New Mexico Soldiers Set the Standard at Army Recruiter Course

SANTA FE, N.M. — Six New Mexico Army National Guard Soldiers are earning recognition for academic achievement, physical endurance and service to others as they prepare to graduate from the Army’s Special Qualifications Identifier 4 recruiter course.

The specialized training awards graduates the SQI-4 designation, identifying Soldiers who are qualified to serve as recruiters — a role that places them on the front lines of building the NM Army National Guard’s future force.

Command Sgt. Maj. Abraham Fuentes, senior enlisted leader for the New Mexico National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion, took time before the Soldiers’ graduation to recognize their accomplishments and the noncommissioned officers who helped prepare them for success.

“Our Soldiers didn’t just show up — they excelled in the classroom, pushed themselves physically and represented the NMARNG with pride,” Fuentes said.

Staff Sgt. Nathaniel Ashbaugh, Staff Sgt. Broderick Benally, Sgt. Myrella Angrisani-Ramos, Sgt. Ian Beatrice and Sgt. Juan Medina completed the Norwegian Foot March, earning recognition for successfully meeting the demanding endurance event’s standards.

Benally and Angrisani-Ramos also earned placement on the Commandant’s List, recognizing their performance among the course’s top students.

Sgt. Aylin PachecoPerez and Beatrice earned Superior Academic Achievement recognition by finishing within the top 40% of the class.

Angrisani-Ramos and Beatrice distinguished themselves beyond the classroom as well.

Both received Army Achievement Medals for community service after helping clean up the home of a veteran whose residence had been destroyed by fire.

For Fuentes, the Soldiers’ achievements demonstrate that excellence extends beyond individual awards or academic performance.

“This is what makes me proud to be part of the New Mexico Army National Guard,” Fuentes said. “These Soldiers are showing that excellence isn’t just about what we accomplish in uniform; it’s about how we serve, how we lead and how we represent our organization and our state.”

Fuentes also emphasized that the Soldiers’ accomplishments reflect the investment made by the senior NCOs who trained, mentored and developed them before they arrived at the course.

“A lot of this success is a direct reflection of the leadership, mentorship and time you all have put into developing them,” Fuentes said. “You should be proud knowing that these Soldiers are taking the tools, knowledge and qualities they’ve learned from you and using them to succeed.”

That, Fuentes said, is one of the most important measures of effective NCO leadership — developing Soldiers capable of succeeding when their leaders are no longer standing beside them.

“This is what leadership is about: developing Soldiers who can go out, represent our organization and excel without us standing over their shoulders,” Fuentes said. “Proud of our Soldiers and proud of the NCOs who continue to develop them. Great job, everyone. Keep setting the standard.”

As they graduate and return to New Mexico as qualified recruiters, the six Soldiers will carry those standards into a mission centered on finding, mentoring and bringing the next generation of Soldiers into the New Mexico Army National Guard.

Their performance at the recruiter course demonstrated the qualities they will now be expected to recognize and cultivate in others: service, leadership, professionalism and a commitment to excellence.