New Mexico Military Institute - NMMI Today

NMMI Today

New Mexico Military Institute provides a unique environment, where 6th Class (9th Grade High School Equivalent) through 1st Class (college sophomore) cadets are all treated on the basis of earned merit upon completion of their introductory period as a Recruit At Training (RAT) and subsequent year as a New Cadet. The military school structure is provided through all cadets living in the Troop Barracks, with all classes, meals, and military and physical training occurring "On Post" (on campus) in a controlled environment. RATs and Cadre (cadets who train new RATs) perform PT early in the morning followed by a meal, and training in D&C (Drill and Ceremony) and other such activities associated with the military. After the 21/28 RAT days cadets earn even more privileges. After 42 days RATs become New Cadets and have almost full access to the campus. NMMI has a notable status system that was created in 1927. There are three statuses, New Cadet, Yearling, and Old Cadet. A high school cadet who has been at NMMI for a year "turns" into a yearling at the end of the year. Junior College members "turn" into yearlings after a semester. As for becoming an old cadet the system is the same, one year for high school and a semester for college, after their yearling terms, to become an Old Cadet. These statuses determine a cadet's privileges and authority and is one of the greatest social factors of the institute. There are certain rules of interaction that apply, a new cadet cannot socialize with a yearling and or old cadet in a non-professional manner or they may receive a "stick" for fraternization. A stick is the primary mode of punishment at NMMI. When given a stick, a certain amount of "tours" are given and also a certain amount of demerits. A tour is one hour of marching which is fulfilled through "Tour Squad" a group that meets at certain times and does various things to fulfill their tour credit. The standard stick for "Frat" A.K.A. Fraternization is 22/22. In other words, one must fulfill twenty-two hours of tour credit and must receive twenty-two demerits. Cadets with too many demerits may be put on Disciplinary Probation, in which many of their privileges are taken away. Cadets who fail to meet standards of academic performance are put on Academic Probation, in which their privileges are largely revoked. Punishment at the Institute is strict and quickly administered by the "Cadre" or student leaders of NMMI and the staff, when regulations are not followed.

Notable alumni are listed in the section below, and many less well-known alumni continue to "give back" to the Institute in the form of active involvement with the Staff and Corps of Cadets. Each October sees the return of "Homecoming" where alumni from each decade of the corresponding year make the pilgrimage to Roswell, New Mexico and take part in traditions as old as the school itself. Annual Trail Rides and Alumni Musters have also become part of the alumni experience, and NMMI Alumni Association Chapters help to foster lifelong friendships through meetings in various locations. Sometimes alumni chapters will sponsor a "Tattoo" or a "Stand To" - both based on nostalgic military functions designed to increase awareness of alumni initiatives. A new cylindrical structure, divided into individual compartments, has been established in the Chapel courtyard. Those Alumni who choose to do so can have their ashes placed in a compartment as a final, peaceful resting place at their "Alma Mater".

The school's Honor Code is "A Cadet will not Lie, Cheat, Steal, nor Tolerate Those Who Do." The honor code was established by a unanimous vote of the Corps of Cadets in 1921, and is modeled after West Point's honor code.