni across America and Mexico
has been a road few get to walk.
At times we (alumni) forget we are
part of a 124 year Legacy going back
to 1891. We may or may not attribute
who we are today based on the
foundation established at NMMI but
for me there is no doubt. To make
the Legacy available to future cadets
it should be our responsibility to
support NMMI, the Corps of Cadets
and become involved with alumni in
our home town.
Joy and I returned to the “Old
Post” in hopes of giving back but
what we received far exceeded
anything we could give. Without
a doubt the mission and vision of
“educating cadets capable of critical
thinking, developing character,
responsibility and integrity” still
flourishes at NMMI.
As we return to Florida, Joy and
I want to thank each of you for
welcoming us as a part of the New
Mexico Military Institute “family”. To
the Alumni Relations staff thank you
for your support and professional
attitude.
Our best wishes “For Blue Skies
and a Tailwind”; should you be in our
neighborhood stop by!
Jim and Joy
LTC James D. Lowe, NMMI 1967 JC
T H E N M M I DISPATCHES
PAGE 9
Who is Sodexo?
Sodexo is the global leader in
services that improve Quality of
Life, an essential factor in individual
and organizational performance.
Operating in 80 countries, Sodexo
serves 75 million consumers each
day through its unique combination
of On-site Services, Benefits and
Rewards Services and Personal and
Home Services.
Through its more than 100
services, Sodexo provides clients an
integrated offering developed over
more than 45 years of experience:
from reception, safety, maintenance
and cleaning, to foodservices
and facilities and equipment
management; from Meal Pass, Gift
Pass and Mobility Pass benefits for
employees to in-home assistance
and concierge services. Sodexo’s
success and performance are
founded on its independence, its
sustainable business model and
its ability to continuously develop
and engage its 420,000 employees
throughout the world.
Sodexo in North America
Sodexo, Inc. (www.sodexoUSA.
com), leading Quality of Life services
company in the U.S., Canada, and
Mexico, delivers On-site Services
in Corporate, Education, Health
Care, Government, and Remote Site
segments, as well as Benefits and
Rewards Services and Personal
and Home Services. Sodexo, Inc.,
headquartered in Gaithersburg,
Md., funds all administrative
costs for the Sodexo Foundation
(www.SodexoFoundation.org), An
independent charitable organization
that, since its founding in 1999, has
made more than $17 million in grants
to end childhood hunger in America.
Visit the corporate blog at
www.sodexoUSA.com/blog.
Company Mission
Improve the Quality of Life of all
those we serve and contribute to the
economic, social and environmental
development of the cities, regions
and countries where we operate.
Economic Impact
Sodexo in the World
18.2 billion euro consolidated
revenue
420,000 employees
Sodexo Group
20th largest employer worldwide
80 countries
34,300 sites
75 million consumers served daily
Sodexo in North America
8.8 billion dollars revenue
125,000 employees
9,000 sites
700 facilities management sites
Over 15 million consumers served
daily
Leadership among Global
Companies
• A Worldwide Supersector Leader
for our commitment to sustainable
development in the Sustainable
Asset Management’s (SAM)
“Sustainability Yearbook”
• Third among the world’s leading
outsourcing companies on the
Global Outsourcing 100 by
the International Association
of Outsourcing Professionals,
published by Fortune magazine
• Named One of the World’s Most
Admired Companies by FORTUNE
Magazine
• Named One of the World’s
Most Ethical Companies by the
Ethisphere Institute
• First in our industry to be a
signatory of the U.N. Global
Compact
• First in our industry to be a
signatory of the Global Sullivan
Principles of Social Responsibility
Leadership in Corporate
Citizenship and Fighting Hunger
• The Sodexo Foundation has made
more than $17 million in grants to
fight hunger in America
• Launched The Better Tomorrow
Plan for Sustainability and
Corporate Social Responsibility
• Pledged commitment to 100%
certified sustainable seafood by
2015
• Received the first annual
President’s Award from Bread
for the World and Alliance to End
Hunger
• Maryland Governor Martin
O’Malley issued a proclamation
recognizing Sodexo’s commitment
to corporate social responsibility
- most notably for its efforts to
fight hunger through the Sodexo
Foundation.
• Awarded the McCormick
Cornerstone for creating jobs,
purchasing local goods and its
overall support for the state of
Maryland
• Named the first corporate Hunger
Hero by Manna Food Center
(Maryland) during the charity’s
Silver Anniversary celebration
• Corporate Social Responsibility
Award from the Montgomery
County Chamber of Commerce
(Maryland)
Leadership in Diversity and
Inclusion
• 2012 Catalyst Award for Advancing
Women in the Workplace
• #2 of 2012 Top 50 Companies for
Diversity from DiversityInc
• 2012 Best Company in Promoting
Asian Pacific Americans into
Senior Leadership from Asia
Society
• 2012 Best Company for Hourly
Workers from Working Mother
Media
• 2012 Top 40 Company for Diversity
by Black Enterprise
• Corporation of the Year from the
Hispanic College Fund
• 100% on the HRC Corporate
Equality Index - Best Place to Work
for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and
Transgender Equality
Leadership in Health and Wellness
• An industry partner in First Lady
Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move”
campaign to eliminate childhood
obesity
• Launched Meatless Monday
initiative at accounts nationwide
to promote wellness and
sustainability
• First in industry to convert to zero
trans fat oils
• Largest corporate employer of
registered dietitians
• Trademarked wellness programs
add value to customers of all ages
with lifestyle solutions available
via technologically innovative
programs
Leadership in Innovation
• Innovator of the Year Award in the
Menu Development category in the
National Restaurant Association’s
inaugural Operator Innovations
Awards
• Best Management Company
Concept, Corporate Concept
and Best Renovation in the Food
Management
Magazine Best Concept Awards
• Virtual Event Excellence Award
from ON24, Inc. for Sodexo
Education’s virtual summer training
• Excellence in New
Communications Award from the
Society for New Communications
Research for innovative use of
social media
• Esteem Pass prepaid gift card
program a winner in the Paybefore
Awards in the Best Business/
Corporate-Funded Prepaid Card
B2B category
Leadership in Management
• Best Companies for Hourly
Workers by Working Mother
• Top 100 Military Friendly Employer
by GI Jobs
• Recruiting Department of the Year
by ERE, the online professional
network exclusively for recruiters
and HR professionals
• Top 100 Intern Employer by
CollegeGrad.com
• Top 50 Entry Level Employers by
CollegeGrad.com
• U.S. Secretary of Defense
Employer Support Freedom Award
– the highest honor bestowed upon
America’s employers who provide
support to their employees serving
in the National Guard and Reserve
• “Five-Star Employer” honors from
U.S. Department of Defense
T H E N M M I DISPATCHES
PAGE 10
Did you know?
1. NMMI hosts the largest college
fair in Southeast New Mexico
bringing 40-50 colleges from
across the country to NMMI each
fall. This fair is held in conjunction
with the Rocky Mountain
Association of College Admission
Counselors. This is just one
way we help your student find a
great four year school that fits
their needs. With the outstanding
support of the Commandant and
Athletics every cadet has the
opportunity to visit the college
fair!
a. For more information on these
or other college and career
related services, contact MAJ
Sue Moore ([email protected])
or MAJ Kalith Smith,
([email protected]).
2.NMMI hosts various college visits
each year. Several colleges
from across the country come
for individual visits to NMMI. We
also offer the NMMI University
Skype™ visit program. If your
cadet has an interest in a four
year college that doesn’t visit
NMMI, we will help them set up an
interview over live video!
a. For more information on these
or other college and career
related services, contact MAJ
Sue Moore ([email protected])
or MAJ Kalith Smith,
([email protected]).
3.In the NMMI College & Career
Center, students can stop by to
learn about current university
options and take career
assessments. Cadets who do not
know where or what they plan to
study next, find extra direction
and resources which can help
them make daunting decisions
about their futures seem easier.
a. For more information on these
or other college and career
services, contact MAJ Sue
Moore ([email protected]) or
MAJ Kalith Smith,
([email protected]).
4.NMMI is a National ACT and SAT
testing center and host exams on
post six and seven times a year,
respectively. Roughly one month
before the test, cadets simply
register online. On test day, they
are excused from the normal
Saturday morning activities in
order to focus on college entrance
requirements. High School Cadets
are encouraged to start taking
these important exams early
in their high school career and
concentrate on maximizing their
scores during their Junior and
Senior years.
a. Online registration can be
found at http://www.actstudent.
org and www.collegeboard.
org . For more information,
contact CPT Christina Parsley
([email protected]) or your
academic advisor.
5.We make every effort to
prepare our graduates for the
next educational level. Some
universities require additional
placement test, and NMMI
proctors many of these tests free
of charge.
a. Contact MAJ Kalith Smith
([email protected])
6.NMMI offers a valuable
resource called College First
Year Experience (CFYE).
Firsttime college cadets can are
encouraged to take this course
which is designed to not only help
them successfully acclimate to
the college environment, but also
teach them the rich history of New
Mexico Military Institute.
a. Contact Dr. Chris Tebo
([email protected])
7. Another opportunity NMMI
offers is a College and Career
Exploration course. This one-hour
college course is designed to help
students develop eye-catching
resumes, determine good career
matches, hone their interview
skills, and find advantageous
internships.
a. Contact MAJ Susan Moore
([email protected])
8.Did you know ACT and SAT
scores are used for more than
just university admissions? Each
university establishes score
requirements to enter freshmanlevel courses; those who fall
below may spend a semester or
more in remedial classes. High
scores are excellent opportunities
to compete for scholarships,
and be eligible for programs
like Honors Colleges within
your future college or university.
NMMI offers a free ACT/SAT
preparation course – during the
regular school day – available
to both high school Juniors and
college students. This class
not only combines insightful
test-preparation techniques
and subject-matter practice, it
introduces speed reading, which
students hail as the secret to
higher test scores and academic
success.
a. Contact CPT Christina Parsley
([email protected])
9.NMMI offers supplementary
reading courses for our
international high school cadets.
This course is designed for
non-native speakers, but may
also help those native students
who come from a dual-language
background or cadets who are
weak in their English abilities.
a. Contact MAJ Elaine EspinosaSims ([email protected])
10. Every NMMI cadet has access
to college and career research
tools through the Career
Information System – http://
www.cis.intocareers.org and
can also be accessed from their
My NMMI page. Cadets can
research colleges & careers,
complete career assessments
and scholarship searches, use
the Résumé Creator to craft a
professional resume, and utilize
other tools to create their college
and career plans.
a. Contact MAJ Sue Moore
([email protected]) for more
information and for cadet log-in
information.
T H E N M M I DISPATCHES
PAGE 11
Skywarn Certification Class
11 March 2015,
Daniels Leadership Center, NMMI
Cadet Brandon Sharpe, Flight Club
Senior Flight Officer
The New Mexico Military
Institute’s Flight Club and Roswell
Amateur Ham Radio sponsored the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration to conduct 2 classes
on the 11th of March to train
interested volunteers on campus
and in the community to become
‘weather spotters.’ Over 70 people
attended. I attended the evening
class and it was very interesting for
me. I learned there is a great deal
more to weather than I suspected.
First, I learned that while we may
have very sophisticated machines
that can watch weather patterns
the radar cannot pick up important
details. New Mexico has only
three weather radar’s for such a
large area. Depending where they
are located the signals often go
over the tops of weather systems
and cannot create an accurate
picture of what is going on closer
to the ground. Weather spotters
are essential to call the National
Weather Service to report these
conditions.
In our 3 hour class we learned
how to identify many different
weather systems so we can tell
the more serious ones to report.
I learned that too many people
driving in hail storms crowd under
overhead passages creating
not only traffic hazards, but not
allowing emergency vehicles to
get to injured people. A tornado
is not going to stop at such
overhangs and in fact winds can
go through these areas faster. The
second thing I learned is to take
flood watches very seriously. The
weather can be very nice where
you are, but within a few hours
flood waters can come rushing
downstream destroying everything
in its path.
Jennifer Palucki and Todd
Shoemake were the instructors
and came from Albuquerque. They
were equipped with many videos of
Flame Guard
The NMMI Flame Guard
tradition began with the Centennial
Regimental Commander, Andras M.
Marton (1989 HS, 1991 JC) marching
the first tour at the Centennial Flame
in Bronco Plaza. The United States
Army Old Guard (3rd US Infantry
Regiment) soldiers arrived from
Arlington National Cemetery to
train the first Flame Guards in 1991,
training both those that marched
and those who conducted the preand post-march inspections. Right
after the flame was first lit, the Old
Guard Soldiers took the mat first,
and Cadet Colonel Marton was
honored to be the first Cadet to
march the first hour. Since 1991,
Flame Guard Cadets have dutifully
marched on the Flame Guard detail
at all major on Post events including
Homecoming, Family Weekends,
Special Ceremonies, and Silver
Taps. The Flame Guard wears a
distinctive uniform that represents
a combination of the US Army
Old Guard and NMMI uniform.
Lieutenant Colonel Marton currently
continues to serve our country as
the Staff Judge Advocate, US Army
Aviation Center of Excellence, Fort
Rucker, Alabama.
people in severe weather conditions
not taking necessary precautions
for safety, nor where there any
sign of weather knowledge from
the people making the videos.
This training made me realize that
I need to be more aware of my
surroundings and truly respect the
power of ‘mother nature.’
I am very proud to earn my
certificate as a weather spotter for
the Institute and part of the greater
Roswell community. We need
weather spotters for the Institute
because we could have several
hundred cadets out in the open.
This training will help me as I move
to new locations and continue my
education, and allow me to prepare
for severe weather in the future.
Understanding weather systems will
greatly help me in my Flight Club
training as a member of a flight
crew as well. Being more aware of
our surroundings can help us create
a safer environment as we work
outside, or inside.
T H E N M M I DISPATCHES
PAGE 12
2015 “National Security” Spring Forum
Cadet (1SGT) Eric Fouratt
In April, cadets Marcus Lovato,
Eric Fouratt, and Ryan Hargo-Scott
were selected to attend the 2015
“National Security” Spring Forum,
hosted by the College of the
Ozarks in Branson, Missouri. The
theme of this forum was National
Security, with emphasis placed upon
leadership and character. Many
colleges from throughout the United
States represented, as well as our
nations service academies. The
main speaker for the event was Ms.
K.T. McFarland, a current national
security analyst, anchor of DEFCON
3 (Fox News) and columnist for
FOXnews.com. Other speakers
include: COL. James Wilhite,
USAR (ret), author, and founder
of the National Military Academy
of Afghanistan; Mr. Jeems Akers,
former CIA Agent; and Brigadier
General Richard Geraci, United
States Army (Ret.). After each
Scholarships
The Financial Aid Office has
been busy awarding scholarships
for the upcoming school year.
The Scholarship Committee
met in February for a 3-day long
marathon session with two follow-up
sessions in March. These meetings
resulted in awarding over 90% of
the $1,050,000 available NMMI
scholarship funds for the next school
year. This initiative was intended to
provide incentive to current cadets
and applicants to enroll for the next
school year. We continue to review
all applicants upon acceptance to
NMMI and will revisit scholarship
availability in June.
For the first time ever the Richard
T. Knowles Legislative Scholarship
Program has reached 100%
awarding of all 112 scholarship.
We hope to continue this streak in
the future. At this point we have
processed over 60 applications
resulting in over 35 awards for
presentation from the speakers,
students and guests alike would
engage in a break out discussion;
speaking in small groups regarding
the topic, as well as how they would
be able to translate the lessons
taught into their lives. While being
the only high school students to
attend the conference, the New
Mexico Military Institute cadets were
able to shine amongst their peers by
asking questions, leading discussion,
as well as showing drive and intrigue
on the topics discussed. The event
was a great experience, and will
enhance the New Mexico Military
Institutes mission: “To educate, train,
and prepare young men and women
to be leaders capable of critical
thinking and sound analysis, leaders
who possess uncompromising
character, and leaders able to meet
challenging physical demands.”
next year working toward this goal.
We continue to reach out to all
New Mexico resident applicants
to encourage their participation
in this program. The Knowles
Legislative Scholarship offers 112
award winners almost $6,000 in
scholarship assistance each year
for 4 years as long as eligibility
is maintained. Qualifications to
apply for the scholarship include:
NM residency; application or
current enrollment to NMMI; 2.25
GPA for high school applicants;
2.0 GPA for college applicants
and acceptable test scores; three
letters of recommendation; and an
autobiographical essay. To retain
the award a cadet must maintain a
2.0 cumulative GPA and at least a
“C” in deportment at the end of each
school year.
The Financial Aid Office not
only handles NMMI and Legislative
Scholarships but Federal Financial
Aid. Federal financial aid is funding
provided by the federal government
for college students. Some aid is
based on need, but also offers loans
for non-need based college students.
To apply for federal aid the process
begins at
www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Bataan 2015
THE NMMI
DISPATCHES
The NMMI Dispatches is a publication of the New Mexico Military
Institute. Please forward comments to NMMI, [email protected]. If
you know of anyone not receiving The NMMI Dispatches, please tell
those person to provide contact information to the above email address.
EDITOR
NMMI Marketing
Communications Department
LTC Colleen Cole-Velasquez
De Janee Mitchell-Kletke
Layout, Design and Printing by
Alpha-Omega Printing, Inc.
Bataan 2015
NEW MEXICO
MILITARY INSTITUTE
101 W COLLEGE BLVD.
ROSWELL. NM 88201-5173
800-421-5376
NMMI is our nation’s only Land Grant educational institution
operating as a military college preparatory high school and junior
college. The 2014-2015 900-member co-ed Corps of Cadets
consists of scholars from 38 states, the District of Columbia, 4 U.
S. territories, and 18 foreign nations; including 52 Federal Service
Academy Preps, 55 Army Early Commissioning Cadets, 208
Legislative Scholars, and 153 Scholarship Athletes.