The Soldiers and their respective units are as follows. Pvt. Marisa Begay, 642nd Ordnance Company Pfc. Hai Bui, Company A, 1st Battalion, 200th Infantry Pfc. Samuel Gonzalez, 3631st Signal Company Pfc. Brisa Heacox, 920th Engineer Company Pvt. Mario Hernandez, 920th Engineer Company Pfc. Felix Jimenez, Company C, 3rd Battalion, 140th Aviation Pvt. Samantha Jimenez, 920th Engineer Company Pvt. Joshua Lopez, 642nd Ordnance Company Pfc. Sheranna Lucero, 1115th Transportation Company Pfc. Samuel Medina, 515th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion Spc. Juan Muñoz, Company B, 1st Battalion, 200th Infantry Pvt. Allen Parris, Company B, 1st Battalion, 200th Infantry Pfc. Phillip Romero, 126th Military Police Company Pvt. Ronald Romero, 1115th Transportation Company Recruiting and Retention Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Brian White and Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Vigil presented plaques and challenge coins to Begay, Lopez, Lucero, and Phillip Romero for their achievements during Initial Military Training. Begay was the Distinguished Honor Graduate of her cycle. Lopez scored a maximum 300 points on the Army Physical Fitness Test during training. Lucero was named Honor Graduate of her class and scored 300 on the APFT. Phillip Romero was selected as Honor Graduate in his cycle. During the ceremony, Muñoz was promoted to the rank of Specialist, Felix Jimenez was promoted to Private First Class, and Gonzalez, Lopez, and Ronald Romero were promoted to the rank of PV2. Maj. Rudylee Armijo, RSP officer-in-charge, said that the audience was the largest he had ever seen for a Battle Hand-off Ceremony and thanked family members for attending. “These Soldiers have taken the first step in their military careers and hopefully they’re going to be long and prosperous careers,” Armijo said. “You all did really well to get through your training,” New Mexico Army National Guard Chief of Staff Daniel Stark told the Soldiers. “You are now first responders for the state of New Mexico. You are the front line to defend this state and nation.” Unit representatives patched in the new Soldiers, officially welcoming them into their new companies. The Recruiting and Retention Battalion administers the Recruit Sustainment Program. The program prepares recruits to successfully complete Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training.
