New Mexico Minuteman - Winter 2012

NGB Chief visits
N.M. Soldiers in Kosovo
Page 3
Revving up for
the Middle East
Page 26
NMNG MEDEVAC
Soldiers doing great
things in Afghanistan
Page 14

Governor
Susana Martinez
Bob Ulin
Publisher
Justin Ritter
Graphic Designer
The Adjutant General
Maj. Gen.
Kenny C. Montoya
Public Affairs Officer
Lt. Col. Jamison Herrera
Editor
Staff Sgt. Suzanna Dominguez
Public Affairs Specialist
Joseph Vigil
Contributors
150th Fighter Wing Public
Information Office
2251 Air Guard Rd. SE
KAFB, N.M. 87117
Public Information Officer
Capt. Brian Raphael
200th Public Affairs Detachment
47 Bataan Blvd.
Santa Fe, N.M. 87508
Commander
Capt. Elizabeth Foott
ON THE COVER:
9-line call at dusk in
Afghanistan, Company
C, 1st Battalion, 171st
Aviation (Dustoff).
Photo by:
Sgt. William Stanley
Marie Lundstrom
Editor
Chris Kersbergen &
Darrell George
Advertising Sales
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Winter 2012
C O N T E N T S
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A message from the Adjutant General
A message from your SCSM
NGB chief gives praise, admiration to Guard members in Kosovo
Veteran Stand Down assists less fortunate vets
Santa Fe and Farmington construction projects move forward 5▼
Sena retires; trades in his uniform for civvies 6▼
RC-26 provides the “eyes in the sky” 7▼
Diversity Day strengthens National Guard family 8▼
NMNG celebrates Red Ribbon Week
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Making the Rank: Two NMNG females promoted to sergeant major
New Mexico MEDEVAC Soldiers provide critical support in Afghanistan
Multipurpose protectors: military police serve many roles, functions
www.nm.ngb.army.mil
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MOUT training comes to Camp Bondsteel
Lt. Gen. Edward Baca (Ret.) presented Lifetime Achievement Award
Building legal relations with local law enforcement helps move Kosovo forward
Team BTS competes at the Duke City Marathon
Strong Bonds helps couples build stronger relationships
Family teams strengthen bonds
Lively Guard history: fighting off Villa, border action
Resilience: strength beyond the uniform
News Briefs
Revving up for the Middle East
Do we really need SAFETY?
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22
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Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by
the Offi ce of Public Affairs, Joint Forces Headquarters –
New Mexico. All photographs and graphic devices are
copyrighted to the New Mexico National Guard Public
Affairs Offi ce unless otherwise indicated.
All submissions should pertain to the New Mexico
National Guard and are subject to editing. Contributions
and reader comments should be sent to:
joseph.leonard.vigil@us.army.mil
Winter 2012 / NEW MEXICO National Guard 1
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A message from the Adjutant General
Thank you for all your sacrifi ces
Happy New Year to all of you! This past year has seen many
challenges and accomplishments for the New Mexico National
Guard. I have been very fortunate to have visited our Soldiers serving
in Kosovo a couple of times and watched our Soldiers there
performing with the utmost professionalism.
They witnessed many changes within their area of responsibility
during their deployment. They had to deal with many volatile
situations while deployed and always relied on their training and
discipline to ensure that they did the right thing and kept everyone
safe. The leadership and teamwork of all the Soldiers on the
mission are to be congratulated for doing such a great job. I could
not be more proud of all of you and your families for representing
our state and nation with so much honor and integrity. Thank you
all for your sacrifi ces.
We still have our own Medevac C-171st Company in Afghanistan
doing great things. We have seen many reports detailing the
As we start another new year, I want to share with you a few
experiences I had during the past year. They have to do with the
fi nest Soldiers and Airmen of the New Mexico National Guard.
First, there are about 500 members of the Army and Air
National Guard that were ordered to active duty, mustered at their
hometown armories or air bases, made fi nal preparations for their
active duty missions; then, in most cases, deployed to someplace
far away from their homes, families, jobs, and civilian lives. From
Roswell to Santa Fe and many other New Mexico communities
in-between, Soldiers and Airmen have said goodbye to their loved
ones to answer their nation’s call.
I watched these farewells with emotions. On one hand, I
regretted that families would be separated; holidays, birthdays and
school plays would be missed; and that many of these fi ne young
men and women of our New Mexico National Guard were being
sent into harm’s way. But on the other hand, I was as proud of them
as they prepared to serve.
I was also proud of our governor, Susana Martinez and Mahlon
Love, civilian aide to the Secretary of the Army, along with fellow
New Mexicans for supporting our Soldiers and Airmen as they
left their hometowns for destinations half a world away. It wasn’t
always this way.
Most New Mexico citizens only know what our Soldiers are
doing overseas from what they hear from the national news. In
October, Maj. Gen. Kenny Montoya, the Adjutant General, Col.
Mark Arellano and I had the opportunity to visit our Soldiers in
2 NEW MEXICO Minuteman / Winter 2012
accomplishments and life-saving missions
that this unit has been involved
in. Always remember to keep them
and their families in your prayers.
We are preparing to send off
another 400-plus Soldiers to the
Middle East to assist our world
partners with a peacekeeping mission. This unit has been preparing
diligently for the past year and are excited and well prepared
to take on and complete this mission safely.
As the world situation continues to evolve, we will as well. We
have been a very responsive force for the past 10 years, and I
have full trust and confi dence that the New Mexico National Guard
will continue to meet all challenges we will encounter, “Beyond
the Standard!”
Adair refl ects on his past
year’s experiences
Kosovo and see fi rsthand what the news
media have not been able to show you—
that our New Mexico Soldiers are highly
motivated and respected, and they are
doing excellent work in an unstable
environment. They are serving America
and the people of Kosovo with distinction
and honor.
Maj. Gen.
Kenny C. Montoya
State Command Sgt.
Maj. Kenneth Adair
Our Soldiers are also doing remarkable things in Afghanistan.
They have fl own over 800 missions, sometimes under hostile
conditions, to provide critical medical evacuation coverage for our
wounded Soldiers, Marines, Airmen and Seamen; they have been
providing medevac coverage 24 hours a day, seven days a week,
at four separate locations since arriving in Afghanistan. Many U.S.
and allied service members and Afghan civilians can credit their
lives to the quality of service and fast response time Company C
has provided.
Seeing what these sons and daughters of New Mexico accomplish
daily reminds me why I wear the red, white and blue on my
shoulder.
Of all the experiences I’ve had during the past year, none
equals the happiness I’ve felt seeing our Soldiers and Airmen step
off airplanes and back into the arms of their families. If you’ve ever
seen a father hold his six-month-old baby for the fi rst time, you
can begin to imagine how joyous and special these homecomings
have been.

NGB chief gives praise, admiration
to Guard members in Kosovo
By Staff Sgt. Anna Doo
CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo – Air Force Gen. Craig R.
McKinley, chief of the National Guard Bureau, visited Soldiers
and Airmen stationed in Kosovo Oct. 24, 2011. The service
members are part of Multinational Battle Group East, Kosovo
Forces 14 deployment in support of the NATO-led peacekeeping
mission here. McKinley, along with the adjutants
general from Maryland and New Mexico and senior enlisted
personnel from NGB and the two states, spent the day touring
multiple locations where U.S. personnel are stationed.
At the Forward Command Post at Camp Novo Selo,
Kosovo, personnel showed McKinley the operations cell
as well as the truly multinational aspect of the operation.
The group consists of Moroccan, French, German and U.S.
Soldiers working together.
After touring Kosovo with Task Force Aviation in UH-60 Black
Hawks, McKinley hosted a question and answer session with more
than 300 Soldiers stationed at Camp Bondsteel. McKinley began
by commenting on the professionalism of the Soldiers stationed in
Kosovo during the recent unrest that has reshaped the deployment.
“I wanted to come today so you could hear my words of thanks,
my words of appreciation and admiration,” McKinley said. “This
region of the world is not completely settled from the wars. My
administration to you all for your discipline and your restraint at that
moment in September, no matter whether you were here supporting
the force or you were actually at Gate 1, the Soldiers represented by
this KFOR mission did a magnifi cent job.”
News of the unrest in northern Kosovo and the U.S. Forces’
professional response reached the Secretary of Defense and the U.S.
president, McKinley said. He went on to say they were all pleased
with the manner in which the Soldiers reacted and voiced their
support of KFOR’s efforts at de-escalating tensions and threats to
the security situation.
Before McKinley opened the fl oor for questions, he said, “I am
standing in a room full of people who have put service before self; my
congratulations and hat’s off to you all.”
Soldiers were able to voice concerns to the NGB chief. Questions
concerned an issue currently being discussed in the highest levels
of U.S. politics—the retirement system for volunteer Soldiers, fi nancial
incentives for particular military occupation skills and delays in
paying out enlistment bonuses.
McKinley answered other questions regarding the semantics of
combat pay and recognition, and inequalities in subsistence with
counterparts serving in other theaters. Maj. Daniel Caisse asked
McKinley about the future of the National Guard within the current
budget constraints and right sizing of the economy. Chief Warrant
Offi cer William Jepsen voiced concern over the age of equipment
the National Guard is using and whether a plan for fi elding newer
equipment is being considered.
McKinley answered both questions with praise for the ingenuity
of Guardsmen in using available assets to complete any mission set
before them, and the prospect of tough decisions about where to cut
back and where to spend. He said that the strategic development
process set by the president will shape those decisions.
“We will size the force to a strategy he [the president] thinks he
can afford. It should be a strategy, it shouldn’t just be an affordability
drill here,” McKinley said. “When that happens, they’re going to pass
down things to us in the National Guard that are either going to be
utilizing our skills and our affordability, and the fact that we are doing it
at less cost, and we can put more force or at least the same size force
and give the nation a hedge force like an insurance policy. Or they’ll
take a slice across the board, which happens periodically, where
everybody pays their fair share. We haven’t gotten to that point yet.”
He went on to add the additional mission of the citizen Soldier
citing the numerous natural disasters of this past year that called
upon local Guardsmen to aid their fellow citizens.
McKinley said, “We have another mission also; and that is to take
care of our mission at home. The governors expect the National
Guard to be available, well-trained and well-equipped, and we go
out of those gates of the armory ready to go.”
“It’s an important event, that’s for sure—to have someone of his
stature and position come speak with us. I appreciate it,” said Sgt.
Timothy Tharp of the visit. “Of course I really appreciate the work
Col. [Michael D.] Schwartz [MNBG E commander] does on our
behalf. He’s not a four-star, but he fi ghts for us. He has to take his
lumps just like us, but he’s still spent many sleepless nights working
to get us what we need.”
McKinley presented 13 junior enlisted Soldiers with coins for a
job well done. The New Mexico Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Kenny
C. Montoya, also presented coins to six Soldiers. Five enlisted
service members were also honored with coins from New Mexico
State Command Sgt. Maj. Kenneth Adair. New Mexico National
Guardsmen make up the headquarters element of MNBG-E as well
as the majority of service members present along with those from 22
additional states, territories and nine countries.
Soldiers expressed their gratitude to the NGB for sending the
top leadership to Kosovo to speak face to face with the personnel
stationed here.
McKinley, the fi rst four-star general to hold the position of chief of
the NGB, reciprocated that sentiment by showing his gratitude to the
Soldiers who volunteered for this tour of duty.
Winter 2012 / NEW MEXICO National National Guard Guard 3

Veteran Stand Down assists
less fortunate vets
By Master Sgt. Paula Aragon, 150th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Offi ce
Less fortunate veterans had a chance to take advantage of some
assistance offered at the annual Veteran Stand Down on Oct. 14-15,
2011. Members of the New Mexico National Guard united with
the New Mexico Veterans Integration Center, N.M. Department of
Workforce Solutions - VETS, N.M. Department of Veterans Services,
the VA Medical Center and other federal, state and local nonprofi t
organizations to ensure that our vets had an opportunity to get a meal
to eat, new warm clothes to wear, an opportunity to shower, get haircuts
and fl u shots. Over the two days, the Stand Down and the New Mexico
Veterans Integration Center saw roughly 350 veterans and an additional
300 homeless people seeking assistance.
As with years past, the veterans seemed to get younger and younger.
In the past, many associated the word “vet” with Vietnam. Unfortunately,
many of our military members are returning home from military
deployments with various issues. As a result of these issues, some of
these men and women have a hard time reintegrating into everyday life.
They have suffered physically, mentally and emotionally due to their
experiences on deployment and at times, their returning experiences.
These “injuries” in many cases run deep. This is why the Stand
Down was created. The concept of Stand Down refers to a grassroots,
community-based intervention program designed to help the nation’s
estimated 107,000 homeless veterans “combat” life on the streets on
any given night. Homeless veterans are brought together in a single
location for one to three days and are provided access to the community
resources needed to begin addressing their individual problems
and rebuilding their lives.
A Stand Down brings together various agencies and service providers
to provide a comprehensive system that encourages and assists
homeless veterans to overcome distrust and feelings of isolation with
the knowledge that this event promises to address multiple problems
at one time and place. It provides a safe environment
in which they can connect with people who have
shared experiences and cultivate hope that they can
rebuild their lives with the assistance provided.
Many members in uniform must realize that this
could happen to any one of them. The confl icts that
many military members have served in could one day
render them ‘unfi t’ for further duty. Service members
must embrace their fellow veterans and do what they
can to stop this cycle of homelessness.
This year’s event was very successful, but those
words do not compute. A successful year would be a
day when this event happens again and no veterans
come in need. They will not have to come, for homelessness
will have been conquered. But until then,
when you see a fellow comrade in need, offer them
a glimmer of hope, for life is too short. Acknowledge
them, shake their hand, offer them a meal or just
welcome them home.
4 NEW MEXICO Minuteman / Winter 2012

By Sgt. 1st Class Douglas Mallary,
Construction & Facilities Management Offi ce
As the new Army Aviation Support
Facility in Santa Fe nears completion, the
Construction & Facilities Management
Offi ce of the New Mexico Army National
Guard has awarded a contract to begin
remodeling the Farmington Readiness
Center and is fi nalizing plans for an
aviation readiness center in Santa Fe.
The new AASF is now approximately 68
percent complete and will be fi nished in
about four months, according to Capt.
Wilbert Archuleta, project manager. Maj.
Gen. Kenny C. Montoya, the Adjutant
General of New Mexico, toured the facility
Aug. 25, 2011, with Santa Fe Mayor David
Coss and offi cials from the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers to mark the halfway point of
the construction. The Corps of Engineers is
providing contract oversight of the project.
PCL Construction is the general contractor.
Construction of the new AASF is on
time and on budget with an overall price
tag of approximately $36 million. “It’s actually
been pretty uneventful, aside from the
usual hiccups of construction,” said project
manager 1st Lt. Wilford Griego.
Once the new AASF is completed, the
old AASF will be transformed into a new
readiness center for the Guard’s aviation
units—Company C., 1st Battalion, 171st
General Support Aviation Brigade, and
Detachment 44, Operational Support Airlift
Command. Deniz Berdine, an engineering
specialist with CFMO, said that design plans
for the new readiness center are 90 percent
Santa Fe and Farmington
construction projects move forward
complete, and she anticipates selection of
a general contractor by March 2012.
Berdine said that the new readiness
center is expected to achieve a Silver
Rating for Leadership in Energy and
Environment Design from the U.S. Green
Building Council, as are the new AASF and
remodeled Farmington Readiness Center.
“This will be our third LEED Silver building.
It’s very exciting,” said Berdine. Besides
fulfi lling government regulations for new
construction, LEED-certifi ed buildings are
environmentally friendly, energy effi cient
and cost effective, she said.
In Farmington, the New Mexico Army
National Guard selected Jaynes Corporation
to be the general contractor for the
readiness center overhaul and has issued
a notice to proceed. A ground breaking
ceremony took place Nov. 4, 2011. According
to Dan Selph, the CFMO’s master planner,
the project will provide a more modern
facility for its resident units, the 226th
Military Police Battalion and the 919th
Military Police Company.
The units temporarily relocated to two
leased buildings during construction, and
the Four Corners Regional Airport will
provide parking space for military vehicles.
Since the vehicles will be at the airport,
Selph said, the local Civil Air Patrol has
offered the use of its hangar for training
as well. Construction is expected to take
14 months to complete and cost approximately
$11 million.
“Support from the local community in
Farmington has been outstanding,” Selph
said. Besides cooperation from the airport
and the Civil Air Patrol, he said that
the mayor’s offi ce, city manager’s offi ce
and the entire city council have been very
cooperative.
Looking forward, Selph said that he
would like to see the New Mexico Army
National Guard begin a major construction
project every fi scal year if funding can be
obtained. “I don’t like to just push paper,”
said Selph, a retired Army lieutenant
colonel. “I like to put steel on target.”
Winter 2012 / NEW MEXICO National Guard 5
Rendering: Courtesy or Dekker/Perich/Sabatini

Sena retires;
trades in his uniform for civvies
By Joseph Vigil, Public Affairs specialist
Sgt. Maj. Louis E. Sena celebrated the closing of a distinguished
military career during a retirement ceremony held in his
honor with friends, family and fellow Guard members on Oct.14,
2011, at the Regional Training Institute, Santa Fe. Sena’s history
of selfl ess service spans over 36 years, one month and 25 days to
when he last served as the military personnel sergeant major.
Sena enlisted in the National Guard as a food service specialist
in June 1970. He began his career as a full-time Guardsman on
Oct. 3, 1985 as a clerk typist in HHB, 4th Battalion, 200th ADA, in
Tucumcari. The headquarters moved to Clovis in June 1986 where
he achieved the rank of sergeant fi rst class and was assigned as the
personnel staff noncommissioned offi cer of the S-1 section. Sena
transferred to Troop Command in May 1991 and served as the
senior personnel services sergeant until July 2005. Sena was then
transferred to Joint Forces Headquarters as the military personnel
sergeant major, where he fi nished his career in the National Guard.
“It is a rewarding feeling to hear fi rst-hand the accomplishments
of our Soldiers during deployments and state missions,” said Col.
Brian Baca, chief of staff, who presided over the ceremony. “And
you, Sgt. Maj. Sena, have made those accomplishments possible
because of what you have set up here.”
“Louie, you are all about the Soldiers, and you have always put
Soldiers fi rst throughout your career,” said Baca. “You epitomize
what Soldier care stands for.”
Sena and his wife Renee have practiced that same care with
their family and their community. In addition to raising their nine
children, they have fostered over 60 children. They have made a
tremendous impact on the lives of these children.
“Your work ethic has always been beyond reproach,” said Baca.
6 NEW MEXICO Minuteman / Winter 2012
“You have always given it your all and done it well at all levels.
You have always worked hard, accomplished lots, and have never
taken the credit for anything.”
Baca went on to say that Sena has done an incredible job working
with the casualty assistance program. Sena, the fi rst person
to get notifi cations of bad news of casualties and fallen Soldiers
while deployed, built a tremendous rapport with Fort Bliss while
working with these diffi cult situations.
“He has seen fi rst-hand the consequences of war and the
value of peace,” wrote Maj. Gen. Kenny C. Montoya, the Adjutant
General, in a letter of appreciation. “His service was at a time when
it counted the most.”
Sena was awarded the Legion of Merit, New Mexico Distinguished
Service Medal, a letter of appreciation from President Barack Obama,
a certifi cate of service from National Guard Bureau chief, Gen. Craig
R. McKinley, a certifi cate of appreciation and a New Mexico State
fl ag from Gov. Susana Martinez and a letter of appreciation from
Maj. Gen. Kenny C. Montoya, the Adjutant General.
A fl ag ceremony depicted the ranks held by Sena along with a
memorable event he experienced at each rank. As a new private fi rst
class, he served his fi rst Annual Training during the Albuquerque
riots in 1971. His fondest Guard memory was as a specialist 4
when Gov. Bruce King visited his unit during AT.
“I have dedicated over half my life to the National Guard,” said
Sena in closing; and in his typically humble style, concluded with
“I hope I have done a good job for you.”
Sena leaves us in uniform, but the New Mexico National Guard
will continue to benefi t from his knowledge, experience and modest
style when he returns to work as a civilian for the organization.

By Master Sgt. Paula Aragon, New Mexico Air National Guard
Most people don’t know what the RC-26
and its personnel are all about. They have
been a part of the unit serving proudly
alongside the F-16s, but since the F-16s
have departed, this twin turboprop aircraft
sits alone on the ramp. The missions this
aircraft handles vary from overseas tours
to local homeland security missions to
disaster response.
The RC-26 primary mission is reconnaissance.
As with any reconnaissance aircraft,
they are in high demand all over the world.
All crewmembers have deployed seven
times or more in recent years. The pace
shows no indication of slowing down.
In the national RC-26 community, New
Mexico is a leader. The 150th is the RC-26
pilot unit and maintains the UTC, coordinates
movement of personnel and equipment
for rapid deployments, and maintains the
specialized equipment for the entire fl eet.
In Haiti, the unit was called on to
provide real time imagery. Lt. Col. Greg
Mathwig was tasked as the commander
of the multistate deployment of the
RC-26, commanding National Guard units
from New York, Washington, Arkansas,
Florida and Texas. His crews provided
high quality, real-time video downlinks
to the ground force commander, intelligence
staff and the Joint Task Force
providing disaster relief to the citizens of
Haiti. The imagery helped rescuers and
other ground personnel plan and execute
rescue missions. It also helped them to
position food and medical supplies to
the most needed areas of the disasterhit
region. They helped save hundreds
of lives. Air Force Southern commanding
general, Lt. Gen. Mike Shields personally
commended the job Mathwig and the
RC-26 crews accomplished.
RC-26 crews also assisted in the relief
effort after the devastation Hurricane
Katrina brought to the Gulf states. They
were able to show imagery of damaged
power plants and the local infrastructure
which assisted ground personnel in
getting help, resources, and medical
supplies to the areas needing
the most aid.
The aircraft was also involved
with the British Petroleum oil spill.
Their mission was to fi nd the oil
and help vector in the skimmers to
recover it.
When the fi res in Southern
California were raging out of control,
they assisted in checking for
hotspots. Again, using the imagery,
they were able to alert the fi re
crews below. This helped prevent
fl are-ups, and fi re crews were able to
contain the fi res with better accuracy.
When not deployed, the RC-26 unit supports
law enforcement all over the Southwest
region, resulting in a more secure
border. They also support kids at the local
schools through National Guard Bureau
education drug awareness programs.
Day in and day out, they are the “eyes
in the sky” giving data to the agencies that
rely on them. They have proved their skills
and given help to numerous groups and
individuals. They will tell you that it’s all
in a day’s work, but the work they do has
touched many lives.
This piece is dedicated to honor
Kenneth Lee Baileys, RC-26 maintainer,
Sept. 25, 1962-January 21, 2011
May your wings always fl y high!
Photo: Staff Sgt. Jim Greenhill
Winter 2012 / NEW MEXICO National Guard 7

Diversity Day strengthens National Guard family
By Joseph Vigil, Public Affairs Specialist
The New Mexico National Guard celebrated Diversity Day at
the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque, Aug. 31, 2011,
and took the opportunity to inform Soldiers and Airmen of three
diverse groups within the organization. The event featured cultural
information, entertainment, an ethnic meal and panel discussions
about how Native Americans, African Americans and women have
integrated into the New Mexico National Guard.
While integration has improved tremendously, the road to diversity
has not always been smooth. Soldiers in these diverse groups
may have experienced different trials and tribulations at some point
in their careers. It is events like this that give us the opportunity to
learn about and respect these diverse cultures and traditions and
provide a better understanding of each other’s backgrounds, thus
strengthening our family of Guard Soldiers.
“Our cultures are diverse, yet we have lots of unity in the New
Mexico National Guard,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Liz Bryant, state
equal employment manager.
Bryant explained what Diversity Day is all about, how it would
differ from the previous year and how the new “special panels”
were going to work. She and Brig. Gen. Paul Pena, deputy
adjutant general, explained the Adjutant General’s Diversity Day
8 NEW MEXICO Minuteman / Winter 2012
focus of learning about each other’s diverse roles and sharing
cultural experiences.
Native Americans took center stage, leading guests in the
Pledge of Allegiance, opening prayer, and blessing songs. An
Eagle Dance was performed by 10-year-old Thomas Fuqua of
Jemez Pueblo whose regalia was adorned by a proudly displayed
U.S. fl ag. Eagle Dances and blessing songs are very important
to Native American culture and require permission from elders
before performance. This dance was dedicated to Soldiers and
Airmen who defend our country and for their safe return from
deployments.
“It was fun and cool,” said Fuqua of performing for Soldiers. “I
have never been around Soldiers before. This is special because
they are my role models.”
“Pueblo” is a term defi ned as “village,” given by the Spaniards
when they fi rst saw their dwellings. “Pueblo” now denotes a race
of people, explained Greg Analla, Cultural Arts and Indian Education
director at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center.
Analla led the discussion about pueblo culture, respect and
symbolism, then offered a “beautiful morning” in Keres language
and taught a few other Keres phrases.

“Pueblo culture is taught through symbolism
and art that relates to Pueblo life,” said Analla.
“For example, there are no calendars in Pueblo
culture because everything is based on cycles.
Morning, day, night or the seasons are cycles
depicted in Pueblo symbolism.”
“We are quiet people and are brought up to
respect our culture, elders, everybody and everything,”
said Staff Sgt. Joshua Claw. “My upbringing
has helped me in my military career.”
“But serving in the military can sometimes be
awkwardly challenging in relation to our traditions,”
said Senior Airman Alexander Attakai.
“Everything, including our ceremonies and feast
days are sacred and important to us, and it is
sometimes diffi cult to attend because of work.
It’s hard to explain to a non-native.”
Special ethnic panels stressed the importance
of working together and enjoying the
differences.
The women’s panel discussed challenges for women in their
military careers. Col. Judy Griego shared her experience about
being the fi rst female in operations with pilots and trying to get
commissioned in a male-oriented fi eld.
“I worked hard and was lucky for the opportunity,” said Griego.
The challenge of getting women into the National Guard was
also discussed. Staff Sgt. Marissa Harper, a recruiter for the Air
National Guard, said she is able to put potential female recruits at
ease because she is female. The most common question she gets
is “how does being female and having a family affect being in the
National Guard?”
There were also discussions about how long we are keeping
our women Soldiers and Airmen and if they are progressing in
their careers and getting the same opportunities as their male
counterparts. Talk centered on concerns that many women in the
military face the diffi cult choice of choosing between family and
their careers, many voicing that it becomes a more diffi cult sacrifi
ce for mothers with children.
The panel also discussed whether or not women should be
allowed to serve on the front lines of the battlefi eld. While women
have the same level of commitment as their male counterparts to
do their jobs, and they go through the same training, issues such
as anatomical differences, hygiene, women POWs, torture and
public image were all factors in this discussion.
“Our role as leaders becomes to fi nd a way to offer these opportunities
for females that want to pursue them,” said Griego.
Spc. Quinten Dorn, who was the youngest and lowest ranking
on the panel, said that the African American panel went very
well, and it helped him realize that being a minority today is easier
for him because of the diversity work accomplished by his peers
before him.
“The panels gave everyone the opportunity to ask any question,”
said Dorn. “We were able to share our experiences without
any negativity or prejudices, and that helps people understand
each other better which makes us a better Guard.”
Gary Williams, deputy director of the Offi ce of African American
Affairs, thanked the New Mexico National Guard for conducting
diversity training. Williams told
attendees to take advantage of
this training and put it to best use
possible in our organization.
“We are the only state in the
country with a seat on the governor’s
cabinet,” said Williams
of the Offi ce of African American
Affairs. “And we welcome the
opportunity to work with the New
Mexico National Guard.”
State Rep. Jane Powdrell-
Culbert gave an inspirational talk
about growing up in Albuquerque’s
South Broadway area with
Hispanics, African Americans, Native Americans and Anglos. “We
were one community who worked, played and stuck together,”
said Culbert. “All the children were taught honor, respect, and how
to work hard.”
“We work as a unit here in New Mexico regardless of our backgrounds,”
said Culbert. “You can do things here that you can’t do
anywhere else.”
Culbert is the fi rst African American elected in New Mexico
as a Republican. She was appointed in 1986 by Gov. Garrey
Carruthers as executive director on the status of women.
“Diversity training is necessary, and I am ecstatic to be at a level
where I can vote on issues for a better quality of life for all of us,”
said Culbert.
Culbert praised the New Mexico National Guard and the military
for helping individuals grow in their skills and careers. Being the
wife of an Army colonel, Culbert knows military training changes
a person to be disciplined and greatly fulfi lls the role for teaching
leadership across the country.
The New Mexico National Guard will continue to host events
like this in order to learn more about and better understand each
other’s backgrounds and to strengthen our Guard family.
Winter 2012 / NEW MEXICO National Guard 9

NMNG celebrates Red Ribbon Week
By Spc. Brad Beitler, CDS Mentorship coordinator
The New Mexico National Guard Drug Demand
Reduction section celebrated a successful Red
Ribbon Week at schools and organizations statewide.
National Red Ribbon Week is the oldest and largest drug prevention
campaign in the country. It is an ideal way for people, schools
and communities to unite and take a visible stand against drugs.
By wearing the Red Ribbon, an individual shows a personal commitment
to a drug-free lifestyle.
The Red Ribbon campaign was started when drug traffi ckers in
Mexico City murdered Kiki Camarena, a Drug Enforcement Agency
agent in 1985. Since then, the annual tradition of displaying Red
Ribbons symbolizes intolerance toward the use of drugs.
The mission of the Red Ribbon campaign is to present a unifi ed
and visible commitment toward the creation of a drug-free nation.
“Red Ribbon Week is an outstanding opportunity for Soldiers
and Airmen to interact and educate the youth of our communities,”
said 1st Sgt. Patrick Chavez, Drug Demand Reduction
administrator. “This celebration allows DDR personnel to show
how passionate we are about our mission of drug prevention
and reduction.”
In honor of this important mission, DDR and Soldiers throughout
the state organized and participated in festivities at numerous
schools and organizations throughout New Mexico including, in
Albuquerque, Washington Middle School, Truman Middle School,
Garfi eld Middle School, Van Buren Middle School, Rudolfo Anaya
Elementary, and Alamosa Community Center.
The Las Cruces celebrations were at Sierra Middle School,
Valley View Elementary, Camino Real Middle School, Deming
High School and Sonoma Elementary.
Additionally, DDR Soldiers helped coordinate anti-drug events
in Espanola at Fairview Elementary, Velarde Elementary, Carlos F.
Vigil Middle School, Chimayo Elementary, and a community “Mini
Drug Walk.”
10 NEW MEXICO Minuteman / Winter 2012
Junior Army Guard cadets from Truman Middle School perform a fl ag folding
ceremony during the opening celebration of Red Ribbon Week.
DDR also supported Red Ribbon missions at Ann Parrish
Elementary in Los Lunas, Rio Rancho’s Mountain View Middle
School, Ojo Caliente’s North Central Community Based Services
and the Bloomfi eld Police Department.
The New Mexico National Guard Drug Demand Reduction
section could not have completed these successful missions without
the outstanding support of their anti-drug community partners,
including the Albuquerque Police Department, Albuquerque Fire
Department, Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department, U.S. Attorney’s
Offi ce, Northern Rio Arriba Communities Health Coalition, New
Mexico State Police, Rio Arriba DWI Coalition, Northern New
Mexico Drug Summit Coalition, Las Cruces Police Department,
Las Cruces Fire Department, New Mexico Border Patrol, and
numerous other generous organizations.
Red Ribbon Week allows Soldiers, teachers, students, and
community members to learn about the dangers of drugs, alcohol,
tobacco, and gangs as well as to participate in enjoyable learning

activities such as rock wall climbing, helicopter
displays and tours, drug sniffi ng
dog demonstrations, DUI unit tours, fi re
truck tours, an infl atable obstacle course,
motorcycle police offi cers, police car
tours, and numerous other opportunities
for students to learn about the dangers of
drugs from New Mexico’s law enforcement
agencies and civil servants.
According to Albuquerque’s Garfi eld
Middle School principal, David Lynch, “Red
Ribbon Week created a sense of community
in our school. It allowed the administration,
Soldiers, teachers, and the student
council to organize numerous activities that
promote a healthy lifestyle.” Lynch also
added that the presence of the National
Guard in his school “gives students a sense
of belonging.”
“I have seen many students improve
behavior, attendance, attitude, and grades
by having the opportunity to be instructed
by New Mexico National Guard Soldiers
in the classroom,” said Lynch “There are
many negative infl uences on middle school
students these days such as drugs, promiscuity,
and gangs. The Soldiers working
in the schools help immensely in steering
the students away from those possibly
negative life changing obstacles.” He also
said that having the National Guard in his
school has been extremely well received
by students, teachers, parents, and community
members.
Red Ribbon Week was successful
throughout New Mexico. The feedback
from students, school personnel, community
members, and all the contributing
volunteers was overwhelmingly positive.
Winter 2012 / NEW MEXICO National Guard 11

12 NEW MEXICO Minuteman / Winter 2012

Making the Rank:
Two NMNG females promoted to sergeant major
By Sgt. Suzanna Dominguez, State Public Affairs NCO
Two of New Mexico’s senior female master sergeants were
recognized for their hard work and dedication to the New Mexico
National Guard when they were promoted in front of family, friends
and other Guard members to the rank of sergeant major Oct. 14,
2011, at the Regional Training Institute in Santa Fe.
Sgt. Maj. Melanie Suazo, Military Personnel sergeant major,
was pinned by her husband Ken Suazo and son Spc. Kris Ortega;
and Sgt. Maj. Karen Martin, Recruiting and Retention sergeant
major, was pinned by her husband Shannon Martin, son Dakota
Martin and Command Sgt. Maj. Alex Garcia, Recruiting and Retention
command sergeant major.
Suazo, a Canjilon native, enlisted in the New Mexico National
Guard in March 1988 as a private.
Suazo, who has dedicated more than 23 years to the National
Guard and has more than 22 years active duty service, offered
advice to lower enlisted Soldiers, “I believe when facing great
challenges, have faith in yourself, and all will turn out the way it’s
meant to.”
Martin, a Belen native, enlisted in the New Mexico National
Guard in April 1995 after serving six years on active duty. She has
dedicated over 22 years of military service, including 16 years to the
National Guard.
“I would like to thank my family for their support throughout
my 22 years of military service,” said Martin. “I especially want
to thank my parents, Eloisa and Candelario Padilla, for instilling
in me the value of hard work and perseverance
that will always make you successful in any
undertaking.”
During the promotion ceremony the accomplishments
of both sergeants major were
acknowledged by their peers as they were
accepted into their new rank.
“Both sergeants major will add experience
and knowledge to the senior NCO ranks,” said
Sgt. Maj. Brenda Mallary.
After the retirement of Sgt. Maj. Fatima Berry
in June 2010, Mallary and Sgt. Maj. Elizabeth
Bryant were the only two female sergeants major
in the New Mexico Army National Guard.
“With the limited number of females in the E9
ranks, this will defi nitely give us more of a voice,”
said Mallary. “I am looking forward to working
with both of them.”
As senior NCOs, Suazo and Martin will continue
to have great infl uence across the New
Mexico National Guard and continue to mentor
enlisted females and inspire women throughout
the military.
Spc. Kris Ortega pins sergeant major rank to Sgt. Maj. Melanie Suazo’s cap
during her promotion ceremony October 14, 2011 at the Regional Training
Institute in Santa Fe, N.M. Suazo is the Military Personnel sergeant major
and Ortega’s mom.
Sgt. Maj. Karen Martin, Recruiting and Retention sergeant major, is pinned by her husband
Shannon Martin October 14, 2011 at the Regional Training Institute in Santa Fe, N.M.
Winter 2012 / NEW MEXICO National Guard 13

By Chief Warrant Offi cer David Burrell
Company C, 1st Battalion, 171st Aviation (DUSTOFF), deployed
to Helmand province, Afghanistan, in June 2011. The unit consists
of three platoons from New Mexico, one platoon from Arizona and
one from Minnesota. Led by Maj. Christopher Holland and 1st Sgt.
Charles Bouyer, the company provides UH-60 Black Hawk medical
evacuation coverage throughout Regional Command Southwest.
The company and its assets are distributed among four forward operating
bases to provide immediate response when a call is received.
On average, DUSTOFF crews launch in less than nine minutes once
a call comes in. To date—July-October 2011—the company has
fl own more than 800 missions.
The helicopter crew is composed of four crewmembers—two
pilots, one crew chief and one medic. The pilots are experienced
in combat maneuvers to avoid enemy fi re. They also are trained to
land and take off in extremely heavy dust—“brown-out”—conditions
at the point-of-injury pick-up zones.
The fl ight medics, many of whom are nurses, fi remen or policemen
in their civilian careers, are the lifeblood for our wounded Soldiers,
14 NEW MEXICO Minuteman / Winter 2012
Soldiers from Company C, 1st Battalion, 171st
Aviation (DUSTOFF) pose next to a UH-60
Blackhawk in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
Chief Warrant Offi cer Jose Moreno and Chief Warrant Offi cer Christopher
Toledo build a pull-up bar for members of Company C, 1st Battalion,
171st Aviation in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

Sgt. Kurtus Tenorio and Spc. Mark Edens, mechanics, work
on a UH-60 Blackhawk in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
Marines, Airmen and Seamen. They provide
quick medical assessments at the
POI, sometimes under hostile conditions;
then they provide medical care aboard
the helicopter while en route to the medical
treatment facility. Imagine providing
emergency medical care to a severely
injured casualty in a roller coaster. That is
similar to what the medics experience in
the cabin of a UH-60 Black Hawk operating
in a combat zone. After the helicopter
lands at the medical treatment facility,
the fl ight medic provides the doctors
and nurses with vital information on the
patient’s medical status.
The crew chief is also a critical member
of the helicopter crew. They provide the
pilots guidance on landings, takeoffs,
operation and maintenance of the UH-60
helicopters. Company C did not deploy
with the traditional maintenance platoon;
thus the crew chiefs serve two roles—one
as crew member and the other as helicopter
mechanic. Black Hawk helicopters
are complex aircraft, and under the best
of conditions each one requires several
man-hours of maintenance for each hour
of fl ight time.
In Helmand province, Company C’s
maintenance crews face additional challenges,
including the fi ne “moon dust”
that seems to be everywhere. The fi ne
dust coats the entire aircraft, and many
helicopter components therefore wear
out much faster than they would under
normal fl ying conditions. The result is that
maintenance personnel must work long
hours to keep the fl eet of medevac helicopters
fl ying. In spite of the challenges,
Company C has always been able to provide
a suffi cient number of fl yable aircraft
to provide medevac coverage throughout
its area of operations.
Chief Warrant Offi cer Patrick
Magill reads a letter from home.
Integral to the
success of the
DUSTOFF mission
are the “fl ight operations”
personnel.
They monitor the battlefi eld and communicate
with higher headquarters, medical
treatment facilities, and supported units.
They also provide fl ight crews with critical
information by secure radio within a matter
of seconds and coordinate the smooth fl ow
of casualties throughout the battlefi eld.
Company C, 1-171 Aviation, has been
providing medical evacuation coverage 24
hours a day, seven days a week, at four
A UH-60 Blackhawk is positioned at the end of the day.
Photos: Sgt. Amanda Montoya, Company C. 1st Battalion, 171st Aviation (DUSTOFF)
An air drop resupply delivers supplies to
Soldiers in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
separate locations since arriving in Afghanistan
in June 2011. Many U.S. and allied
service members, and Afghan civilians can
credit their lives to the quality of service
and fast response time Company C has
provided. The Soldiers of Company C take
great pride in the
service they provide
to their comrades
on the battlefi elds of
Helmand province.
Spc. Jesse Ochoa
waits for the blades
on a UH-60 Black
Hawk to start turning.
Winter 2012 2012 / NEW NEW MEXICO National Guard 15

Multipurpose protectors:
military police serve many roles, functions
By Spc. John A. Montoya
CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo – The 126th Military Police
Company is an integral part of the Kosovo Forces 14 rotation
on Camp Bondsteel. These MP Soldiers, based in Albuquerque,
help keep the base secure with personnel and equipment when
they are out in the fi eld.
The military police have many different duties and tasks
assigned to them, all centered on keeping the Soldiers and
civilian employees safe and secure here on Bondsteel and
throughout Kosovo. The 126th provides Soldiers to the Provost
Marshal’s Offi ce and the command group’s Personal Security
Detachment. They also perform other security details such
as security escorts for convoys, site security, event security,
monetary escorts and securing vehicle breakdowns outside of
Camp Bondsteel, said 1st Lt. Winston Holyan, offi cer in charge
of the 126th Military Police.
“We’re kind of an all-purpose force. We cover anything that
needs protection, essentially,” Holyan said.
Although many Soldiers may see only the military police
performing the more mundane tasks such as the continuous
vehicle patrols around Bondsteel, they must also stand ready for
any security issue which may arise. Master Sgt. Lacey Macias,
noncommissioned offi cer in charge of the 126th, admits the
vehicle patrols are one of their most routine and boring tasks,
but he says there are many occasions where he gets his Soldiers
moving at a moment’s notice and has them working on a
security assignment on or off Bondsteel.
16 NEW MEXICO Minuteman / / Winter 2012
Being fl exible and capable of taking on different assignments
and tasks is almost a prerequisite for being a good MP Soldier,
which helps explain the other acronym which is often affi xed to it.
“MP also stands for multipurpose,” said Macias.
Any movement, any action, any crisis calls upon the military
police to provide security; whether that be securing a convoy on
the road to another camp or simply providing routine escort for a
food delivery to the dining facility, said Holyan.
The military police are very visible and they actively make their
presence known when needed. They are also behind the scenes
and may be involved in things that aren’t normally thought of
as police responsibilities. Every time Soldiers eat on Bondsteel,
handle physical cash or fi ll up their vehicle, somewhere along the
way, the military police provided security to make those things
possible in a safe and secure manner.
“Anything that comes onto Bondsteel needs to be escorted,”
said Macias.
In addition to handling all the different aspects of security of
personnel and materiel, military police enforce basic law and
order on Bondsteel, which ranges from traffi c policing to enforcing
command policy. One of the most frequent issues the MPs deal
with is people jogging off the track while wearing headphones,
which is against post policy.
Soldiers of the 126th continue to perform their daily police work
and remain fl exible and ready for any situation which needs their
security expertise.

MOUT training comes to Camp Bondsteel
By Spc. Evan Lane,
CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo – The
shoot house at Camp Bondsteel, months
in the making, is now open for business.
Combat Arms Training Company Soldiers,
under the direction of Master Sgt. Jesus
Holguin, worked with Kellogg, Brown and
Root employees to convert unused space
into a Military Operations in Urban Terrain
training space.
“Sgt. [Michael] Carson really spearheaded
this thing,” said Holguin. “He
developed the fl oor plan, wrote the training
and safety SOPs, and kept pushing to get it
up and running.”
The training is based on techniques
perfected over the past decade by Soldiers
in theater. MOUT specialists from the 2nd
Ranger Battalion shared their expertise with
CAT-C trainers who in turn instructed members
of Multinational Battle Group East.
Instructors walk Soldiers through the
basics of team movement, safety and
security, and how to enter different types of
rooms. Following that, the Soldiers are then
given several opportunities to work through
the area “dry” or without simulation rounds.
Safety is key, said Staff Sgt. Jose
Astorga, CAT-C instructor. The simulated
rounds are less than lethal, but at the close
ranges MOUT students operate in, they still
pose a hazard.
During the dry runs, Soldiers become
comfortable with the communication necessary
to effectively clear rooms of enemy
combatants.
Once the instructors feel that they are
ready, the students are issued simulation
ammunition, and go through the shoot
house under instructor supervision.
“The “sim” rounds were not easy to
come by, taking months to acquire, but it’s
worth it,” said Carson.
Throughout each training session, the
Soldiers refreshed themselves and began
running through the exercises confi dently,
properly acquiring targets and avoiding
noncombatants until, by the end of the
day, each Soldier remembered how to
successfully work MOUT situations as part
of a team.
Lt. Gen. Edward Baca (Ret.)
presented National Guard Bureau’s
Lifetime Achievement Award
Gen. Craig McKinley, Chief, National Guard Bureau, presents the
Chief, National Guard Bureau Lifetime Achievement Award to Lt. Gen.
Edward Baca (Ret.), Former Chief, National Guard Bureau, during
the 2011 Joint Senior Leadership Conference in Oxon Hill, Md. on
Nov. 8. McKinley initiated the Lifetime Achievement award program
to recognize retired senior leadership based on their lifetime commitment
to the National Guard mission. Photo: Tech. Sgt. Melissa E. Chatham
Winter 2012 2012 / NEW NEW MEXICO National Guard 17

Building legal relations with local law
enforcement helps move Kosovo forward
By Spc. Evan V. Lane
To work effectively, Kosovo Forces must know of dangerous
and infl ammatory situations cropping up throughout Kosovo.
The Soldiers of the Joint Law Enforcement Liaison Team of Multinational
Battle Group East work hard to keep KFOR informed so
that operations can stay relevant to the challenges Kosovo faces.
“Our primary focus is maintaining a relationship that facilitates
information fl ow between the battle group and law enforcement,”
said Sgt. Major David Wade, noncommissioned offi cer in charge
of the JLELT.
Wade builds those relationships between the battle group and
many different law enforcement entities operating in Kosovo.
“We work closely with the International Criminal Investigative
Training Assistance Program, members of the European Union Rule
of Law mission, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in
Europe, the Kosovo Border Police which are tasked with patrolling
Kosovo’s borders, and the Kosovo Police themselves,” he said.
Wade, who retired from the Albuquerque Police Department in
New Mexico with over a decade of service as a street offi cer and
the remainder as a major crime scene investigator, brings invaluable
experience and assets to the JLELT.
“Sergeant major, being a former police offi cer, is on the spot,”
said Lt. Col. Charles Montoya, the offi cer in charge of the JLELT.
18 NEW MEXICO Minuteman / Winter 2012
“I was really fortunate to have him here. Law enforcement guys
bond, and he knows how best to talk with his counterparts in the
various services.”
Wade said he is seen as someone with whom law enforcement
offi cers have a lot in common.

“That commonality and professionalism helps them be more forthcoming
with information,” added Wade.
Reports fl ow to Wade’s desk from around the country. Everything from
purse snatchings to major riots is put together in fl ash reports by regional KP
stations and submitted to Wade for dispersion to the appropriate decision
makers within the battle group.
Policing entities have submitted almost 600 reports to Wade since March,
and with that volume, another part of his job is to determine what information
is pertinent to MNBG E’s operation. EULEX submits a dozen reports daily
and accounts for a large portion of the battle group’s information regarding
Kosovo’s daily events.
MNBG E’s vast area of responsibility requires more than just two people
to sort through this data infl ux. Capt. Paul Lauritzen and Sgt. 1st Class James
Bowman augment the JLELT staff to keep the workload manageable.
“They’ve done a kick-butt job,” said Montoya. “They certainly have their
hands full,” he said, noting that both Soldiers also work as members of the
Joint Implementation Commission.
These four Soldiers effectively manage a huge repository of timely information
and ensure that the essentials are made available so that KFOR
works effectively and appropriately within the country.
“What we do here is an important and integral part of the battle group,”
Montoya said. “We’ve proved how important we are time and time again,
and I think what we do has really paid off for everyone.”
The interaction between KFOR and local law enforcement has proven
to be an essential relationship in the mission to grow Kosovo into a fully
developed, self-governing nation. Multinational elements from throughout
Kosovo supply valuable information to the battle group so that Soldiers may
continue to be a helpful and appropriate asset in Kosovo’s growth.
Strong Bonds
By Beth Oakes, New Mexico National Guard Family Support Program
Strong Bonds is a chaplain-led program designed to help
couples strengthen their relationship with effective communication
strategies, confl ict resolution and ways to fi ght fairly so
that their relationship can survive diffi cult times such as deployment,
parenting issues, fi nancial stress and even infi delity.
The program is typically set up and run entirely by chaplains,
who present the pertinent salient information. However, in New
Mexico, the Family Program offi ce does the registration, setup
and hosting of the event and also provides a military family life
consultant to be available throughout the weekend for couples
who may be dealing with stressful issues in their relationship.
The weekend takes place in a resort hotel in order to provide
a relaxed, casual and romantic atmosphere for couples to get
away from the daily grind. By attending this workshop, couples
are able to work on their relationship in a safe and emotionally
secure training environment and learn how to build and maintain
a stronger family structure.
Team BTS competes at the
Duke City Marathon
The New Mexico National Guard Co-ed National
Guard Relay Team “Beyond the Standard” participated
in the annual Duke City Marathon Oct. 23, 2011
in Albuquerque, N.M. The BTS co-ed relay team consists
of fi ve team members; Col. Dennis Gallegos,
Col. Judy Griego, Senior Master Sgt. Gerard Garcia,
2nd Lt. Laura Martinez and Col. Tim Harmeson. Each
runner ran a 4.2 mile, 4.6 mile or 6.2 mile leg for a
26.2 mile course along the Bosque trail near the Rio
Grande River and posted a time of 4:07:47.
“Our team has been running together for over
10 years in 5k or 10k runs. We normally compete
against one another but the Duke City Marathon is
unique because we run as a team,” Griego, chief of
the joint staff.
The Duke City Marathon is among one of the
Adjutant General’s Beyond Strong Campaign events.
helps couples build
stronger relationships
The program began in 1999 with four events and 90 couples
in the 25th Infantry Division, Hawaii. It has now spread throughout
the active and reserve components.
In 2010, a survey was completed in the third year of a fi veyear
longitudinal study evaluating the outcomes of the Strong
Bonds program. It was found that for those who participated in
the program, there were 50 percent fewer divorces when compared
to those who did not participate. The group who participated
also reported an increase in marital satisfaction.
In Fiscal Year 2011, commanders from the active duty, the
National Guard and the reserves have planned more than 5,000
Strong Bonds events for Soldiers, members and units geographically
dispersed from military installations.
In New Mexico, the next Strong Bonds weekend will be held
in April 2012. Call your Family Program offi ce at 1-866-464-1822
for event dates, registration information and to get more
details.
Winter 2012 / NEW MEXICO National Guard 19

Family teams
strengthen bonds
Story and photos by Spc. Lucreita Wilcox, Task Force
Aviation Unit Public Affairs Representative
Thinking about deployments often leads to thoughts of families
being apart for long periods of time. Some deployed service
members are continents apart, but some are only miles apart.
Wherever they may be, families know they are lucky to have each
other. On the Kosovo Forces 14 deployment, there are three sets of
fathers and sons deployed together.
Staff Sgt. Michael Thomas Matheny and his son Spc. Michael
Thomas Matheny II are both from the 1-150th Aviation Air Assault
based in Wheeling, W. Va. Staff Sgt. Matheny is serving as a helicopter
mechanic as well as a team chief. Spc. Matheny is spending
the deployment as a fuel handler for UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters.
“It feels good to have my son around,” said Staff Sgt. Matheny.
“This is my one last time to spend quality time with him before he takes
off into the real world. My wife was happy at fi rst; then she realized we
were both gone. Then she started taking it hard. My son bought her a
dog before we left, so that’s helping her through.”
“My mom is sad but at the same time glad my dad is here to see
me go through things and to help me out,” said Spc. Matheny.
Both agree that the time they have spent here in Kosovo has gone
by fast, and the tour seems short because they are here together.
20 NEW MEXICO Minuteman / Winter 2012
Master Sgt. Theodore Robert Skibyak and his son
Spc. Theodore Robert Skibyak II take a look at
the latest technology gadget. Father and son have
learned from one another and continue that bond
while on deployment.
Staff Sgt. Jerry H. Mendez and his son, Sgt. Brian Joseph Mendez,
both members of the Liaison Monitoring Team during Kosovo
Forces 14 deployment say they enjoy spending time together and
are best friends.
Staff Sgt. Michael Thomas Matheny and his son Spc. Michael
Thomas Matheny II take a coffee break at Camp Bondsteel
together. The father and son said they are thoroughly enjoying
their deployment together.

Another father and son team is serving in the
111th Headquarters and Headquarters Company
based in Rio Rancho, N.M. Master Sgt.
Theodore Robert Skibyak and his son Spc.
Theodore Robert Skibyak II did not originally
plan to deploy together. Master Sgt. Skibyak
is serving as the deputy provost marshal on
Camp Bondsteel, while Spc. Skibyak is the
engineer noncommissioned offi cer in charge.
“This is not something we planned; it just
happened,” said Master Sgt. Skibyak. “I taught
my son everything I know about engines, and
now I’m learning from him.”
Spc. Skibyak said one of the reasons the
deployment is easier is because his dad is
here.
“I get along with my dad, so we being
deployed together works well,” said Spc.
Skibyak. “We have a lot of the same hobbies
and pastimes.”
Chatting over refreshments at the Camp
Bondsteel coffee shop, the Skibyaks were
reminiscing about home and the pastimes
they missed the most.
“We can’t wait to get home to the bikes,”
they said almost in unison.
“Not only am I here with my dad,
but he is also my best friend.”
– Sgt. Brian Joseph Mendez
Staff Sgt. Jerry Mendez and his son, Sgt.
Brian Joseph Mendez, are both members of
the Liaison Monitoring Team based in Roswell,
N.M. Staff Sgt. Mendez is serving with Team 3
and Sgt. Mendez is serving with Team 5.
“Not only am I here with my dad, but he is
also my best friend,” said Sgt. Mendez. “It’s
easier to have someone here that knows you
and who you can go to with problems.”
The elder Mendez echoed his son’s statement.
“I love being with my son. I love spending
time with him,” said Staff Sgt. Mendez. “It
has been an honor to have him here with me. I
would volunteer to go anywhere with him.”
They both agree their bond has grown
stronger since the start of the deployment.
Military families fi nd themselves on opposite
sides of the globe at times. For these three
teams of father and son service members,
military service is shared on this deployment.
They all left mutual loved ones at home but
are working hard while here and building
memories together to fi ll a lifetime. Wherever
they may be, deployed or not, they say they
are lucky to have each other.
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Winter 2012 / NEW MEXICO National Guard 21

At 4 a.m. March 9, 1916, the
border town of Columbus, N.M.,
was awakened by gunfi re and
shouts of “Viva Villa!” The United
States was being invaded by
Mexican military forces led by
Doroteo Arango, more widely
known by his adopted name of Francisco “Pancho” Villa. Villa had
been told the town would be guarded by only 30 Soldiers. Instead,
Villa’s men faced return gunfi re from the 330 men of the 13th U.S.
Cavalry. When the sun set in Columbus that day, 10 civilians and
eight Soldiers had been killed; two civilians and six Soldiers were
wounded. Mexican losses were 73 killed, 100 wounded and fi ve
captured and hanged.
In nearby Deming, 30 members of Company I, 1st New Mexico
Infantry, heard of the raid. Without being ordered, they made
their way to Columbus, arriving several hours later. The arrival of
the New Mexican Soldiers allowed the cavalry to pursue Villa’s
forces. Once the immediate threat of a return engagement by the
Mexicans subsided, the 30 men returned to Deming. All of New
Mexico’s units were then put on immediate alert.
President Woodrow Wilson ordered a partial mobilization of
the National Guard on March 11. More than 5,000 offi cers and
men from units in New Mexico, Texas and Arizona responded to
the call. On May 9, all of the state’s National Guard units were
mustered into federal service.
The 1st New Mexico Infantry
was stationed with the 2nd
Massachusetts Infantry. These
were the only National Guard
units attached to Maj. Gen.
John J. “Black Jack” Pershing’s
punitive expedition. Neither unit
crossed the border to join in the
22 NEW MEXICO Minuteman / Winter 2012
Lively Guard history:
fi ghting off Villa, border action
pursuit of Villa’s forces, but instead remained on the border as a
quick reaction force.
Battery A, 1st New Mexico Field
Artillery from Roswell arrived in Columbus
on May 12. This was the fi rst
National Guard fi eld artillery unit on
the border. The battery was ordered
to Fort Bliss, Texas, from Columbus
and arrived at its new station on June
19. The entire battery was attached to
the 6th U.S. Field Artillery. The training
the battery received while attached to
the 6th U.S. Field Artillery would prove
invaluable during the battery’s service
in World War I.
Among the honors Battery A performed while stationed
on the border were fi ring the offi cial salute over the body
of Maj. Gen. Frederick Funston as it passed through Fort
Bliss in funerary procession on its way to California and
fi ring the salute of honor for Pershing as he returned from
the punitive expedition.
As an expression of the appreciation the citizens of El Paso had
for Battery A, the citizens inaugurated “New Mexico Day,” observed
on March 19, 1917. The battery participated in reviews and
exhibition drills witnessed by New Mexico Governor William C.
McDonald, his staff, Pershing, and thousands of grateful El Paso
citizens. The celebration was the culmination of their time on the
border. On March 23, 1917, the battery was mustered out of federal
service and left for Roswell.
The 1st New Mexico Infantry was mustered out of federal active
duty during the fi rst week of April 1917. The training they received
and the hardships they endured prepared the New Mexico men
for service in World War I, when they were called up again on
April 21, 1917.

Resilience:
strength beyond the uniform
By Staff Sgt. Jason A. Henson, state resiliency coordinator
With our nation being at war for more
than 10 years, the stress on the force is
beginning to show. We are experiencing
increasing rates of substance abuse,
omestic violence, post-traumatic stress disorder,
depression and a whole litany of other
disturbing trends among service members
including increases in suicide rates. With all
of these issues plaguing our Soldiers, the
Department of the Army has founded the
Comprehensive Soldier Fitness program in
an effort to combat this epidemic.
So what exactly is CSF? Simply put,
CFS is a structured, long-term assessment
and developmental program to build the
resilience and enhance the performance of
every Soldier, family member and Department
of the Army civilian. What does this
mean for you and your Soldiers?
Resilience, at its simplest, is a comprehensive
skill set that will enable Soldiers to
thrive in all aspects of their lives by giving
them an increased ability to handle the
stresses of life, whether they are big or small.
Essentially, it is the ability to bounce back
from adversity. The resilience program is
not to be confused with suicide prevention;
however, you can think of the resilience program
as being preventive medicine against
suicide. The basic idea is the more resilient
the individual, the less likely he or she is to
fall into the trap of suicidal thoughts.
So how does it work? In order to build
an individual’s resilience, the resilience
program teaches the Soldier a number of
simple cognitive reasoning skills designed
to increase that individual’s resilience
and overall well-being.
For example, the “hunt the
good stuff” skill teaches
the individual a simple
daily exercise that involves
refl ecting on three good
things that happened in
that person’s life that day
and how he or she can
build upon those successes
to create “winning streaks.” The
premise is that by actively dwelling on
the positive events in our lives, no matter
how big or small, we can gradually build
up a signifi cantly more positive outlook on
life, which in turn, will increase our overall
success and happiness.
Other skills in the program address areas
such as interpersonal communication techniques,
personal strengths, problem solving,
and energy management. However, like
most areas of cognitive reasoning, you only
get out of it what you put in. For the program
to succeed, it is vital that senior offi cers and
noncommissioned offi cers work together to
establish a unit climate that promotes resilience
as a way of life versus another “check
the box” training requirement.
As of October, the R3SP program—
Resilience, Risk Reduction & Suicide Prevention—has
trained 30 resilience training
Assistants and six master resilience trainers.
These individuals are responsible for
conducting the National Guard Bureaumandated
quarterly resilience training in
every unit within the New Mexico Army
National Guard. Over the course of fi scal
year 2012, the R3SP program will be conducting
RTA training courses targeted at
any units that do not yet have their own RTA
or MRT. The goal is to have at least one RTA
in every unit/detachment, one MRT in every
battalion headquarters, and two MRTs in
every brigade headquarters. In addition to
the NGB-mandated resilience training, the
R3SP offi ce will also be offering a shorter
resilience training program during unit
annual trainings called “Flash
Forward,” and will develop
a “Resilience for Leaders”
course to be fi elded in
early 2012. For more
information about the
resilience program or
the suicide prevention
program contact Staff
Sgt. Jason Henson at
jason.henson@us.army.mil
or call 505-474-2162.
BEYOND STRONG
Winter 2012 / NEW MEXICO National Guard 23

NEWS BRIEFS
Wreaths Across America
Gov. Susana Martinez offi cially proclaimed
Dec. 10 as Wreaths Across
America Day in New Mexico. National
Guard Soldiers, veterans and community
members gathered at the state
Capitol rotunda as Martinez unveiled a
wreath on Dec. 6 to honor fallen members
of the military. Simultaneous wreath
unveilings took place at each state capitol
across the country as part of an initiative
by Wreaths Across America. The
wreath features fl ags from each branch
of the military and recognizes POW/MIA
designated service members.
In 2007, the Worcester family teamed
up with veterans and other groups to
form Wreaths Across America. The U.S.
Congress unanimously voted to establish
Wreaths Across America Day on
Dec. 13, 2008. Over 300 locations held
wreath laying ceremonies in each state
across the U.S, Puerto Rico and 24 overseas
cemeteries, in which over 100,000
wreaths were laid on veterans’ graves.
Last year, 220,000 memorial wreaths
were laid by volunteers at 545 locations.
The Wreaths Across America mission
is to Remember, Honor and Teach
about the service and sacrifi ces of our
nation’s veterans.
Azzalina earns top
recruiter honors
Photo: Clyde Mueller
By Sgt. 1st Class Henry Garciasalas
Staff Sgt. Ashley Azzalina was
named New Mexico’s top Recruiting
and Retention NCO of the Year for 2011.
Azzalina recruited the most recruits,
had the best ship rate and best overall
retention in the state.
24 NEW MEXICO Minuteman / Winter 2012
Staff Sgt. Ashley Azzalina poses with one of
her recruits, Pfc. Abigail Licea, who enlisted as
a high school junior in January 2010. Licea is
currently assigned as a military police to the
919th MP Company in Albuquerque, N.M.
In addition, Azzalina was awarded the
Top Recruiter Award from the Recruiting
and Retention Advisory Committee
Board held on Nov. 9, 2011. Azzalina
distinguished herself through untiring
review and rehearsals in preparation for
the RRAC V Challenge Board. Her enlistments,
100 percent ship rate, physical
fi tness, personal appearance, positive
attitude and interview skills were signifi -
cant contributors to her success.
Azzalina outperformed top recruiters
from Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana,
Nebraska, Missouri, Arkansas and
Kansas. Azzalina’s FY11 recruiting
statistics and being selected as New
Mexico Director’s 54 recipient qualifi ed
her to compete in this year’s challenge.
This achievement advances her to
compete at the national level representing
New Mexico at the Director’s
Strength Maintenance Award Ceremony
in Orlando, Fla. This is the fi rst
time in history of the competition that
a recruiter from New Mexico has been
recognized for this honor.
NMESGR fl ies employers
to D.C. for bosslift
By Capt. Elizabeth Foott, 200th Public
Affairs Detachment commander
The New Mexico Employer Support
of the Guard and Reserve sponsored
30 New Mexico employers to participate
in a bosslift to Washington D.C.
Oct. 26-28, 2011.
The purpose of the bosslift was to
acknowledge and thank the employers
for their efforts in hiring and supporting
Guard and Reserve members.
The employers were nominated by
current service members and NMESGR
personnel. The main criterion was
that those participating were veterans
themselves.
The bosslift included a fl ight from
Albuquerque, N.M., to Washington,
D.C., on a KC-135 tanker supplied
by the Arizona Air National Guard,
a luncheon hosted by the United
Carpenters Union and a banquet.
The following day, the group laid a
wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown at
Arlington National Cemetery.
Maj. Gen. Kenny C. Montoya, the
Adjutant General; Col. Brian Baca,
chief of staff; Col. Joel Harris, Operations
Group commander, and State
Command Sgt. Maj. Kenneth Adair
also attended the banquet and were
able to meet and speak with many
of the employers. During his speech,
Montoya thanked the employers for
their support of New Mexico service
members and asked for their continuing
support in employing those that
are coming back from deployment.
Other military representatives
included Lt. Cmdr. Damon Slutz of the
U.S. Navy Reserve.
Gary Kaiser, NMESGR program
support, said that the turnout for
this event was outstanding and that
he was grateful for the support that
Montoya, Baca, and Adair showed by
attending the event.
NMNG takes third at
Army Ten-Miler
By Chief Warrant Offi cer Jesse Espinoza,
Deputy Military Personnel Offi cer
The 2011 New Mexico National
Guard Army Ten-Miler team raced to
a third place fi nish at the 27th Annual
Army Ten-Miler in Washington, D.C.,
Oct. 9, 2011, competing against 22
other co-ed teams from across the
National Guard.
Members of the team were Chief
Warrant Offi cer Jesse Espinoza, team
captain; Col. Brian Baca, Maj. Michelle
Jaramillo, Sgt. 1st Class Darrick Coriz,

The New Mexico National Guard’s 2011 Army
Ten-Miler Team displays their third place fi nish
plaque. Team members are Spc. Jacobo
Hernandez, Officer Candidate Benjamin
Jensen, Maj. Michelle Jaramillo, Sgt. 1st
Class Darrick Coriz, Chief Warrant Offi cer
Jesse Espinoza and Col. Brian Baca.
Spc. Jacobo Hernandez and Offi cer
Candidate Benjamin Jensen.
The team’s third place fi nish refl ects
hard work that paid off. In preparation for
the Army Ten-Miler, team members had
to qualify with one of the fastest 10K race
times in the state. After being selected for
the team, members followed a 10-week,
340-mile training program, which
included long-distance runs, speed work
and dozens of miles running hills.
If you are interested in competing
in running events for the New Mexico
National Guard (e.g., Marathon Team,
Army Ten-Miler) contact Jesse Espinoza
at (505) 474-1249 or jesse.espinoza@
ng.army.mil.
Kirtland honors
POWs, MIAs
By Danny Monahan,
377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
Six members from the 150th Maintenance
Squadron supported Team
Kirtland’s 24-hour vigil run on Thursday,
Sept. 15, 2011, to honor American men
and women who have been prisoners
of war or are missing in action.
The event was a prelude to the
National POW/MIA Recognition ceremony
held on Friday, Sept. 16, 2011, at
the New Mexico Veterans’ Memorial on
Louisiana Boulevard.
The command chiefs on Kirtland Air
Force Base coordinate the event each
year. Volunteers participating in the
event run in 15-minute increments as
individuals or groups and may sign up
for multiple increments.
Volunteers from Kirtland started the
vigil run at 9:30 a.m. and kept the POW/
MIA fl ag in motion around Hardin Field
at Kirtland until 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 16,
2011, when it was delivered via a mass
running formation to the New Mexico
Veterans’ Memorial for the ceremony.
According to the Defense Prisoner of
War and Missing Personnel Offi ce, more
than 83,000 Americans are missing from
World War II, the Korean War, the Cold
War, the Vietnam War and the Gulf War.
The fi rst National POW/MIA Recognition
Day was observed July 18, 1979.
Since 1986, National POW/MIA Recognition
Day is an annual event held the
third Friday in September. It is one of six
days throughout the year that Congress
has mandated the fl ying of the National
League of Families POW/MIA fl ag. The
others are Armed Forces Day, Memorial
Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, and
Veterans Day.
NMNG will celebrate
150th anniversary of
local Civil War battles
By Dr. David L. Geary, El Rancho de Las
Golondrinas Museum volunteer
The New Mexico National Guard
will participate in New Mexico’s largest
150th anniversary observance of
its Civil War battles May 5-6, 2012, on
200 acres south of Santa Fe among 34
historic structures at El Rancho de Las
Golondrinas living history museum.
Beginning in September 1861, thousands
of New Mexico citizen-Soldiers,
mostly Hispanic, rallied to the call to
arms of territorial Gov. Henry Connelly
to defend their homeland against an
invasion of Texas Confederates.
“Today’s New Mexico National Guard
carries on the tradition of defending
the homeland with its citizen-Soldiers
NEWS BRIEFS
serving in various combat and peacekeeping
operations, so it’s an honor for
us to honor those Soldiers from both
North and South – Americans all – who
fought in New Mexico 150 years ago,”
said Maj. Gen. Kenny Montoya, New
Mexico’s Adjutant General.
In a dramatic “old and new” honors
ceremony on May 5, at Las Golondrinas,
units of the New Mexico National Guard
will pass in review and salute Civil War
Union and Confederate re-enactors
from throughout the nation who will
gather to commemorate the Civil War
battles in New Mexico.
The commemoration at Las Golondrinas,
sponsored by the New Mexico
Civil War Commemorative Congress,
will feature skirmishes and battles with
muskets and cannon, tent camps,
exhibits, songs of the Civil War, candlelight
tours, a military ball for re-enactors,
and other living history events.
In addition to the New Mexico National
Guard, the National Park Service’s Fort
Union National Monument and Pecos
National Historical Park, the state of New
Mexico, Las Golondrinas and others are
helping the New Mexico Civil War Commemorative
Congress plan the event.
Admission is free for National Guard
Soldiers and their immediate families.
NGAUS offi cer conference
moves to fall
The National Guard Association of the
United States held its fi rst annual Offi cer
Fall Festival Oct. 15-16, 2011, at Buffalo
Thunder Resort and Casino. The NGAUS
Executive Council put on the Fall Festival
event as a trial run to possibly move the
spring event to the fall.
“People’s spring schedules are busy,
and that makes it diffi cult to attend the
annual spring conference,” said Col.
Judy Griego, chief of the joint staff. “The
fall event was a great success, and I
want to thank everyone who contributed
and participated in this event.”
Save the date. Next year’s NGAUS
Offi cer Conference is scheduled for Sept.
30 through Oct. 1, 2012, at the Buffalo
Thunder Resort and Casino in Santa Fe.
Winter 2012 / NEW MEXICO National Guard 25

Revving up for the
Soldiers focus on
upcoming mission
During the past decade, the Adjutant
General, Maj. Gen. Kenny C. Montoya,
has deployed thousands of New Mexico
Guardsmen, not only around our state,
but around the world for various combat
and peacekeeping missions.
Approximately 400 Soldiers from
the New Mexico Army National Guard
are now gearing up for a Multinational
Force Observer mission established
over 32 years ago. Soldiers will be
heading to the Middle East to operate
checkpoints, run reconnaissance
patrols, and man observation posts
along international boundaries.
Since receiving notice, Soldiers
from the 1st Battalion, 200th Infantry,
and the 919th Military Police Company
have been vigorously preparing for
their upcoming deployment. Along with
the required pre-deployment training,
the battalion staff has taken additional
steps to ensure the best training for its
Soldiers. In addition to the Pre-mobilization
Training Assistant Element, a
home station training required before
mobilization, Soldiers could take part
in additional leadership and tactical
instructions exclusive to the mission.
Due to the unique mission, Soldiers
participated in additional training such
as the light leaders course, rifl eman’s
course, military decision making process
and a command post exercise.
Soldiers required to perform additional
duties attended courses pertaining to
their additional duty in lifeguard training,
food handler course, sling load
training or the mail handler course.
Training kicked off in June when
the leaders from every company
came together to complete PTAE. The
training lasted two weeks and was
instructed by the New Mexico National
26 NEW MEXICO Minuteman / Winter 2012
By 1/200th Infantry Battalion Public Affairs Offi ce

Middle East:
Guard’s Combat Arms Training Company. It took approximately two
months to get all fi ve deploying companies through the training.
“During 613th PTAE, Soldiers had time and great instruction to
revisit and hone their individual basic soldiering skills,” said 1st Sgt.
Ernie Nevarez, fi rst sergeant for the 613th Forward Support Company.
“PTAE and CATC instructors gave us an opportunity to knock the dust
off our warrior skills.”
While attending PTAE, Soldiers were required to successfully
complete Army warrior tasks and Army warrior battle drills including
land navigation, combat life saving skills, military operations in urban
terrain, squad level tactics, advanced individual weapons training,
hand to hand combat training, communications training and other
basic warrior tasks and drills.
“The trainers were knowledgeable in their respective areas. They
were able to expand on the skills of some Soldiers and introduce new
TTPs (tactics, techniques, and procedures) to others,” said Sgt. 1st
Class Richard George, platoon sergeant, 919th MP Company.
After each company rotated its Soldiers through PTAE, they began
to focus on individual training for each Soldier. Squad and team
leaders were encouraged to attend individual leadership and skill
enhancement courses.
One course that targeted squad and team leaders was the rifl eman’s
course. According to Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Riley, 1/200th
Battalion command sergeant major, the rifl eman’s course is an intense
carbine pistol course designed to signifi cantly improve weapon
handling and fi ring skills.
“Each Soldier shot about 2,000 rounds,” said Riley. “It was very repetitive,
but they left the course with far more knowledge and confi dence in their
weapon handling and fi ring skills.”
The training was co-taught by CATC and the Albuquerque Special
Weapons and Tactics team and lasted fi ve intense days. They focused on
basic and advanced small arms skills including advanced weapon movement
techniques.
The leadership was given the opportunity to participate in training events
pertinent to the mission as well. These included the military decision making
process and command post exercise. Both courses were instructed by National
Guard Bureau and members of the 1st Army Division from Camp Atterbury.
The MDMP was a weeklong course establishing procedures for developing
and comparing courses of action for various missions—in the process,
selecting the best course of action by following a seven-step process and
working together to understand the situation and mission from every section
within the battalion.
“The commander’s intent for the MDMP was for the staff to get together
and synchronize their combined efforts as a well-oiled machine. I believe we
met that intent,” said Maj. Troy Chadwell, executive offi cer for the 1/200th
Infantry Battalion.
The CPX is a course that prepared the 1/200th staff and deploying companies
on the proper reporting procedures between the companies and
staff members. During the CPX, executive offi cers from each deploying
company and TOC staff were educated on the proper reporting procedures
for each incident or event that took place in the exercises. All exercises and
scenarios were based on real-world events that have taken place during the
ongoing mission.
Winter 2012 / NEW MEXICO National Guard 27

Do we really need SAFETY?
By Chief Warrant Offi cer Del Medina, State Safety Specialist
The New Mexico National Guard is all about successfully completing
the assigned mission. Every mission or task undertaken has
its associated hazards. If we fail to incorporate safety and composite
risk management into everyday tasks or events, both on and
off duty, we leave ourselves open to those hazards. The result of
ignoring safety leads to injuries, destruction of equipment, and in
the worst case, fatalities of our service members and employees.
Leaders at all levels are responsible for the safety and welfare of
the personnel entrusted to their care. It is our responsibility to instill
safety awareness at all times and for every task. Set the example!
Soldiers must also take responsibility for their own safety. Commanders
and leaders cannot be at a Soldier’s side 24/7. This is
where the self-discipline we have learned as members of the military
comes into play. Historically, the majority of our accidents take
place in an off–duty status. Why is it that we can do so many things
right when in uniform, but totally forget or choose to ignore the
standards we live by once we drive out the gate? All of us need
to continue the effort of transferring our on-duty mindset to the
off-duty realm. Our whole life is all about the choices we make. We
are all adults and know right from wrong. It’s a choice we make
that results in high risk behavior. Lack of discipline kills Soldiers—
not POVs, motorcycles, ATVs or fi rearms.
Whether it’s on- or off-duty, the consequences of risky behavior
can be detrimental to both a Soldier’s career and their family
life. The loss of a Soldier or employee to an avoidable accident
impacts more than the New Mexico National Guard. It creates a
ripple effect that touches friends, family, community, mission, and
the entire military as a whole.
Safety starts at the top. Leaders must emphasize to subordinates
that they are serious about safety and will not turn a blind
eye to the total disregard of established standards. Commanders
are mission focused, and a solid safety program will help them
ensure safe and successful completion. We cannot hold Soldiers
to standards away from the military work environment, but we can
make them aware that we care for their welfare and their families,
and empower them to remember who they represent and what
standards and morals they are expected to live by.
SAFETY is a very necessary part of our daily lives. Anyone who
has ever worked in the civilian sector knows that safety is a number
one priority, and that employees are subject to job loss for violating
a safety standard. Why? An accident means loss of an employee,
having to train a new employee, reduction in productivity, paying
medical expenses, and replacing destroyed equipment. As leaders
at all levels, we know that Soldiers are our most valuable asset
and Soldier care is our number one priority. We can accomplish
this by staying engaged and never letting our Soldiers become
complacent. Embrace safety; continue the culture change that we
have begun, and it will pay big dividends in the long run for the
New Mexico National Guard.
Make SAFETY A PRIORITY this year. Be Proactive rather than
Reactive so that we can continue to accomplish our mission.
28 NEW MEXICO Minuteman / Winter 2012