by LTC (Ret) Karen Conley, BBAO, Vice President
New Mexico State University (NMSU) Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) has a rich history spanning over 120 years. The Corps has commissioned over 2,000 officers. Many alumni have gone on to successful careers in both the military and civilian sectors. They have also created the Bataan Battalion Alumni Organization (BBAO), which aims to develop a robust alumni network while supporting the NMSU Bataan Battalion. The BBAO contacts alumni and works with the Professor of Military Science (PMS) to support leadership development at NMSU. They participate in NMSU Military Appreciation Week, conduct annual social events, including homecoming tailgating and summer mixers, attend formal functions, and raise money to support the NMSU ROTC Corps of Cadets. Fundraising is one of the organization's primary goals, and they are working alongside the NMSU Foundation to foster relationships with donors who want to contribute to the success of the ROTC program at NMSU.
"LTC Adam Buchanan, the current PMS and his staff are doing great things, and he's provided a strategic vision for the Battalion to ensure future success," said Brigadier General (Ret) Eric L. Sanchez, who serves as the Honorary Colonel of the BBAO and is also the Director of the Physical Science Laboratory at NMSU.
Since arriving in June of 2022, Buchanan, a graduate of Furman University, has worked with the University to establish additional scholarships and obtain enhanced training equipment for the ROTC program. Both Buchanan and Sanchez are campaigning for the state to grant out-of-state cadets in-state tuition.
"These scholarships will allow us to be more successful in recruiting top talent from across the nation by offering any three and four-year national scholarship winners full-tuition scholarships for each year they are on an ROTC scholarship," said Buchanan."
This spring, the BBAO is supporting cadet teams participating in the Bataan Memorial Death March and will gift commissioning cadets a uniform stipend to cover the cost of the "Army Greens." Depending on where cadets purchase their new uniforms, they can cost between $700 and $1000, a substantial amount for newly commissioned officers. The organization has provided funds several times for uniforms over the last eight years.
"We are looking to raise $14,000 to cover the cost for all 14 NMSU cadets that will be commissioned this spring, added Sanchez. "In two years, the Army will be paying for these uniforms, but for now, this is a commitment we made and are working to keep."
The Bataan Memorial Death March is held to honor service members, many of whom were from New Mexico, who defended the Philippine Islands during World War II and were forced to march 65 miles to confinement camps. This event was the idea of NMSU Army ROTC cadet Ray Pickering (88), now a retired Lieutenant Colonel, and it has continued to be a significant event in Southern New Mexico with over 9,000 participants. Today, the event is sponsored and run by White Sands Missile Range (WSMR). The NMSU ROTC teams have a history of performing well in the grueling 26.2-mile trek through the WSMR Desert.
The BBAO is looking to raise at least $2000 to help cadets pay for team t-shirts, water, and food for their concession stand at the event. Cadets use the funds they raise for other events throughout the year. In the future, the BBAO will focus on fundraising to support the entire Corps of Cadets, which currently has over 50 students. This includes cadet recognition events, enhanced training equipment, and scholarships for needy students. They also want to support the Bataan Leads Fund, an outreach program in which NMSU cadets mentor local JROTC cadets through training events emphasizing team building and leadership skills.
The BBAO's long-term goal is to create an annual budget to support the vision and objectives of the PMS and the recurring administration costs of running the alumni organization, including a website, newsletter, and events. The BBAO has been shepherded by Brigadier General (Ret) Jack Fox and Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Gary Cataldo for the last 29 years, putting the organization in a good place for the next generation of alumni. They are working with new board members to establish a path to increased membership and fundraising. Recently honored as a Georgia State Distinguished Alumni, Fox has served in many prestigious positions, including Cabinet Secretary of the New Mexico Department of Veterans Services, Commandant of New Mexico Military Institute, and President of St. John's Military School. Founder of the BBAO and past president, Cataldo served 26 years in the Army. Upon retirement in 1991, he was an independent trainer and consultant to numerous government agencies and private businesses.
"It is most gratifying to see that what began in 1995 with a single phone call, which then grew to involve dozens of alumni for almost three decades, is continuing through the efforts of a new generation," said Cataldo.”
“We are very grateful to BG Fox (Ret.) and LTC (Ret) Cataldo for their leadership and dedication to the BBAO. We all agree that supporting the Corps of Cadets and the Army is our top priority," said LTC (Ret) Karen S. Conley, BBAO Vice President. Conley, an 87 graduate, returned to Las Cruces after a 28-year career in the military.
The organization's board includes Chief Operating Officer Captain Alfonso Orenday, who, along with his wife Gulee, has been instrumental in launching the alumni social media presence and new web page. Orenday is a New Mexico National Guard member, serving on active duty as the Army ROTC program's National Guard Liaison and as a Company Commander in the 1st Battalion 200th Infantry Regiment.
"The BBAO was designed to reconnect with classmates, stay updated, give back, network, and mentor. We encourage alumni to visit www.nmsu-bbao.com and sign up for the newsletter," said Orenday. "Alumni can also sign up to mentor cadets through the BBAO's mentorship program, which we started last fall."
"The mentorship program is a great way for NMSU ROTC Alumni to contribute their valuable experiences to the leadership development of our cadets," said Buchanan. "Not everyone can donate money, but time poured into our cadets can often be even more impactful. Alumni giving back to the organization reinforces the lessons our cadets learn on campus about engaged leadership and planting trees they will never see. This program gives us one more reason to be proud of our Bataan Battalion's history."
For more information about donating and volunteering, contact us at nmsu.rotc.alumni@outlook.com
Donations to the Army ROTC Alumni Chapter can be made at CH-Army ROTC Alumni Chapter Donations. (Please select CH-Army ROTC Alumni Chapter in the drop down menu.) Checks can be mailed to NMSU Foundation, Inc. Gift Processing: PO Box 3590, Las Cruces, NM, 88003-3590. Please annotate on the check CH-Army ROTC Alumni Chapter.
If you need assistance or have questions, please call Karen Conley at 314-704-9445.
