New Mexico Minuteman - Fall 2011

NEWS BRIEFS
The NMNG welcomes a
new commissioned offi cer
By 2nd Lt. Andrew Talbott,
University of New Mexico Army ROTC
James Raschel’s life-long dream
to become a commissioned offi cer in
the United States Army and become a
Black Hawk pilot came to fruition when
he was commissioned a second lieutenant
in aviation on Dec. 17, 2011 in
front of family and friends at the University
of New Mexico’s Continuing Education
Building.
Raschel joined the Army National
Guard at the age of 17 and attended
Basic Combat Training at Ft. Knox, Ky.,
followed by Advanced Individual Training
in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. Upon
returning to New Mexico, he attended
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
His ultimate goal was to become a Black
Hawk pilot and a commissioned offi cer
in the United States Army. Unsure of
how to obtain his goal, a friend referred
him to the Army Reserve Offi cer Training
Corps at the University of New Mexico.
Being committed to the ROTC program
is not easy work; it requires personal
sacrifi ces and commitment to the
program. With all the work that cadets
put in to the program, they receive a
benefi t that the majority of students
graduating from college will never
experience. Learning Army Values and
fundamental leadership skills helps
ROTC students in their Army careers
and civilian life.
While taking ROTC classes, Raschel
learned a variety of things—from what
the Army Values are to land navigation.
24 NEW MEXICO Minuteman / Fall 2011
He attended fi eld training exercises
and learned basic rifl e marksmanship.
Taking classes and attending labs
as well as physical training, students
grow stronger, both physically as well
as mentally.
Since Raschel joined ROTC while
still in the National Guard, he qualifi
ed for the simultaneous-membership
program. This enabled him to have
his school paid for under the National
Guard’s tuition-assistance and the GI
Bill. He also had the opportunity to
shadow a platoon leader during drill.
The UNM Army ROTC program allowed
him to graduate from Embry-Riddle
and pursue his dream of becoming
a commissioned offi cer in the United
States Army.
Grant County Forerunners
send care packages to
deployed troops
By Leon Pearce, PNM Forerunners
Bob Garrod and Leon Pearce of
Silver City, who represent the PNM
Forerunners, sent 22 care packages to
Soldiers of the New Mexico National
Guard’s Company C., 1st Battalion,
200th Infantry, out of Santa Clara, who
are currently serving a one-year deployment
in Kosovo.
The 22 boxes contained snacks,
foodstuffs, green chili, beef jerky, candy,
cookies, toiletries, tooth brushes and
other items donated by Grant County
Forerunner members.
Postage for the 22 boxes will cost
the group approximately $250, which
will be paid by Forerunner members.
Any amount not donated by members
will be picked up by the Forerunner
organization.
The Forerunners in Grant County
are a group of 52 retirees from PNM
and TNMP (Texas-New Mexico Power
Co.) employees who help people in
the community.
They also collect supplies for area
schools and aluminum tabs from cans
which are given to Ronald McDonald
House in Albuquerque.
Garcia takes charge of
226th MP Bn.
By 1st Lt. Tabitha Baker,
919th Military Police Company
The 226th Military Police Battalion
commander, Lt. Col. Rick Ryczkowski,
relinquished command of the battalion
to Lt. Col Steve Garcia June 5, 2011, at
the Veterans Park in Farmington, N.M.
Ryczkowski, who stood up the
226th Battalion in 2008, started with
one company and left with two fully
functional MP companies with approximately
350 Guardsmen strong.
Garcia is excited to be the second
battalion commander for the 226th
MP Bn.
“Battalion command is an extreme
honor to me,” said Garcia. “My father
regretted not getting his opportunity to
command a battalion. So I promised
him I’d be the best one if I was granted
the honor.”