New Mexico Military Institute

New Mexico Military Institute, 1904 New Mexico Military Institute was founded by Colonel Robert S. Goss and Captain Joseph C. Lea in 1891, originally as the Goss Military Institute, with an initial enrollment of 38 students. It was recognized by the territorial legislature and renamed NMMI in 1893. While the legislature had recognized the school, it failed to provide funding, and the school was forced to close its doors on "Bad Friday", March 29, 1895. In the winter of 1894–1895 a funding bill was prepared and approved by the legislature. James J. Hagerman donated a 40-acre (16 ha) tract of land which became the current location of the institute. The school reopened in the fall of 1898. [ 3 ] Hundreds of graduates served in World War I and World War II , including Medal of Honor recipient John C. Morgan [ 4 ] and hotelier Conrad Hilton of the Hilton Hotels chain. In 1948, the institute introduced a four-year liberal arts college program but discontinued it in 1956. The school became fully coeducational in 1977, although some females had attended as non-cadet day students from 1891 to 1898. In 2013, the institute broke off relations with the alumni association over disagreement about finances. [ 5 ] [ 6 ] Members of the alumni association claimed that this was an effort by the school to gain access and control of the over $5.2 million in assets of the association. [ 7 ] [ 8 ] On June 10, 2013, the school filed a lawsuit in Chaves County to take control of the assets of the alumni association. [ 9 ] Editorial response to the institute's actions has been generally negative, calling it a "hijacking" of the group and its resources. [ 10 ] On April 21, 2015, the Fifth Judicial District Court found that the alumni association had not breached its agreement with NMMI and that NMMI had "improperly terminated" the agreement. [ 11 ] [ 12 ] The judge required the association to turn over the funds. The current superintendent, Brigadier General (retired) Voris W.

McBurnette, was appointed on June 6, 2024. [ 13 ]

The original area of land for the campus was donated to the school by local rancher James J. Hagerman, for whom the main barracks complex is named. [ 4 ] The institute's buildings are made in a uniform Gothic Revival style out of buff brick. Its architecture and organization was inspired by the Virginia Military Institute . [ citation needed ] The campus is a designated area on the National Register of Historic Places . Hagerman Barracks, looking south toward Sally Port

Cadets are organized into a Corps of Cadets , following the organization of a cavalry regiment with a Headquarters Troop that comprises the Marching Band . The regiment comprises three squadrons consisting of four to five troops each. Cadets are structured into classes, 6th Class (9th grade high school equivalent) through 1st Class (college sophomore). Cadets are all treated on the basis of earned merit. The military boarding school environment is maintained by the cadet leadership, with all academic classes, meals, and military and physical training occurring "on post" (on campus) in a controlled environment. Based on the rank structure of the Virginia Military Institute, cadets start out as New Cadets, also known as RATs (recruits at training). College and high school cadets are RATs for one semester, then the next semester are known as yearlings, and after the one year mark they are called Old Cadets. Previously, cadets could also earn Junior or Senior Army ROTC positions outside of the Corps, but starting in the fall of 2022 school year, JROTC ranks and Corps ranks were integrated. College and High School were separated in the Corps and in two different barracks starting in the fall of 2022 as well, except at the regimental staff level. These factors determine a cadet's privileges and authority and define social interactions at the institute. [ 14 ] The rules of the institute for cadets are codified in the "Blue Book". [ 14 ] Minor offenses against these rules may result in simple correction of behavior or disciplinary measures like push-ups. Cadets with excessive demerits may be put on disciplinary probation. Cadets who fail to meet standards of academic performance are put on academic probation. Leaving the campus is generally only authorized on weekends, holidays, and during family visits. [ 14 ] All cadets live "on-post" (on-campus) in one of the two barracks. [ 15 ] The commandant and dean of students is Col.