New Mexico Military Institute
Encyclopedia
New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI) is a state-supported educational institution. NMMI is located in Roswell
, New Mexico
, United States. It is sometimes referred to as the West Point of the West and it is the only state-supported military college located in the western United States. NMMI includes a college preparatory four-year high school
and a two-year junior college
. Founded in 1891 by Joseph C. Lea, who selected former Confederate
Col. Robert S. Goss as the Superintendent for the Goss Military Institute (which was later renamed NMMI), and inspired by Virginia Military Institute
, it is one of five Military Junior College
s in the United States
.
Students who attend NMMI are referred to as 'Cadets' and are classified as either 'Old Cadets' or 'New Cadets'. It typically has about 980 cadets, 95 percent of whom go on to four-year universities, The school's Army ROTC program commissions approximately 35 cadets per year as US Army 2nd Lieutenants through the US Army two-year Early Commissioning Program (ECP), and about 100 cadets each year go to one of the five major United States Service academies. Many NMMI graduates are currently serving as senior-level officers in the wars in Iraq
and Afghanistan
.
NMMI first admitted women as cadets in 1977 due to a court decision, although some women did attend as non-cadet 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 and is renowned for its quality leadership programs for female cadets.
The school's motto is "Duty, Honor, and Achievement". The school's teams are the Broncos (junior college) and the Colts (high school) and the school is known for the mandatory attendance of its cadets at football games. The school's colors are scarlet and black.
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, Steal, nor Tolerate Those Who Do."
. Its other sports compete in the Western Junior College Athletic Conference
.
Commandant of Cadets is Brigadier General Richard V. Geraci US Army (RET)
Deputy Commandant for Operations is currently unfilled.
Deputy Commandant for Support is Lieutenant Colonel Jeffry Cunningham US Army (RET)
Regimental Staff
Regimental Commander is c/COL Jeremy Harvard
Regimental Executive Officer is c/LTC Wade Thomas
Regimental Honor Board Chairman is c/LTC Wade Thomas
Regimental Adjutant is c/MAJ Reyes
Regimental Command Sergeant Major is c/CSM Reilly
Regimental Master of Fitness is c/MAJ Pacileo
Regimental Provost Marshall is c/MAJ Carlos Echevarri
Regimental Operations Officer is c/MAJ Bond
Regimental Color Guard Commander is Master Sergeant Angelo Santomenna
Nickie Vigil, first female graduate
GUILLERMO PADRÉS-ELÍAS; GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF SONORA, MEXICO
Roswell, New Mexico
Roswell 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 48,366 at the 2010 census. It is a center for irrigation farming, dairying, ranching, manufacturing, distribution, and petroleum production. It is also...
, New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, United States. It is sometimes referred to as the West Point of the West and it is the only state-supported military college located in the western United States. NMMI includes a college preparatory four-year high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
and a two-year junior college
Junior college
The term junior college refers to different educational institutions in different countries.-India:In India, most states provide schooling through 12th grade...
. Founded in 1891 by Joseph C. Lea, who selected former Confederate
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
Col. Robert S. Goss as the Superintendent for the Goss Military Institute (which was later renamed NMMI), and inspired by Virginia Military Institute
Virginia Military Institute
The 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 military college in the United States—and in keeping with its founding principles—all VMI students are...
, it is one of five Military Junior College
Military Junior College
In 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 go on to complete a bachelor's...
s in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Students who attend NMMI are referred to as 'Cadets' and are classified as either 'Old Cadets' or 'New Cadets'. It typically has about 980 cadets, 95 percent of whom go on to four-year universities, The school's Army ROTC program commissions approximately 35 cadets per year as US Army 2nd Lieutenants through the US Army two-year Early Commissioning Program (ECP), and about 100 cadets each year go to one of the five major United States Service academies. Many NMMI graduates are currently serving as senior-level officers in the wars in Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
and Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
.
NMMI first admitted women as cadets in 1977 due to a court decision, although some women did attend as non-cadet 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 and is renowned for its quality leadership programs for female cadets.
The school's motto is "Duty, Honor, and Achievement". The school's teams are the Broncos (junior college) and the Colts (high school) and the school is known for the mandatory attendance of its cadets at football games. The school's colors are scarlet and black.
NMMI today
New Mexico Military Institute provides a unique environment, where 6th Class (9th Grade High School Equivalent) through 1st Class (college sophomore) cadets are all treated on the basis of earned merit upon completion of their introductory period as a Recruit At Training (RAT) and subsequent year as a New Cadet. The military school structure is provided through all cadets living in the Troop Barracks, with all classes, meals, and military and physical training occurring "On Post" in a controlled environment. RATs and Cadre (cadets who train new RATs) perform PT early in the morning followed by a meal, and training in D&C (Drill and Ceremony)and other such activities associated with the military. After the 21/28 RAT days cadets earn even more privileges. After 42 days RATs become New Cadets and have almost full access to the campus. NMMI has a notable status system that was created in 1927. There are three statuses, New Cadet, Yearling, and Old Cadet. A high school cadet who has been at NMMI for a year "turns" into a yearling at the end of the year. Junior College members "turn" into yearlings after a semester. As for becoming an old cadet the system is the same, one year for high school and a semester for college, after their yearling terms, to become an Old Cadet. These statuses determine a cadet's privileges and authority and is one of the greatest social factors of the institute. There are certain rules of interaction that apply, a new cadet cannot socialize with a yearling and or old cadet in a non-professional manner or they may receive a "stick" for fraternization. A stick is the primary mode of punishment at NMMI. When given a stick, a certain amount of "tours" are given and also a certain amount of demerits. A tour is one hour of marching which is fulfilled through "Tour Squad" a group that meets at certain times and does various things to fulfill their tour credit. The standard stick for "Frat" A.K.A Fraternization is 40/40. In other words, one must fulfill forty hours of tour credit and must receive forty demerits. Cadets with too many demerits may be put on Academic and or Disciplinary Probation, in which many of their privileges are taken away. Punishment at the Institute is strict and quickly administered by the "Cadre" or student leaders of NMMI and the staff, when regulations are not followed.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, Steal, nor Tolerate Those Who Do."
Athletics
The football team competes in the Western States Football LeagueWestern States Football League
The 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 Conference
Western Junior College Athletic Conference
Also 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
President/Superintendent is Major General Jerry W. Grizzle USANG (RET)Commandant of Cadets is Brigadier General Richard V. Geraci US Army (RET)
Deputy Commandant for Operations is currently unfilled.
Deputy Commandant for Support is Lieutenant Colonel Jeffry Cunningham US Army (RET)
Regimental Staff
Regimental Commander is c/COL Jeremy Harvard
Regimental Executive Officer is c/LTC Wade Thomas
Regimental Honor Board Chairman is c/LTC Wade Thomas
Regimental Adjutant is c/MAJ Reyes
Regimental Command Sergeant Major is c/CSM Reilly
Regimental Master of Fitness is c/MAJ Pacileo
Regimental Provost Marshall is c/MAJ Carlos Echevarri
Regimental Operations Officer is c/MAJ Bond
Regimental Color Guard Commander is Master Sergeant Angelo Santomenna
Notable alumni
- Norman E. BrinkerNorman E. BrinkerNorman Eugene Brinker was a prominent restaurateur who was responsible for the creation of new business concepts within the restaurant field, such as the salad bar.-Biography:He was born on June 3, 1931...
, founder of Brinker InternationalBrinker InternationalBrinker International, Inc. , is the parent company of Chili's and Maggiano's Little Italy.-History:It was founded in 1975 as Chili's Bar and Grill, purchased by restaurateur Norman E. Brinker in 1983 and rechristened Brinker International in 1990; it now has more than 1,500 restaurants worldwide... - William John CoxWilliam John CoxWilliam 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. CoulombeCharles A. CoulombeCharles A. Coulombe is a prominent American Catholic historian, author, journalist, lecturer, and occasional researcher into the supernatural.- Life :...
- Bill DanielsBill DanielsRobert 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 United States Football League ....
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pioneer. - Sam DonaldsonSam DonaldsonSamuel Andrew "Sam" Donaldson, Jr. is a reporter and news anchor, serving with ABC News from 1967 to the present, best known as the network's White House Correspondent and as a panelist and later co-anchor of the network's Sunday Program "This Week."-Early life and career:Donaldson was born in El...
of ABC NewsABC NewsABC News is the news gathering and broadcasting division of American broadcast television network ABC, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company... - Malcolm Duncan, former owner of Duncan Buick Cadillac in Waco, Texas; educational philanthropist through MAC Scholarships.
- Ira B. Harkey Jr.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 WritingPulitzer 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 HiltonConrad HiltonConrad Nicholson Hilton was an American businessman and investor. He is well known for being the founder of the Hilton Hotels chain.-Early life:Hilton was born in San Antonio, New Mexico...
, founder of the Hilton Hotel chain - Conrad Hilton Jr., AmericanUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
socialiteSocialiteA socialite is a person who participates in social activities and spends a significant amount of time entertaining and being entertained at fashionable upper-class events.... - Paul HorganPaul HorganPaul Horgan was an American author of fiction and non-fiction, most of which was set in the Southwestern United States. He was the recipient of two Pulitzer prizes in History...
, two-time Pulitzer PrizePulitzer PrizeThe Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by 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 HurdPeter HurdPeter 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 B. JohnsonLyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States... - Hal MummeHal MummeHal Clay Mumme is an American college football coach. He is currently the head coach at McMurry University.- Playing career :...
, collegiate football coach - Anthony PrincipiAnthony PrincipiAnthony 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 fourth United States Secretary of Veterans AffairsUnited 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 RobertsChuck RobertsChuck Roberts is an American broadcast journalist, most notable for being the former weekday news anchor on Headline News, based in CNN's world headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia...
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, quarterback of the Dallas CowboysDallas CowboysThe Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas... - G. Harry StineG. Harry StineGeorge Harry Stine was one of the founding figures of model rocketry, a science and technology writer, and a science fiction author.-Education and early career:...
, sci-fi writer; a father of model rocketry - Casey UrlacherCasey UrlacherCasey 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. He may most notably be recognized as the younger brother of Brian Urlacher.-Early life:Casey was born to Brad and Lavoyda Urlacher in...
, Arena League football player, brother of Brian UrlacherBrian UrlacherBrian Keith Urlacher is an American football player for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League . He attended the University of New Mexico, where he was one of the school's most decorated athletes. In addition to setting multiple university records, Urlacher earned consideration for the...
Nickie Vigil, first female graduate
- Major GeneralMajor GeneralMajor 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 WalkerEdwin WalkerMajor General Edwin Anderson Walker was a United States Army officer known for his conservative political views and for being an attempted assassination target of Lee Harvey Oswald.-Early life and military career:... - Frank D. WhiteFrank D. WhiteFrank Durward White was the 41st 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 President Bill Clinton in an election. Frank Durward White (June 4, 1933 – May 21, 2003) was...
, governor of ArkansasArkansasArkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River... - Owen WilsonOwen WilsonOwen Cunningham Wilson is an American actor and writer, known for his roles in the films The Haunting, The Royal Tenenbaums, Zoolander, Meet the Parents, Wedding Crashers, You, Me and Dupree, Bottle Rocket, the Cars series, The Darjeeling Limited, Marley & Me, Midnight in Paris, Shanghai Noon,...
, movie actor (Bottle RocketBottle RocketBottle Rocket is a 1996 comedy 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 film...
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) - Jerome Dazzo, Founder of The Dazzo Hair Restoration Institute in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
GUILLERMO PADRÉS-ELÍAS; GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF SONORA, MEXICO