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New Mexico Minuteman - Fall 2011

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By Lt. Col. Jamison Herrera, State Public Affairs Offi cer<br />

The <strong>New</strong> <strong>Mexico</strong> Youth ChalleNGe Academy Class 20<br />

graduated 32 cadets June 18, <strong>2011</strong>, at Bates Hall on the<br />

campus of <strong>New</strong> <strong>Mexico</strong> Military Institute, Roswell, N.M.<br />

Over the previous fi ve months, the graduates were<br />

challenged by cadre, teachers, and members from the<br />

<strong>New</strong> <strong>Mexico</strong> National Guard to exceed in academic<br />

excellence (GED/high school attainment), life-coping<br />

skills, leadership/followership, and physical fi tness. On<br />

graduation day the cadets exemplifi ed those expectations<br />

set before them.<br />

Gov. Susana Martinez and the fi rst gentlemen, Chuck<br />

Franco, attended the graduation and Martinez delivered<br />

keynote remarks for the ceremony.<br />

Also in attendance were Roswell Mayor Del Jurney,<br />

Maj. Gen. Kenny C. Montoya, Adjutant General of the<br />

<strong>New</strong> <strong>Mexico</strong> National Guard, Brig. Gen. Paul Pena,<br />

deputy adjutant general, and retired Brig. Gen. Jack<br />

Fox, who serves as the Youth ChalleNGe director.<br />

The graduates will continue the fi nal phase of the<br />

program, which includes a 12-month post-residential<br />

mentor phase.<br />

16 NEW MEXICO <strong>Minuteman</strong> / <strong>Fall</strong> <strong>2011</strong><br />

Youth ChalleNGe begins<br />

training in Santa Fe<br />

Story and photos by Sgt. Suzanna Dominguez, State Public Affairs NCO, JFHQ<br />

The <strong>New</strong> <strong>Mexico</strong> Youth ChalleNGe<br />

Academy Class 21 began their oneweek<br />

pre-challenge phase at the Onate<br />

Training Complex in Santa Fe, N.M., July<br />

25, <strong>2011</strong>.<br />

The pre-challenge phase began when<br />

52 student candidates arrived in Roswell,<br />

N.M., and were in-processed, received<br />

haircuts, were issued equipment and<br />

formed into a platoon where a cadre of<br />

instructors began to train them.<br />

With the help of Soldiers in the <strong>New</strong><br />

<strong>Mexico</strong> National Guard, the academy<br />

will transition candidates into cadets<br />

before leaving for Roswell to complete<br />

their 22-week resident course.<br />

During their stay in Santa Fe, the candidates will be challenged physically<br />

and mentally in an environment that encourages camaraderie, leadership and<br />

responsibility.<br />

The candidates will learn several basic common skill tasks, in addition to completing<br />

confi dence and team building exercises. Some of the skills the candidates<br />

will learn include military protocol, rank recognition, marching maneuvers, chain<br />

of command, and uniform inspection.<br />

Youth Challenge Academy graduates 32 Cadets

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