New Mexico Minuteman - Spring 2012 - Keep Trees

La Montagne is new
director of staff at JFHQ
By Master Sgt. Paula Aragon
150th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Offi ce
Lt. Col. Michele La Montagne has been
selected to serve as the new director of
staff, Joint Force Headquarters. La Montagne
previously served for two years as
150th Fighter Wing inspector general.
She said she is looking forward to the
new challenge and a change in career.
Being selected for this new position gives
her the opportunity for new challenges,
growth, and learning, and she says she
is eager to make contributions to the staff
and the Guard as a whole.
With this position comes a new set of
duties and responsibilities for La Montagne.
She will serve as an advisor to the
Adjutant General, the assistant adjutant
general-Air, chief of staff and the 150th
Wing commander; and will provide counsel
for developing and coordinating all
programs, policies, and plans to ensure
the wartime and local response readiness
of the New Mexico National Guard.
One of the challenges she will face will
be to effectively perform her job duties and
provide the appropriate level of support to
10 NEW MEXICO Minuteman / Spring 2012
the command while serving as a drill status
Guardsman. The former director of staff
was a full-time employee and has transitioned
to another full-time position within
the NMNG. This is a challenge for any of
our “traditional” Guardsmen since they
have to meet all the military requirements
[i.e. ancillary training] while striving to be
profi cient in their job duties.
La Montagne’s drive and self-determination
keeps her stepping up, preparing for
new challenges, and prevents complacency
from ever settling in, she acknowledged.
“I have loved every job that I have held
in the Wing, and I don’t anticipate this
will be any different,” said La Montagne.
“Every job has its ups and downs, but
what counts is turning your obstacles into
opportunities. How could you not love a
job with countless opportunities?”
It is this kind of perseverance that has
made her career a success militarily as well
as in the private sector. She received her
commission via the U.S. Air Force Academy
in 1992 and was on active duty for eight
Jaramillo, 150th Maintenance Group
commander, pins on eagles
By Master Sgt. Paula Aragon
150th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Lt. Col. Daniel Jaramillo was promoted to colonel on Dec. 4, 2012,
at Kirtland Air Force Base, Albuquerque. With humbled refl ection
and enthusiastic forward vision, Jaramillo pinned on the eagles.
The 150th Maintenance Group commander’s promotion was
resonant with self-expressed gratitude and appreciation. His
gratitude and humility stem from the broad confi dence held by
his fellow Guardsmen. The enthusiasm of his forward vision was
clearly communicated from his commitment to duty, clarity of purpose,
and signature selfl ess nature. Jaramillo’s promotion, as well
as his entire career, is all about service—to the mission and his
fellow comrades in arms.
When asked about what this promotion means to him, the future,
and what mutual expectations he and his Airmen should have for
each other, Jaramillo provided simple, yet profound answers.
“What this promotion means to me,” said Jaramillo “is that
people trust me to serve them, meet the mission, and make
them successful.” He added, “this is simply an honor—the faith
and a half years. She left active duty in 2000
with the hope of becoming a member of the
NMANG. Her dream came true, and she
became a member of the 150th in 2001.
In the 150th, she was an aircraft maintenance
offi cer for several years before
serving as the IG. As for her ‘real’ life, she
works for The Bell Group/Rio Grande as a
business coach and is also very active in
sports and fi tness pursuits.
my superiors have
entrusted in me and
the confi dence my people have of me.”
In looking toward the future, he offered a passionate pledge and
a rousing challenge. “We have the fi nest people and most competent
professionals to meet this mission,” said Jaramillo. “This is
our future! We have to be the masters in our AFSCs (occupations),
duties, and the mission put in front of us, and our performance will
set the tone for the future of the 150th. I promise to provide a challenging
professional environment to our Airmen, and I expect them
to let me know when I am not.”
As promising and challenging as the future may be, Jaramillo
proudly proclaims that this promotion couldn’t have come to be
without all the excellent people who have supported him throughout
his military service. And to all the men and women of the 150th
Maintenance Group, he adds, “It is my honor and privilege to lead
and serve you!”