New Mexico Minuteman - Summer 2011 - Keep Trees

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A message from the Adjutant General Recently, I asked the offi cers from Onate Complex to meet for PT with me every day for two weeks. Those that know me well, like Col. Paul, become inquisitive, understanding that this probably has nothing to do with PT, and he is right. We have been at war for nine years. Together we accomplish more than anyone will ever be able to remember. I am so proud of our offi cers and how they lead, as well as how they follow. Remember when you took your “oath” and not really understanding what it meant? Now you do; you have done everything your country has asked and always went “Beyond the Standard.” We are starting to stabilize. We have fewer Soldiers in combat and because we are accustomed to such a high tempo, I think we may have a chance to sit back and talk about what we’ve done and how great we are. That would be nice, but that is not who we have chosen to be. We are offi cers, leaders and warriors. We must lead every day. Every day we must prove ourselves. We owe this to our fellow Americans, this enchanted state and especially to our Soldiers and Airmen that committed to follow us to the depths of Hades and back. I’ve seen the T-shirt that reads “It’s all about attitude.” And it is when offi cers are positive, consistent, fair, and communicate – everything falls in place. More importantly, their people have the same great attitude. This is a military organization; there is a chain of command that decides who can and who cannot belong to the team. As offi cers, you have that constitutionally given authority. But before you exercise it, ask yourself if it is the follower’s issue or the leaders’. When you were invited to join all the offi cers on the PT track for two Bottom line, Warrior Care is taking care of Soldiers, Airmen and families. When the call comes that our state or nation needs us, we must be prepared to answer the call with – “Yes, I am ready - we are ready!” From the moment we joined the service, we learned that everything we do can be covered by two very basic truths...we must accomplish the mission and take care of our troops. An essential part of taking care of our troops is to ensure they are always ready and resilient. Part of being ready and resilient is “Warrior Care.” Whether you’re at home or deployed, it must be a way of life, part of our own thought process on a daily basis. At the same time, we must remember “Warrior Care” is not just for our Soldiers and Airmen; it is for our families as well. As your state command sergeant major, I can tell you that “Warrior Care” and building resiliency for military members and families is constantly on the minds of your National Guard leadership. Caring for our National Guard members and their families has been a common, overriding concern for everyone. From my standpoint, and without question, every person associated with “Warrior Care” is committed to doing all they can to fi ght for resources and to ensure our Soldiers and Airmen get the BEST care possible…. and that includes 2 NEW MEXICO Minuteman / Summer 2011 weeks – How was your attitude? My attitude was great. Every morning I looked forward to being with all of you. I saw Chief Buhl giving his all and his face turning red. I saw Lt. Col. Romero’s smile with a constant great disposition. I witnessed loyalty in Lt. Col. Sedillo showing up every morning with bone spurs and blood clots. I saw 52-year-old Lt. Col. Warren leading the pack every day. I saw C12 pilots showing up without having to, knowing they are also covering Black Hawk duties. I know I have offi cers like Maj. Finch that will complete anything I ask and Maj. Gilcrease, who walked on at Airborne school a day after I made a comment that he wasn’t Airborne. I have Lt. Col. Nava, who overheard me say something and step in and state he would take care of it. I have brigade commanders who have proved to me they are sincere about their position and their Soldiers. I have great offi cers. You would not be here if I did not believe in you. Do you still believe in yourself? This is not just a good job. It is a profession with unyielding responsibility. It is a challenge without glory (most of the time). It is exhausting and time consuming. It is noble, honorable and very rewarding. It does not matter if you are an AGR, traditional or technician. What matters is that you’re an offi cer: a New Mexico National Guard offi cer with a great legacy to live up to everyday. There is only one way to commit and that is all the way. What path will you choose to follow? This is your life; control your destiny. Beyond the Standard! What is Warrior Care? our National Guard Families. Hooah! I know you understand what Warrior Care and resiliency is all about. As Soldiers and Airmen, we must foster an environment and attitude of...“That’s my Soldier, that’s my Airman, that’s our family member and we are going to take care of them.” We leave no one behind – not on Maj. Gen. Kenny C. Montoya State Command Sgt. Maj. Kenneth Adair our watch. Warrior and family care is everyone‘s responsibility. In today’s environment, we cannot afford to let our guard down. Each and every one of our Soldiers, Airmen and family members are important. You are important – someone is relying and counting on you. The message to our people must be that they are important. We must always remind our Soldiers and Airmen that they are important to someone...a spouse, a father/mother, a brother/sister, a son or daughter, they’re important to their battle buddy or wingman. They are most defi nitely important to the National Guard family. Continue to tell our Soldiers and Airmen...they are important. Saying those simple words could actually save someone’s life. 15 by 15 Bataan Strong!
Colonels earn one star By Sgt. Suzanna Dominguez, State Public Affairs NCO, JFHQ Two of New Mexico National Guard’s senior colonels were promoted to brigadier general in March and April 2011. Brig. Gen. Paul Pena, deputy adjutant general for the state of New Mexico, had the honor of being pinned by Gov. Susana Martinez, governor of New Mexico, March 8, 2011, at the Regional Training Institute in Santa Fe, N.M. “My whole career I have been working toward becoming a general offi cer,” said Pena. “Many offi cers try to make general offi cer and not all make it. I feel very honored and humbled for this opportunity.” Pena, who took over for Brig. Gen. Jack Fox as the deputy adjutant general, fi rst joined the Army as a tactical vehicle mechanic in 1976. He spent three years on active duty before joining the Guard in 1979. During his 32 years of service in the National Guard, Pena has had the opportunity to serve in many different capacities to include chief of logistical cell while deployed to Iraq in 2004-2005, commander of Operation Jump Start in 2008 and the 93rd Brigade commander from 2008-2010. Pena said that his experience as a fi eld commander will play a big role in helping him fulfi ll his duties as the deputy adjutant general. Brig. Gen. Juan Griego, land forces component commander, Joint Force Headquarters, was pinned by his wife Philippa M. Sanchez, his two daughters, Marisa and Eliana, and his son John April 10, 2011, at the New Mexico National Guard’s Bataan Memorial Museum in Santa Fe, N.M. “I am truly honored and humbled to be given the opportunity to serve as a general offi cer in the New Mexico National Guard,” said Griego. “The ability to follow in the footsteps of the many great leaders that have made the New Mexico National Guard the institution that it is today, is truly an honor and privilege.” Griego enlisted in Detachment 1, Bravo Battery, 200th Air Defense Artillery, April 19, 1982. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant through the Army ROTC program at New Mexico State University in May 1984, as a Distinguished Military Graduate and assigned to the 642nd Maintenance Company in Las Cruces, N.M. During Griego’s 27 years of service as a commissioned offi cer, he has served as the maintenance staff offi cer, S-4, support operations offi - cer, and battalion executive offi cer, 515th Corps Support Battalion; maintenance staff offi cer, Headquarters State Area Command; assistant S-4 and operations offi cer, Headquarters, 93rd Troop New Mexico Army National Guard, Command; commander, 804th Quartermaster Battalion; assistant chief of staff for logistics, J-4, Joint Forces Headquarters – New Mexico, commander, Headquarters, 93rd Brigade New Mexico Army National Guard, deputy chief joint staff, Joint Forces Headquarters. “I have a majority of my operational experience in combat service support in the fi eld of multi-functional logistics,” said Griego. “I believe my CSS background and experience I gained as a staff offi cer at the battalion and brigade level prepared me well for participation in the transformation of the New Mexico National Guard force structure, transforming the way we prepared Soldiers and units for deployments post 9-11, and our actively contributing to the effectiveness in responding to various state and national domestic emergencies.” Griego said that in the next year he wants to ensure the successful deployment/ redeployment of the Army National Guard units scheduled for OCONUS missions in Kosovo, Afghanistan and the Sinai. “I want to be effective in establishing the role of the land forces component commander in overseeing the two operational brigades of the New Mexico Army National Guard. This will be the fi rst time that the New Mexico National Guard has an LCC that is responsible for the two operational brigades since the force structure transformation occurred and the 111th ADA Brigade was transformed to a Maneuver Enhanced Brigade,” said Griego. Griego is a traditional Soldier and is employed by the U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration in Newly promoted Brig. Gen. Juan Griego, land component commander for New Mexico, and State Command Sgt. Maj. Kenneth Adair unfurl the one star fl ag signifying Griego’s promotion to brigadier general. Gov. Susana Martinez pins the one star rank on Gen. Paul Pena, Deputy Adjutant General of New Mexico. Los Alamos, New Mexico, where he is currently serving as the assistant site manager for National Security Missions. Griego said his greatest supporters have been his family and the Soldiers he has had the privilege to serve with over the years. “From my initial entry in Det. 1, B. Btry 2-200th, to the 642nd Maintenance Company, 515th Maintenance and CSSBs, the 804th QM BN, the 93rd Troop Command and the JFHQ, I have only been able to accomplish the things in my career by earning the trust and respect of the Soldiers that I have served with, along with the support of my family,” said Griego. Summer 2011 / NEW MEXICO National Guard 3
Page 3: Governor Susana Martinez Bob Ulin P
Page 7 and 8: Cadre includes: Col. Michael Montoy
Page 9 and 10: GUARD HOSTS ANNUAL BATAAN FESTIVITI
Page 11 and 12: (Above) 1st Sgt. Charles Bouyer and
Page 13 and 14: By 1st Lt. Brian Raphael, 150th Fig
Page 15 and 16: JOINT AGENCY TRAINING By Sgt. Suzan
Page 17 and 18: The fi rst fi ve training scenarios
Page 19 and 20: AS ENERGY COSTS INCREASE, USE MUST
Page 21 and 22: CSM retires after 39 years of servi
Page 23 and 24: “ The 150th has always been good
Page 25 and 26: Service before Self: A way of life
Page 27 and 28: Summer 2011 / NEW MEXICO National G
Page 29 and 30: Pfc. Alfredo Salazar, C Company, 1s

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