New Mexico Minuteman - Fall 2011
New Mexico Minuteman - Fall 2011 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.”
Garcia has many expectations for his MP Bn., with special emphasis in police and law enforcement training with local and state agencies. “I am focused on doing the right thing all the time. I’m surrounded by the most professional Soldiers in New Mexico, and I’m truly humbled to be their battalion commander,” said Garcia. Romero promoted to colonel By Sgt. Suzanna Dominguez, State Public Affairs NCO, JFHQ Lt. Col. Carla Romero, Human Resources offi cer, was promoted July 18, 2011, to the rank of colonel at the Regional Training Institute in Santa Fe. Romero joined the New Mexico National Guard in May 1982 and wascommissioned in August 1990 through the State Offi cer Candidate School program. After accepting her commission, Romero became a platoon leader for the 3631st Maintenance Company and has held various positions since then including commander of the 804th Maintenance Company and the 1115th Transportation Company, S1 and S3 offi cer for the 515th Corps Support Battalion, executive offi cer for the 804th Quartermaster Battalion, Active Guard and Reserve manager and her current position as the human resources offi cer. “When I joined the National Guard in 1982 as an E1 (private), I never in my wildest dreams thought I would be standing here today as a colonel,” said Romero. Romero was pinned by Maj. Gen. Kenny C. Montoya, The Adjutant General, her husband Tom, and her two children, Connor and Camryn. “I am thankful for the many excellent NCOs and offi cers who have worked for or with me throughout the years. It is because of them that I am able to be promoted to this rank,” said Romero. Command Sgt. Maj. Eicherly retires By 1st Lt. Tabitha Baker, 919th Military Police Company After a successful career, Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Eicherly retired from the New Mexico Army National Guard. “Sgt. Maj. Eicherly always wanted to do the right thing. Even when he was sick he was still coming in to work, making the New Mexico National Guard the great organization it is today,” said Maj. Gen. Kenny Montoya, the Adjutant General. Eicherly was awarded several medals in his retirement ceremony including the Legion of Merit for his selfl ess service during his military career. Soldiers from the G3 staff, and even more dear to his heart, recruiters from all over the state, attended the ceremony, presenting him awards and praise for all his hard work and dedication throughout the years with the New Mexico National Guard. NEWS BRIEFS Judkins assumes command of 515th RTI By Lt. Col. Jamison Herrera, State Public Affairs Offi cer Col. Thomas Bump relinquished command of the Headquarters 515th Regiment to Col. Eric Judkins during a change of command ceremony July 10, 2011, at the Regional Training Institute in Santa Fe, N.M. Judkins, a West Point graduate, joined the New Mexico Army National Guard in June 2000, and has held various positions since then. He has served in many capacities, including Joint Task Force commander at Plaquemines Parish for Hurricane Katrina, battalion commander for Operation Jump Start on the Southwest border. He led the relief effort for the Hatch fl ood recovery. Judkins also deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in 2008 and served as Joint Task Force GTMO director of commissions support and as the operations offi cer for the Joint Detention Group. Judkins praised his staff for their efforts in providing the very best training available to the Soldiers that walk through the RTI doors and produce better Warriors upon completion of that training. “The RTI has a critically important mission and training is core—integral to mission accomplishment. We are a force multiplier in combat,” said Judkins. Judkins is married to the former Monica Young and has two children: Marcus 14 and Thomas 12. Fall 2011 / NEW MEXICO National Guard 25
- Page 1: 150th Fighter Wing moves forward wi
- Page 4 and 5: 150th Fighter Wing moves forward wi
- Page 6 and 7: 226th Military Police Battalion tra
- Page 8 and 9: Engineers conduct AT on the border
- Page 10 and 11: New Mexico National Guard team comp
- Page 12 and 13: 111th MEB hosts Bataan Liberation P
- Page 14 and 15: B Co., 1st Bn. races away with TAG
- Page 16 and 17: Joining the offi cer ranks Six cand
- Page 18 and 19: By Lt. Col. Jamison Herrera, State
- Page 20 and 21: 1116th Transportation Company 1116t
- Page 22 and 23: 20 NEW MEXICO Minuteman / Fall 2011
- Page 24 and 25: 150th Fighter Wing honors their hom
- Page 28 and 29: CAMP DEFY aims to keep children out
- Page 30 and 31: By Sgt. Suzanna Dominguez, State Pu
- Page 32: 30 NEW MEXICO Minuteman / Fall 2011
Garcia has many expectations for<br />
his MP Bn., with special emphasis in<br />
police and law enforcement training<br />
with local and state agencies.<br />
“I am focused on doing the right thing<br />
all the time. I’m surrounded by the most<br />
professional Soldiers in <strong>New</strong> <strong>Mexico</strong>,<br />
and I’m truly humbled to be their battalion<br />
commander,” said Garcia.<br />
Romero promoted<br />
to colonel<br />
By Sgt. Suzanna Dominguez,<br />
State Public Affairs NCO, JFHQ<br />
Lt. Col. Carla Romero, Human<br />
Resources offi cer, was promoted July<br />
18, <strong>2011</strong>, to the rank of colonel at the<br />
Regional Training Institute in Santa Fe.<br />
Romero joined the <strong>New</strong> <strong>Mexico</strong><br />
National Guard in May 1982 and wascommissioned<br />
in August 1990 through<br />
the State Offi cer Candidate School<br />
program. After accepting her commission,<br />
Romero became a platoon leader<br />
for the 3631st Maintenance Company<br />
and has held various positions since<br />
then including commander of the 804th<br />
Maintenance Company and the 1115th<br />
Transportation Company, S1 and S3<br />
offi cer for the 515th Corps Support Battalion,<br />
executive offi cer for the 804th<br />
Quartermaster Battalion, Active Guard<br />
and Reserve manager and her current<br />
position as the human resources offi cer.<br />
“When I joined the National Guard<br />
in 1982 as an E1 (private), I never in<br />
my wildest dreams thought I would be<br />
standing here today as a colonel,” said<br />
Romero.<br />
Romero was pinned by Maj. Gen.<br />
Kenny C. Montoya, The Adjutant General,<br />
her husband Tom, and her two<br />
children, Connor and Camryn.<br />
“I am thankful for the many excellent<br />
NCOs and offi cers who have worked for<br />
or with me throughout the years. It is<br />
because of them that I am able to be<br />
promoted to this rank,” said Romero.<br />
Command Sgt. Maj.<br />
Eicherly retires<br />
By 1st Lt. Tabitha Baker,<br />
919th Military Police Company<br />
After a successful career, Command<br />
Sgt. Maj. Richard Eicherly retired from<br />
the <strong>New</strong> <strong>Mexico</strong> Army National Guard.<br />
“Sgt. Maj. Eicherly always wanted to<br />
do the right thing. Even when he was<br />
sick he was still coming in to work,<br />
making the <strong>New</strong> <strong>Mexico</strong> National Guard<br />
the great organization it is today,” said<br />
Maj. Gen. Kenny Montoya, the Adjutant<br />
General.<br />
Eicherly was awarded several<br />
medals in his retirement ceremony<br />
including the Legion of Merit for his<br />
selfl ess service during his military<br />
career. Soldiers from the G3 staff, and<br />
even more dear to his heart, recruiters<br />
from all over the state, attended the<br />
ceremony, presenting him awards and<br />
praise for all his hard work and dedication<br />
throughout the years with the <strong>New</strong><br />
<strong>Mexico</strong> National Guard.<br />
NEWS BRIEFS<br />
Judkins assumes<br />
command of 515th RTI<br />
By Lt. Col. Jamison Herrera,<br />
State Public Affairs Offi cer<br />
Col. Thomas Bump relinquished<br />
command of the Headquarters 515th<br />
Regiment to Col. Eric Judkins during a<br />
change of command ceremony July 10,<br />
<strong>2011</strong>, at the Regional Training Institute<br />
in Santa Fe, N.M.<br />
Judkins, a West Point graduate,<br />
joined the <strong>New</strong> <strong>Mexico</strong> Army National<br />
Guard in June 2000, and has held various<br />
positions since then. He has served<br />
in many capacities, including Joint Task<br />
Force commander at Plaquemines<br />
Parish for Hurricane Katrina, battalion<br />
commander for Operation Jump Start<br />
on the Southwest border. He led the<br />
relief effort for the Hatch fl ood recovery.<br />
Judkins also deployed to Guantanamo<br />
Bay, Cuba, in 2008 and served as Joint<br />
Task Force GTMO director of commissions<br />
support and as the operations<br />
offi cer for the Joint Detention Group.<br />
Judkins praised his staff for their<br />
efforts in providing the very best training<br />
available to the Soldiers that walk<br />
through the RTI doors and produce<br />
better Warriors upon completion of that<br />
training.<br />
“The RTI has a critically important<br />
mission and training is core—integral to<br />
mission accomplishment. We are a force<br />
multiplier in combat,” said Judkins.<br />
Judkins is married to the former<br />
Monica Young and has two children:<br />
Marcus 14 and Thomas 12.<br />
<strong>Fall</strong> <strong>2011</strong> / NEW MEXICO National Guard 25
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