Cadets receive scholarships
New and returning Air Force ROTC cadets got a quick history lesson from Lt. Col. Raul Garcia when he asked them if they knew how long UNM has had its Air Force ROTC Detachment 510. Students hazarded guesses between 20 and 40 years, but no one knew that UNM AFROTC celebrates its 60th anniversary this year.
“Air Force ROTC detachments are expected to produce 15 officers each year,” he said. He called upon a math major in the crowd to determine how many that would mean over 60 years. A cadet responded, “That would be 900, sir!” Garcia said that UNM has graduated more than that – nearly 1,000 officers have earned the rank of 2nd Lt. through the program, and many have gone on to provide exemplary service to the Air Force and the United States.
“Being in the cadet wing makes you part of something bigger than yourself,” he said.
Garcia also gathered the group to honor three cadets who earned merit-based scholarships from the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association. Heather Miller received a $1,000 scholarship, while Jason Radtke and Ophelia Sifuentes each received $250 scholarships. The scholarships are available nationally to ROTC students from all branches of the military.
ROTC cadets will participate in a flag football game against their counterparts from New Mexico State University on Saturday, Sept. 26, prior to the start of the Rio Grande Rivalry game.