New Mexico National Guard Transfers Command of Recruiting & Retention Battalion

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Lt. Col. Luis Caloca relinquished command of the Recruiting & Retention Battalion to Lt. Col. Francisco Cazares during a ceremony today at the Albuquerque Readiness Center.

Brig. Gen. Nathaniel Carper, the Deputy Adjutant General and Land Component Commander, presided over the change of command. As a lieutenant colonel, he commanded the Recruiting & Retention Battalion.

Carper praised Caloca for the battalion’s success under his command for the last two years.

During this time, Carper said, the battalion recruited more than 700 new Soldiers and helped more than 700 current Soldiers extend their enlistments.

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“That’s 1,400 members of the New Mexico Army National Guard who were affected by this battalion,” he said.

“I think everybody here knows the importance of this command,” Carper said. “This is a different type of command. This is an intangible sort of effort. You can count numbers, but this command builds readiness.”

Caloca, in turn, paid tribute to members of the battalion.

“You probably don’t hear this enough, but you are doing an outstanding job. Serving alongside you has been the highlight of my 22 years of military service,” Caloca said.

“What you do every single day is not easy. “I’ve seen firsthand the long hours, the sacrifices, the setbacks, and the victories,” he said. “Recruiting is one of the toughest missions in our Army, and yet you continue to show up every day with professionalism and determination.”

Caloca will now assume duties as the State Training Officer at Joint Forces Headquarters – New Mexico in Santa Fe.

Cazares comes to the battalion from the 111th Sustainment Brigade in Rio Rancho, where he served as the administrative officer.

Carper expressed his confidence in Cazares.

“He’s a tremendous worker, and we know he’s the right choice to lead this battalion,” he said.

Cazares said that he is grateful for his selection.

“First, I want to thank God for giving me strength. Second, I want to thank my wife and family for their support. Third, I want to thank General Carper for this opportunity,” he said.

He then tuned to his predecessor.

“Caloca, the Army has a funny sense of humor – two officers that count crayons by taste in the Recruiting & Retention battalion – but thank you for your friendship and stewardship of this battalion,” he said.

Both Caloca and Cazares are Infantry officers.

“Finally, to the Recruiting & Retention Battalion, we are here to create that legacy for tomorrow, but you are here to build the New Mexico Army National Guard with that philosophy that remains the same: Get one!” Cazares said.

Capt. Zachary Jessee served as master of ceremonies, Master Sgt. Greg Martinez provided the invocation, and Command Sgt. Maj. Abe Fuentes performed his duty as the keeper of the colors.

Pfc. Angelika Garcia presented a bouquet of yellow roses to Cazares’s wife Afton to welcome her to the battalion family. Caloca’s wife was unable to attend the ceremony.