Maj. Luis Caloca was recently named Distinguished Honor Graduate of the resident Command and General Staff Officer Course at the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation at Fort Benning, Ga.
He also earned a master’s degree in Operational Studies.
The course, which consists of Intermediate Level Education and the Advanced Operations Course, graduated May 25.Caloca said that all instruction was in Spanish to accommodate students from 16 Latin American countries and the U.S.
“It was a great experience not only academically but also being able to build relationships with officers from other countries,” Caloca said.
“Essentially, these countries send their most able officers to the United States for this education,” he said. “In their home countries, they have their own challenges, which can include fighting guerillas, and they shared that experience with us.”
Growing up in Mexico and California, Caloca was commissioned as an Infantry officer upon graduating from the New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell, N.M., in 2007. He subsequently earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from California State University, Stanislaus, in Turlock, Calif.
After commissioning, Caloca entered active duty with the U.S. Army. He served in Afghanistan from 2011 to 2012.Caloca transferred to the New Mexico National Guard in 2015. He deployed to the Horn of Africa with 1st Battalion, 200th Infantry, from 2019 to 2020. He currently serves as the Operations Officer of the 93rd Troop Command in Santa Fe.
He and his wife Isabell have two children: Emma, 5, and Roberto, nine months.
Realizing the difficulty in sending an Active Guard Reserve officer to school for nearly a year made Caloca appreciate attending WHINSEC and reaffirmed his desire to continue service in the NMNG.
“I’m very grateful for the opportunity to attend this course,” Caloca said. “I’m here for the long haul.”(Photos courtesy of the Western Hemisphere for Security Cooperation)