SANTA FE, N.M. – Pfc. Eric Rodriguez is now Cadet Eric Rodriguez after receiving an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York.
Rodriguez enlisted in the New Mexico Army National Guard as a Signal Support Systems Specialist assigned to the 515th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion in Roswell, N.M.
Lt. Col. Rudylee Armijo, administrative officer of the 111th Sustainment Brigade, said that Rodriguez applied to West Point through a National Guard/Reserve program for qualified Soldiers.
Rachel Kreps, Rodriguez’s mother, said that he completed most of the application process by telephone during Sunday afternoons while in Basic Combat Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. She added that the training cadre assisted Rodriguez with his packet.
“His drill sergeant recorded a video of his pull-up test for the application,” Kreps said.
Rodriguez was born in Santa Fe. His family moved to Sanford, Colorado, when he was 10. As a high school student, he participated in football, track, and National Honor Society.
While a student, he found his first job at the Elk Creek Veterinary Clinic in nearby La Jara, Colorado.
Kreps said that Rodriguez’s boss, Dr. Jeremy Sowards, allowed Rodriguez to work around his school schedule.
“He would just let him show up after school and sometimes after the clinic was closed to clean the barn,” she said.
The family moved to Carlsbad, N.M., in 2020 during the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rodriguez elected to complete his classes online with Sanford High School.
Rodriguez graduated as the class salutatorian.
Kreps said that he had strong support from faculty like Counselor Kristie Duran, Shop Teacher and Football Coach Joe Cary and his father Joe Cary Sr., English Teacher Krista Bond, Science Teacher Blake Canty, and Math Teacher Kyle Canty.
“They had such a huge impact on his life,” Kreps said. “I’m so grateful to them.”
Along the way, Rodriguez contemplated enlisting.
“The military was always an option for him. He always kept bringing it up,” Kreps said.
“The (New Mexico Army National Guard) recruiters came out. They were wonderful,” Kreps said. “We told them education was our main goal.”
The recruiters said that, based on Rodriguez’s academic record and Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery scores, they could help him apply to the New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell, N.M., and West Point.
“It was almost too good to be true,” Kreps said.
Rodriguez graduated from Basic Combat Training on Oct. 28, 2021. He graduated from Advanced Individual Training at U.S. Army Signal School at Fort Gordon, Georgia, as the Honor Graduate on June 8, 2022.
Kreps said that Rodriguez graduated from AIT with an academic average of 99.6 percent. The Distinguished Honor Graduate had an academic average of 99.8 percent.
Rodriguez reported to West Point, where he is now in Cadet Basic Training, just 13 days after completing AIT.
Kreps said that she and the family will be allowed to visit Rodriguez at West Point for a single day on Aug. 13.Rodriguez is leaning toward majoring in Mechanical Engineering.
In addition to help from his teachers, counselors, and Dr. Sowards, Kreps said that Rodriguez has benefitted from an involved family.
“He has a great family support system. His grandma and grandpa have been so helpful,” Kreps said.
Rodriguez’s immediate family includes his stepfather Daniel Kreps and his younger brothers Easton and Eilem Kreps.
With supportive school faculty and family, Rodriguez has always worked to accomplish his goals.
“He came from humble beginnings, and he’s risen above. He’s doing great. He always has,” his mother said.
“We are over the moon,” Kreps said. “We’re so proud of him.”
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