Lt. Colonel Raul V. Garcia, Detachment Commander for the UNM Air Force ROTC, was recently recognized by the U.S. Air Force for his outstanding service to the United States via the “The Meritorious Service Medal.” The medal is a prominent honor awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who distinguish themselves through outstanding non-combat meritorious achievement or service to the United States.
When Garcia was notified he was being awarded the medal, he was given the choice of where he wanted to receive the medal, Kirtland Air Force Base or the University of New Mexico. Garcia chose the University where he could accept it in the presence of UNM Air Force ROTC staff and students.
“I was honored when he called and asked me if I would present the medal to him on the UNM Campus,” said Capt. Ron Kennedy from the UNM Navy ROTC. “The fact that he chose to receive the award at UNM shows the great commitment Raul has for his students.”
Armed with medal and certificate in hand, Kennedy waited while the class filed in for the first order of business that day. Garcia stood in front of the AFROTC class and listened to Technical Sergeant Jennifer Padilla read aloud the official list of accomplishments Garcia achieved while serving at Kirtland Air Force Base from Mar. 2005 to Jan. 2009.
“Colonel Garcia superbly managed 140 flight instructors and evaluators, executing 4,084 flying hour program to train over 550 MC-13P/H and HC-130P students in 11 crew positions for 4 major commands,” the certificate reads.
“He instructed 47 students and volunteered for deployment to Afghanistan where he was the operations officer for police development. He led flying operations for the search and rescue of downed aircraft on four different occasions, saving two lives,” it reads among other accomplishments.
Following the reading, Capt. Kennedy pinned the medal on Lt. Col. Garcia and presented him with the framed certificate and Garcia addressed the students, “You bloom where you’re planted,” he said. “I encourage all of you to do the same.”
Media Contact: Carolyn Gonzales, (505) 277-5920; e-mail: cgonzal@unm.edu