New Mexico Minuteman - Fall 2011

Joining the offi cer ranks
Six candidates accept commission
By Sgt. Suzanna Dominguez, State Public Affairs, JFHQ
After 18 rigorous months of training, six candidates from the Offi cer Candidate
School class 54-11 accepted their commission into the New Mexico Army
National Guard as second lieutenants Sept. 11, 2011, at Onate Training Complex
in Santa Fe, N.M.
Offi cer Candidates Carlos Chavez, Heather Macdonald, Jose Martinez, Laura
Martinez, Erin Montoya, and Anthony Ulibarri took the oath of offi ce that initiated
their service as commissioned offi cers.
The day’s events began with a ruck march led by the Adjutant
General, Maj. Gen. Kenny C. Montoya, followed by completion
of the obstacle course and rappel tower.
Gov. Susana Martinez surprised the candidates at the rappel
tower when she arrived and pinned the new second lieutenants.
“It was truly an honor to have Gov. Martinez take the time to
pin all of us and welcome us into the offi cer ranks,” said 2nd Lt.
Erin Montoya, a graduate of class 54-11. “I really respect her
for taking an interest in our Soldiers and the organization.”
After getting into their dress attire, the second lieutenants
were joined by their families and friends for an offi cial ceremony
where they were pinned by loved ones and reaffi rmed the oath
of offi ce administered by Maj. Gen. Montoya.
“We were focused, driven, and inspired by each other to
push through the obstacles that were in front of us,” said 2nd
Lt. Jose Martinez, class president.
According to Martinez, because of the shared experiences
gained from four branches of the Armed Forces: Army, Marines,
Navy and Air Force, the graduating class will have the opportunity
to make a difference as leaders and Citizen-Soldiers.
Col. Richard Rael, guest speaker for the ceremony, addressed
the new offi cers. Rael offered the new offi cers words of wisdom
to assist them in their journey as leaders.
Maj. Chirstopher Garcia also addressed the offi cers and their
families, assuring the family members that their Soldiers’ hard
work and dedication to the program helped mold them from fi ne
Soldiers to young offi cers.
“We made them work long hours, we took them out of state
to train and kept them away from home for days at a time,” said
Garcia. “They came home grouchy, tired and sore; but after 18
months of grueling training and 243 hours of classroom instruction,
the fi nal product is what you see today.”
Garcia went on to announce the winners of the Physical Fitness
Award, Academic Excellence Award, Leadership Award and
the Erickson Award.
Winning the Physical Fitness Award and the Leadership
Award was 2nd Lt. Jose Martinez. The Academic Excellence
Award and the Erickson Award were awarded to 2nd Lt. Anthony
Ulibarri.
The lieutenants have been assigned to various units throughout
the state where they will implement the training they have
learned over the past 18 months.
14 NEW MEXICO Minuteman / Fall 2011
Offi cer Candidate Carlos Chavez is
pinned to the rank of second lieutenant
by Gov. Susana Martinez at the Onate
Training Complex in Santa Fe, N.M.
Offi cer Candidate Laura Martinez is pinned to
the rank of second lieutenant by her daughter
Rory Martinez during the OCS graduation
ceremony at the Regional Training Institute in
Santa Fe, N.M.
Offi cer Candidate Heather
Macdonald struggles over
one of the many obstacles
on the obstacle course
before being promoted to
second lieutenants at the
Onate Training Complex
in Santa Fe, N.M..
Governor Susanna Martinez and the fi rst gentleman, Chuck Franco, pose for
a picture with the newly promoted second lieutenants at the Onate Training
Complex in Santa Fe, N.M. Sept. 11, 2011.