Current Pledge Drive.

Dear New Mexico State University ROTC Alumni,

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. We now have an alumni group called the Bataan Battalion Alumni Organization (BBAO), working to develop a robust alumni network while supporting the NMSU Bataan Battalion. The board invites you to join us in our effort to support LTC Adam Buchanan and the Corps of Cadets.

In the last few years, the BBAO has participated in NMSU Military Appreciation Week, conducted annual social events, including homecoming tailgating and summer mixers, attended formal functions, and raised money to support the NMSU ROTC Corps of Cadets. Fundraising is one of the organization's primary goals, and we are working with the NMSU Foundation to foster relationships with donors who want to contribute to the success of the ROTC program at NMSU. 

This spring, the BBAO is supported cadet teams participating in the Bataan Memorial March and will gift commissioning cadets a uniform stipend to cover the cost of the "Army Greens." As you know, these 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. 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.

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. We 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 recurring administration costs of running the alumni organization, including a website, newsletter, and events. 

We encourage alumni to visit www.nmsu-bbao.com and sign up for the newsletter and the BBAO's new mentorship program. The mentorship program is a great way for NMSU ROTC Alumni to contribute their valuable experiences to the leadership development of our cadets. 

For more information about donating and volunteering, visit the organization's web page at www.nmsu-bbao.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.