New Mexico Military Institute (
'NMMI) is a
state-supported educational institutionIn most of the world, excluding England and Wales and some Commonwealth countries, a public school is an educational institution that is funded with tax revenue and most commonly administered by a local government or government agency...
located in
RoswellRoswell is a city in and the county seat of Chaves County in the southeastern quarter of the state of New Mexico, United States. The population was 45,293 at the 2000 census. It is a center for irrigation farming, dairying, ranching, manufacturing, distribution, and petroleum production. It is...
,
New MexicoNew Mexico is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. Inhabited by Native American populations for many centuries, it has also been part of the Imperial Spanish viceroyalty of New Spain, part of Mexico, and a U.S. territory. Among U.S...
, United States. NMMI includes a four year
high schoolHigh school is the name used in some parts of the world, particularly in Scotland, Northern America and Oceania, to describe an institution that provides all or part of secondary education...
and a two year
junior collegeThe term junior college refers to different educational institutions in different countries.-India:In India, most states provide schooling through grade 12. Maharashtra, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka however, have a system of junior colleges where, after taking the 10th grade board exams ,...
. Founded in 1891 by Joseph C. Lea who selected former
ConfederateThe Confederate States of America was a separatist political entity existing between 1861 to 1865, established by eleven southern slave states of the United States of America, each of which had previously declared their secession from the United States...
Col. Robert S. Goss as the Superintendent for the Goss Military Institute, and inspired by
Virginia Military InstituteThe Virginia Military Institute , located in Lexington, Virginia, is the oldest state-supported military college and one of six senior military colleges in the United States. Unlike any other state military college in the United States, all VMI students are military cadets. VMI offers cadets a...
, it is now one of five
Military Junior CollegeIn the United States, a Military Junior College is a military-style junior college that allows cadets to become commissioned officers in the U.S. Army reserve in two years, instead of the usual four, through the Early Commissioning Program. The students must still to go on to complete a bachelor's...
s in the
United StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
NMMI first admitted women as cadets in 1977, although some women did attend as day students in the early years of the school.
New Mexico Military Institute (
'NMMI) is a
state-supported educational institutionIn most of the world, excluding England and Wales and some Commonwealth countries, a public school is an educational institution that is funded with tax revenue and most commonly administered by a local government or government agency...
located in
RoswellRoswell is a city in and the county seat of Chaves County in the southeastern quarter of the state of New Mexico, United States. The population was 45,293 at the 2000 census. It is a center for irrigation farming, dairying, ranching, manufacturing, distribution, and petroleum production. It is...
,
New MexicoNew Mexico is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. Inhabited by Native American populations for many centuries, it has also been part of the Imperial Spanish viceroyalty of New Spain, part of Mexico, and a U.S. territory. Among U.S...
, United States. NMMI includes a four year
high schoolHigh school is the name used in some parts of the world, particularly in Scotland, Northern America and Oceania, to describe an institution that provides all or part of secondary education...
and a two year
junior collegeThe term junior college refers to different educational institutions in different countries.-India:In India, most states provide schooling through grade 12. Maharashtra, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka however, have a system of junior colleges where, after taking the 10th grade board exams ,...
. Founded in 1891 by Joseph C. Lea who selected former
ConfederateThe Confederate States of America was a separatist political entity existing between 1861 to 1865, established by eleven southern slave states of the United States of America, each of which had previously declared their secession from the United States...
Col. Robert S. Goss as the Superintendent for the Goss Military Institute, and inspired by
Virginia Military InstituteThe Virginia Military Institute , located in Lexington, Virginia, is the oldest state-supported military college and one of six senior military colleges in the United States. Unlike any other state military college in the United States, all VMI students are military cadets. VMI offers cadets a...
, it is now one of five
Military Junior CollegeIn the United States, a Military Junior College is a military-style junior college that allows cadets to become commissioned officers in the U.S. Army reserve in two years, instead of the usual four, through the Early Commissioning Program. The students must still to go on to complete a bachelor's...
s in the
United StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
NMMI first admitted women as cadets in 1977, although some women did attend as day students in the early years of the school. It is the only state-supported co-educational college preparatory military boarding high school (grades 9-12)and junior college in the United States.
It typically has about 980 cadets, 95 percent of whom go on to four-year schools; about 100 cadets each year go to one of the five major United States Service academies.
The school's motto is
"Duty, Honor, and Achievement" The school's teams are the Broncos (Jr. College) and the Colts (High School). The school's colors are red and black. One of NMMI's nicknames is "The West Point of the West."
NMMI Today
New Mexico Military Institute provides a unique "Leadership Laboratory", where 6th Class (9th Grade High School Equivalent) through 1st Class (College Sophomore) Cadets all interact as members of the Corps. The military school structure is even more unique in the modern era, in that all cadets live in the Troop Barracks, with all classes, meals, and physical training occurring "On Post" in a controlled and safe environment. New Cadets are first taught how to follow by their Old Cadet Cadre, and are mentored in the "servant leadership" style of responsible and honorable actions. Instead of "power and privilege" being the goal of cadet leaders, the overall status of the Corps is paramount.
The NMMI Leadership Model is built around a balance of Academics, Leadership, and Physical Development in relation to every cadet enrolled. With the passing of years the Institute has seen many changes, but the maxim "Duty, Honor and Achievement" still holds true. School publications proclaim that NMMI is "preparing tomorrow's leaders today" and the fact that the school continues to produce leaders fit for military command as well as future captains of industry is testament to the school's success. Drug abuse and alcohol consumption is a problem at the institute, and many cadets have been disenrolled because of such behavior.
Notable alumni are listed in the section below, and many less well-known alumni continue to "give back" to the Institute in the form of active involvement with the Staff and Corps of Cadets. Each October sees the return of "Homecoming" where alumni from each decade of the corresponding year make the pilgrimage to Roswell, New Mexico and take part in traditions as old as the school itself. Annual Trail Rides and Alumni Musters have also become part of the alumni experience, and NMMI Alumni Association Chapters help to foster life-long friendships through meetings in various locations. Sometimes alumni chapters will sponsor a "Tattoo" or a "Stand To" - both based on nostalgic military functions designed to increase awareness of alumni initiatives.
The school's Honor Code is "A Cadet Will Not Lie, Cheat, or Steal, Nor Tolerate Those Who Do."
Athletics
The first football training camp of the newly organized Dallas Texans (which would become the
Kansas City ChiefsThe Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
) was held at the school in 1960. They moved to
Southern Methodist UniversitySouthern Methodist University is a private, coeducational university in University Park, Texas . Founded in 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, SMU currently operates campuses in University Park, Plano, and Taos, New Mexico...
in 1961.
The football team competes in the
Western States Football LeagueThe Western States Football League is a U.S. junior college football league for schools in the states of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. The league is part of the National Junior College Athletic Association.-History:...
. Its other sports compete in the
Western Junior College Athletic ConferenceAlso known as '. Hosted by the National Junior College Athletic Association, also known as Region IV is a junior college conference for many Tech and Community Colleges...
.
Administration
The current Superintendent is Major General Grizzle USA (Ret).
The current Commandant of Cadets is Brigadier General Richard B. Geraci USA (Ret).
The current Regimental Commander is c/LTC Luis Martinez.
The current Regimental Executive Officer is c/MAJ Anton Bruelhart.
Notable alumni
- Norman Brinker, founder of Brinker International
Brinker International, Inc. is the parent company of Chili's, On the Border Mexican Grill and Cantina, Maggiano's Little Italy, and Romano's Macaroni Grill...
- William John Cox
William John Cox is an American public interest lawyer, retired prosecutor, author and political activist.- Background :...
(Billy Jack Cox), public interest attorney, author and political activist.
- Charles A. Coulombe
Charles A. Coulombe is a historic and religious author and also a researcher into the supernatural.Born in New York City, Coulombe moved with his parents to Hollywood, California at age 6...
- Bill Daniels
Robert W. "Bill" Daniels was a pioneer in the cable television industry, commonly known as the "Father of Cable Television". He was an owner of the Los Angeles Lakers and a founder of the USFL.-Early life:...
, cable televisionCable television is a system of providing television to consumers via radio frequency signals transmitted to televisions through fixed optical fibers or coaxial cables as opposed to the over-the-air method used in traditional television broadcasting in which a television antenna is required...
pioneer.
- Sam Donaldson
Samuel Andrew "Sam" Donaldson, Jr. is a reporter and news anchor for ABC News, substitute anchoring the Sunday edition of World News Tonight for regular host Barry Serafin and later Carol Simpson, from dates in 1979 through the 1990s....
of ABC NewsABC News is a division of American television network ABC, owned by The Walt Disney Company. Its current president is David Westin.-Current programs:* America This Morning* Good Morning America* Good Morning America Weekend Edition...
- Malcolm Duncan, former owner of Duncan Buick Cadillac in Waco, Texas; educational philanthropist through MAC Scholarships.
- Ira B. Harkey Jr.
Ira B. Harkey Jr. was an author of books, professor of journalism, and editor and publisher of the Pascagoula, Mississippi Chronicle-Star from 1951 to 1963...
, awarded the 1963 Pulitzer Prize for Editorial WritingThe Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Writing has been awarded since 1917 for distinguished editorial writing, the test of excellence being clearness of style, moral purpose, sound reasoning, and power to influence public opinion in what the writer conceives to be the right direction...
- Conrad Hilton
Conrad Nicholson Hilton was an American socialite, hotelier and founder of the Hilton Hotels chain.- Biography :...
, founder of the Hilton Hotel chain
- Conrad Hilton Jr., American
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
socialiteA socialite is a person who is known to be a part of fashionable high society because of their regular participation in social activities and fondness for spending a significant amount of time entertaining and being entertained. Some socialites may choose to use their social skills and connections...
- Paul Horgan
Paul Horgan was an American author of fiction and non-fiction, most of which was set in the Southwestern United States...
, two-time Pulitzer PrizeThe Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by Hungarian-American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City....
winning author who also served as the school's librarian for a time.
- Peter Hurd
Peter Hurd was an American artist, born Harold Hurd, Jr., in Roswell, New Mexico.Nicknamed "Pete" by his parents, he later legally changed his name to Peter.-Life:...
, artist and friend of Horgan's who painted the presidential portrait of Lyndon B. JohnsonLyndon Baines Johnson , served as the 36th President of the United States from 1963 to 1969 after his service as the Vice President of the United States from 1961 to 1963...
- Victor Lownes
Victor Aubrey Lownes III . An executive with Playboy Enterprises in various capacities, various vice-presidencies, always a close confidant of Hugh Hefner. Headed Playboy Europe and the UK Playboy Clubs from the mid-sixties until his dismissal in the early eighties...
, former Playboy EnterprisesPlayboy Enterprises, Inc. , also organized as New Playboy, Inc. , is the company founded by Hugh Marston Hefner to manage the Playboy magazine empire. Today, Playboy Enterprises, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the development and distribution of adult entertainment. The Playboy...
executive
- Craig McNeil
Major Craig A. McNeil, Bronze Star, Combat Action Badge served as the command judge advocate at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq in 2004...
, an Abu GhraibThe city of Abu Ghraib in the Baghdad Governorate of Iraq is located just west of Baghdad's city center, or northwest of Baghdad International Airport. It has a population of 189,000. The old road to Jordan passes through Abu Ghraib...
prisoner abuse prosecutor and contributor to the Village Voice.
- Hal Mumme
Hal Clay Mumme is a college football coach, currently coaching at McMurry University.- Playing career :...
, collegiate football coach
- Anthony Principi
Anthony Joseph Principi was the 4th United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs. He was appointed by President George W. Bush on January 23, 2001, and resigned on January 26, 2005...
, the 4th United States Secretary of Veterans AffairsThe United States Secretary of Veterans' Affairs is the head of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the department concerned with veterans' benefits and related matters...
- Chuck Roberts
Chuck Roberts is a weekday news anchor on Headline News, based in CNN's world headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia....
, news anchor for CNN Headline NewsHLN, is a cable television news channel based in the United States, and a spinoff of the original cable news channel, CNN...
- Roger Staubach
Roger Thomas Staubach, also known as Roger the Dodger, The Jolly Roger, Captain Comeback, and Captain America, is a businessman, Heisman Trophy winner and Hall of Fame quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys from 1969 until 1979...
, quarterback of the Dallas CowboysThe Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football team that plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . They are headquartered in suburban Irving, Texas, which lies between Fort Worth and Dallas...
- G. Harry Stine
George Harry Stine is widely regarded as the father of model rocketry. Although he did not invent the hobby – that distinction goes to Orville Carlisle – he popularized it and made it into an organized hobby...
, sci-fi writer; a father of Model Rocketry
- Casey Urlacher
Casey Urlacher is a former American football defensive tackle/offensive tackle who played for the Chicago Rush and the Nashville Kats of the Arena Football League...
, Arena LeagueThe Arena Football League was founded in 1987 as an indoor American football by Jim Foster. It was played indoors on a smaller field than American football, resulting in a faster-paced and higher-scoring game...
football player, brother of Brian UrlacherBrian Kieth Urlacher is an American football player for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. Urlacher, an alumnus of the University of New Mexico, is a six-time Pro Bowl player and has established himself as one of the NFL's most productive linebackers...
- Major General
Major General or Major-General is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of Sergeant Major General. A Major General is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of Lieutenant General and senior to the ranks of Brigadier and Brigadier General...
Edwin WalkerMajor General Edwin Anderson Walker of the U.S. Army was known for his conservative political views and for being an attempted assassination target of Lee Harvey Oswald.-Early life and military career:...
- Frank D. White
Frank Durward White was only the second Republican governor of the U.S. state of Arkansas since Reconstruction. He served a single two-year term from 1981 to 1983. He is one of only two people to have defeated future President Bill Clinton in an election. The other is former U.S...
, governor of ArkansasArkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquin name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares a border with six states, with its eastern border largely defined by the Mississippi River. Its diverse geography ranges from the mountainous regions of the...
- Owen Wilson
Owen Cunningham Wilson is an American actor, comedian and writer.-Early life:Wilson was born in Dallas, Texas, to photographer Laura Cunningham Wilson and Robert Andrew Wilson, an advertising executive and operator of a public television station. He has an older brother, Andrew and a younger...
, movie actor (Bottle RocketBottle Rocket is a 1996 film directed by Wes Anderson. It was co-written by Anderson and Owen Wilson. As well as being Wes Anderson's directorial debut, Bottle Rocket was the debut feature for brothers Owen Wilson and Luke Wilson, who co-starred with James Caan and Robert Musgrave.The movie was a...
, Shanghai KnightsShanghai Knights is a 2003 action-comedy film. It is the sequel to Shanghai Noon. It was directed by David Dobkin and written by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar.-Plot:...
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)
External links