New Mexico Minuteman - Spring 2012 - Keep Trees

NEWS BRIEFS
Eleven graduate from
motor transport course
By Sgt. 1st Class Douglas Mallary
HHC, 111th MEB
Command Sgt. Maj. Andy Maestas
of the 615th Transportation Battalion
delivered the commencement address
as 11 Soldiers graduated from the Motor
Transport Operator Reclassifi cation
Course at the Regional Training Institute
in Santa Fe on Feb. 3, 2012. The
graduates of Class 002-12 have now
met all requirements to be awarded the
military occupational specialty of 88M.
Maestas, a 38-year veteran, congratulated
the graduates for being able to complete
in four weeks what normally takes
seven weeks of training. He pointed out
that the Soldiers trained on a wide variety
of “some of the world’s most complex
and advanced equipment.” Maestas
reminded the newly qualifi ed operators
of the importance of safely driving and
maintaining their vehicles while remaining
accountable for their equipment and
cargo both on and off the road.
“Transportation personnel must
have the highest discipline,” Maestas
told the Soldiers. “You were chosen
to be here for a reason,” he added. To
illustrate his point, Maestas stressed
that the transportation of Soldiers and
cargo is critical to the success of ongoing
real-world missions.
Spc. Scott Dickson from New York
was selected as the honor graduate for
the class. Cpl. Johnny Stone of Texas
served as class leader. The other graduates
and their home states were Sgt. 1st
Class Wilton Acker, New Mexico (RTI);
Spc. John Arredondo, Texas; Spc. Jeffrey
Bates, Tennessee; Spc. Michael Baze,
Texas; Spc. Justin Grantham, Texas;
Spc. Korey Thompson, Wyoming; Spc.
Ernie Saiz, New Mexico (1116th Trans.
Co.); Staff Sgt. Cecil Shuman, Georgia;
and Staff Sgt. Docklure Stephanus, New
Mexico (RTI).
The offi cial party consisted of Maestas,
RTI Command Sgt. Maj. Matt
Aragon and Master Sgt. Reyes Marquez,
operations noncommissioned offi cer
for 2nd Battalion, 515th Regiment (RTI).
24 NEW MEXICO Minuteman / Spring 2012
Staff Sgt. Michael Romero served as the
master of ceremonies. Distinguished
guests included Brig. Gen. Paul Peña,
deputy adjutant general; Col. Brian Baca,
chief of staff; Col. Donnie Quintana, construction
and facilities management offi -
cer; Lt. Col. Anthony Leal, commander
of the 515th Combat Sustainment Support
Battalion; Lt. Col. Jamison Herrera,
state public affairs offi cer; 93rd Brigade
Command Sgt. Maj. James Rivera; Sgt.
Maj. Melanie Suazo, Joint Forces Headquarters
personnel sergeant major; and
1st Sgt. Eric Giles of the RTI.
New Mexico’s transportation companies
are normally assigned to the 615th,
but are presently under the 515th, as
members of the 615th will deploy to the
Sinai Peninsula in Egypt later this year.
ESGR fosters good
working relationships
between employers and
service members
By Capt. Eizabeth Foott
Commander, 200th Public Affi ars Detachment
When service members return from
deployment, many issues and concerns
may weigh on their minds: transition
from active back to inactive duty
training status, navigating the huge
paperwork jungle, and returning to or
fi nding employment.
A critical employment piece of the
Employer Support for the Guard and
Reserve program is advocating with
employers. This program initiative was
strongly emphasized on Military and
Veterans Day at the New Mexico Legislature
on Feb. 6.
During the legislative session, a
proclamation which recognizes the
importance of having citizen Soldiers
holding and acquiring meaningful jobs
was read aloud by Senator Carroll
Leavell (R-Jal) to legislative members.
The proclamation was written and
provided by ESGR with the intent of
underlining the necessity of supporting
our service members. In addition, a
statement of support which highlights a
framework of relations in various areas
between the employer and employee
was provided to and signed by members
of the House of Representatives
and the Senate.
ESGR was instituted to assist
service members with employment
issues such as returning to work from
deployment and performing regular
inactive duty and annual training activities.
However, ESGR has now evolved
into an organization that also encompasses
employer support and recognition.
Further, ESGR seeks to promote
and encourage employers to support
and value their employees that are in
the military.
Other ESGR programs include
employer recognition, ombudsmen
resources regarding the Uniformed
Services Employment and Reemployment
Act, and the Employer Initiative
Program.
New Mexico State Guard
volunteers serve proudly
By Lt. Col. John Bowers
Chief of Staff, New Mexico State Guard
The New Mexico State Guard’s primary
mission is to support the New
Mexico Army National Guard and
communities throughout the “Land of
Enchantment.” Members of the NMSG
operate under the sole authority of the
state government and are partially regulated
by the National Guard Bureau,
but are not a part of the Army National
Guard of the United States. All members
serve as volunteers and are not
paid for the professional services they
bring to us. Many are retired military
members who continue to serve, but
others serve because of their strong
commitment to our communities and
state. The NMSG is a force multiplier
for the National Guard that enables us
to respond quickly and effi ciently to
all missions.
The volunteers who make up the