Life After NMMI Archives - Page 2 of 2

How NMMI Changed My Life

By: Cadet Nick Valentine
When I first stepped on post, I knew I was entering one of the most developmental chapters of my life yet. I was 16 years old, entering my junior year of high school, and to be honest I did not have a strong grasp of what I was doing at New Mexico Military Institute. The only real reason why I came was to better prepare myself for an appointment to one of the Service Academies, but I did not know how I was going to do that once I stepped into the cadet uniform.
There was a specific point in my time at the Institute when I realized my true purpose at NMMI, but it was long after my first steps as a Recruit at Training. It was when I looked in the mirror a few minutes before my high school graduation, dressed in my formal Summer A uniform as a Cadet 1^st Sergeant, one of the highest ranks a high schooler can achieve at the Institute. I was different, but in a positive way. I stood taller, I looked sharper, and I confidence in my path in life. I was a NMMI Cadet, and that something I have the honor of carrying with me for the rest of my life. The cool thing about that is, there is no one that will ever be able to take that away from me. I had found myself at the Institute, through the countless push-ups, vigorous academics, and most importantly the relationships I built at NMMI. I had tapped into wo I truly am.
Now, as a returning cadet at New Mexico Military Institute, I have carried that confidence I assumed during my high school years into my college career. I brought the momentum of finishing high school strong with me, and I have not let anything get in my way of finding more about who I am. That is what NMMI does for you, it opens a gateway into finding your true self. However, the choice is yours… Will you embark on the journey of an NMMI Cadet?

NMMI Named Most Beautiful Military School in the US

New Mexico Military Institute was recently named as the Most Beautiful Military School in the US by militaryschooler.com. Thank you to all cadets, alumni, parents, families, friends, and all others, who took the time to vote.

Photo Credit: Kirsten Alton

NMMI Snapchat Q&A Feb.16 6-8PM MST

Thinking about coming to NMMI but have a few questions before you do?
Join us for a Snapchat Q&A–on NMMILife!

Snap our cadets and admissions team on February 16 from 6-8PM MST (8-10PM EST)
Not sure what to ask us?
Here are a few questions to get you started!

What is life on campus like?
Do I have to wear a uniform?
What is there to do in Roswell?
What are the facilities like?
What is your average class size?
What’s the best thing to do on campus?
What kind of clubs are there?
What athletics teams are there?
What’s it like having HS and Junior College at the same school?
Do you get homesick?
What’s the food like?

Are you an admitted student ready to join us in the fall? You can SNAP us, too!

What should I pack?
What should I NOT pack?
How do I get a job on campus?
How strict are the rules?
What’s it like being a Recruit At Training (RAT)?
What are good care packages?
How do you stay in touch with your parents?
What are the best clubs?
Can I bring a car to campus?

We’re ready to answer these and any other questions you might have.
Add us on Snapchat @NMMILIFE and join us Feb 16 6:00-8:00PM MST for our Snapchat Q&A!

True Brothers at NMMI

By Cadet Diego Salido
The first year at NMMI is different for everyone. It is hard because is like nothing we have ever done. It is fun because it is when we find friends in our weakest moments. It is a lot of things, but for me, it was special.
The main reason of why my “RAT” year was special is because I never felt away from home; this was because I literally had family here with me. My older brother was a Sergeant Major, in charge of the discipline of over 200 people– while I was a recruit, the lowest rank in the corps and someone who only had to worry about myself.
My brother taught me everything I needed to know to succeed in this place. He even tried to teach me a lot of things before I came but I just wouldn’t listen to him, and I still regret it. He got me ready for most of the obstacles that I could face here at NMMI. He warned me about RAT week and how challenging it was going to be–omitting some of the details and giving me some surprises. When he refused to help me with something it was only to make me stronger and more independent, because he was trying to guide me rather than carrying me through the whole process of learning at the Institute.
His presence also improved me because he just kept pushing me (or made me push) to perfection. He would not stand catching me doing the wrong thing or wearing my uniform incorrectly. He expected me to set the example for my friends and to have more discipline than the others. I worked hard to prove that I could be the person he expected me to be. The best thing is that our relationship as brothers got stronger. Even if we didn’t talk a lot because of the rules and because of our different schedules, we knew we had each other for whatever we needed.
This year, as a yearling and a Platoon Sergeant, I try to follow his example and I still carry with me all his advice. I work hard every day to make him proud even when he is studying back home.

What it meant to be a RAT (Recruit At Training)

By: Juan Garcia Gutierrez

One of the main reasons why I came to NMMI was that I wanted to become independent. At the age of fifteen, I thought I could live and take care of myself. Your reason for coming to New Mexico Military Institute does not really matter. What really matters is your motivation to strive for the best and achieve the goals you set for yourself because at the end, you are your own biggest challenge at the Institute.
During your RAT period at NMMI, the worse thing to do is to take something for granted. There are, without a doubt, struggles along the way that will ultimately make you become stronger. One of the main struggles about being a RAT is being away from home. Even if you live in town! Having to learn all of the customs and traditions of the Institute is also a struggle. The most important thing to do that people struggle the most on is most definitely following the rules. The first time you get your Blue Book, which is the document with all standards and rules to follow, you will be very impressed about all the little things that you are not allowed to do that most likely did at home without even thinking. It might seem hard to memorize all the content, but doing it will definitely make your stay at NMMI a lot better!
Along with the struggles at NMMI comes military instruction. This instruction starts from verbal warnings all the way to marching in a rectangle. Everybody makes mistakes along the way because those are part of the learning process. Every single RAT that comes in is like a baby that is learning how to walk and speak. Breaking rules the first twenty-one days is normal and usual. Your cadre, the corps leaders in charge of you, are the ones in charge of coaching and mentoring the RATs to the point where they become “New Cadets” and are able to make the right decisions at the right time for the right purpose. The struggles you overcome help you become a stronger cadet, more organized and with better time management. A piece of advice I have for new incoming RATs is to be respectful at all times, know your place in the chain of command (THE VERY BOTTOM!), and understand that although the person telling you what to do might be younger in age, he/she is wiser in knowledge of the school.
The twenty-one day period changed me in a huge way. By following the rules and keeping my mouth shut when I needed to, I did not even notice that I became a more organized and sharp individual. The twenty-one day period is critical because you absorb information almost the entire day. Classes do not start until two weeks inside training. It is of high importance that RATs pay attention to detail and try learning everything they can during that period because it will help them survive at NMMI. I did and I’m prouder for it!

Spring Break Has a Better Taste

By Carlos Xibelle

After working hard in academics, the corps of cadets, and sports for three straight months, the cadets get a break to rest. During these three months, cadets work hard to improve day by day to become better in all areas. A time for rest must come. Spring Break is the time of the year when we go home and enjoy our family and vacations. Spring Break for cadets at NMMI has a better taste. Teachers from school tell cadets that they must work very hard in order to graduate. They must sacrifice their free time in order to read and research, yet when spring break comes they will enjoy it much more. After all my hard work we finally got to Spring Break. My vacation was great. I went to the beach and enjoyed my family and friends. Being at the Institute we sacrifice being away from home, parents, and friends. These sacrifices make us better people because not everybody is willing to sacrifice these things at an early age. When spring break comes, we get to enjoy it like nobody else. I like spending time with my family since I don’t get to see them too often. I like to have fun and enjoy everything I can before going back to the institute. When the time comes to go back, I will put in all the work I need to finish strong.

Archive for category: Life After NMMI

Go Beyond!