The graduates represented Regular Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve units from around the United States. Spc. Roberto Paz Jr. earned the title of Distinguished Honor Graduate. Spc. Bryce Register took home the Distinguished Leadership Award. Spc. Shalee Callahan, Spc. Darrin Walter, Spc. Arthur Glass, Spc. Brandtly Smith, Cpl. Alexander Malin, Spc. William Ashens, Cpl. Zackary Williams, Spc. Carlos Lopez-Camacho, Spc. Matthew Gaetz, Sgt. John Bruce, Spc. Kelley Knippel, and Spc. Angel Giovanni Martinez all graduated on the Commandant’s List. Ashens also won the SHARP Essay Award. Spc. Joseph Brannock served as the Student First Sergeant for the class. Sgt. Maj. Chad Hazen, the Personnel Sergeant Major for Joint Forces Headquarters-New Mexico, provided the keynote speech using Soldier Care as his theme. “Get to know your Soldiers. Spend time with them,” Hazen said. “Ask them for their input.” Branch Chief Master Sgt. Daniel Garcia named Staff Sgt. Jacob Bermudez as Instructor of the Cycle. Before the ceremony began, Maj. Gen. Kenneth Nava, the Adjutant General of New Mexico, briefly addressed the graduates and their family members—some of whom traveled from as far away as Pennsylvania. “Thank you for what you do. The Army needs you,” Nava said. He then wished everyone a pleasant holiday weekend and safe travels home.
