By Douglas Mallary, NMNG Public Affairs

SANTA FE, N.M. – Cadre from 1st Battalion, 515th Regiment (RTI), graduated 39 Soldiers from Basic Leader Course Class 005-23 at the Regional Training Institute here this morning.

The class included two graduates from the New Mexico Army National Guard: Spc. Aleq Batts, 920th Engineer Company, and Sgt. David McMurphy, 919th Military Police Company.

Batts graduated on the Commandant’s List, which recognizes the top 20 percent of the class.

Sgt. Joya Jackson was the Distinguished Honor Graduate, having achieved the highest academic average in the class.

Spc. Andrew Howsley was the Honor Graduate and took home the Distinguished Leadership Award.

Sgt. Michelle Lara, Spc. Lauren Rodriguez, Spc. Keith Tilton, Sgt. Morgan Belsom, and Cpl. Dylan Hutchinson rounded out the Commandant’s List.

RTI Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Pacheco presented the Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) Essay Award to Lara.

Rodriguez took home the female Iron Soldier Award for scoring 549 out of a possible 600 points on the Army Combat Fitness Test.

Sgt. Johnny Cabrera-Ramirez won the male Iron Soldier Award by scoring 568 of 600 points for the ACFT.

Belsom served as the Student First Sergeant and led the class in reciting the Creed of the Noncommissioned Officer near the end of the ceremony.

Belsom is assigned to Fort Huachuca, Ariz. Command Sgt. Maj. Clark Kuhling, the Garrison CSM at Fort Huachuca and Belsom’s supervisor, presented his challenge coin to her after graduation.

Kuhling attended the ceremony to support Belsom and other Soldiers from Fort Huachuca.

The New Mexico RTI cadre routinely trains Regular Army, Army Reserve, and Army National Guard Soldiers from around the country and, at times, those stationed overseas.

Tilton provided the invocation and benediction for the ceremony.

Pacheco presented Staff Sgt. James Sheehan with the Instructor of the Cycle Award.

Pacheco also presented an Army Achievement Medal as an impact award to Sgt. 1st Class Chase Martin. Martin recently graduated from the Master Leader Course with the Superior Academic Award and the male Iron Soldier Award for his class. He serves as a Senior Small Group Leader at the RTI.

Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Willy Griego was the guest speaker. He congratulated the students and urged them to keep developing as leaders.

“What makes a good leader? Humility, responsibility, empathy, grit – don’t quit, and vision,” Griego said. “A great leader only exists when you get people to follow you when they have a choice not to follow you.”

1st Sgt. Docklure Stephanus and Sgt. 1st Class Sarah Carlin joined Pacheco and Griego in the official party.

Staff Sgt. Samuel Bullion was the master of ceremonies.