Ortega retires after 33 years

SANTA FE, N.M. – Loretta Ortega officially retired during a June 29, 2021, ceremony at the Regional Training Institute here. She completed 33 years as a Department of the Army civilian employee.

Ortega, a Santa Fe native, came to work for the New Mexico Army National Guard as an Accounting Technician in February 1988. She transferred to the Inspector General’s office in October 1994 and went on to complete both basic and advanced courses at the Inspector General School at Fort Belvoir, Va.

Ortega’s career spanned the tenures of six Adjutants General and 10 Inspectors General. She repeatedly served as the Acting IG during transition periods from one IG to another and credited the Judge Advocate General’s office for providing “tremendous help” at those times. Ortega’s duties have included complaint resolutions, inspections, and investigations.

“My final IG, Lt. Col. (Valerie) Knight, is my first female IG,” Ortega said. “I wasn’t sure how that was going to work, but we became fast friends.”

Ortega’s first IG, retired Lt. Col. Keith Bethea, traveled from Indiana to attend her retirement ceremony.

Knight served as master of ceremonies. Maj. Gen. Kenneth Nava, the Adjutant General of New Mexico, presided over the event.

Nava presented the New Mexico Medal of Merit to Ortega along with his personal letter of appreciation after reading it aloud.

Nava also oversaw the presentation of other gifts to Ortega, which included a presidential letter of appreciation, a certificate of appreciation from New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, a U.S. flag flown over the NMNG’s headquarters complex, a New Mexico flag flown over the state capitol, and more.

Ortega and Nava presented a spouse’s certificate to Ortega’s husband, retired Master Sgt. Alfred Ortega, and a child’s certificate to daughter Angela. Ortega received another child’s certificate for her daughter Rachel, who is serving on Okinawa with the U.S. Marine Corps.

Nava presented his challenge coin to Ortega’s father, Richard Madrid, who served in the Marines at the end of the Korean War. In keeping with family tradition, Ortega’s brother served in the U.S. Navy.

Ortega, who has a known affinity for exercise, said, “I may not be in uniform, but I can pass a PT (Physical Training) test.”

She later joked about eating bonbons and watching television in retirement.

“My husband said he would give me 30 days’ leave to start my retirement before putting me to work,” Ortega said. “I told him, ‘You’re my hubby, not my boss.’”

On a more serious note, Ortega thanked her family and friends.

“Thank you to all of you who came here today. Your love and support mean the world to me,” she said.

“It’s been an honor serving the United States military,” Ortega said. “God has blessed me with my faith, my family, and my career.”