This past weekend, a group of nine Lobos — Navy Ensigns and Marine Corps Second Lieutenants — were commissioned into service to protect our nation and defend freedom. 

“This is the 75th class of Navy and Marine Corps officers commissioned through The University of New Mexico’s Naval ROTC Unit, since it was established in 1941,” said CAPT. Michael B. Riley, commanding officer of the UNM NROTC Unit. “For over 78 years we have trained, educated, and commissioned line officers for service with the Fleet and Fleet Marine Forces. This is the fifth group that I’ve personally commissioned.”

This cohort is special to CAPT. Riley as a 1990 graduate of UNM NROTC. 

“This is the first cohort I’ve led through their entire academic experience here at UNM—from newly reporting freshman to senior midshipmen, I’ve watched them grow and mature into naval officers, ready to serve at-sea. That makes me very proud.” 

He added, “With that pride comes some sadness, as this is the last group that I’ll commission here. I turn over command of the NROTC Unit this summer. I can truly say that that training Midshipmen at the Unit I was commissioned from, has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career.”

The graduates:

  • 2nd Lt. Baca is graduating with a Bachelor of Liberal Arts and a Minor in Military Studies. Upon graduation, he will report to The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia.
  • 2nd Lt. Kennedy is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and a Minor in Military Studies. Upon graduation, he will report to The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia. 2nd Lt Kennedy’s older brother, 1st Lt Andrew Kennedy, graduated from UNM’s NROTC program in 2017. 
  • 2nd Lt. Evans is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a Minor in Military Studies. Upon graduation, he will report to The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia.
  • 2nd Lt. Perez is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and dual Minors in Military Studies and Psychology. Upon graduation, he will report to The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia with follow on orders to Naval Air Station, Pensacola FL, as a Student Naval Aviator.
  • ENS Velazquez is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Minor in Military Studies. Upon graduation, she will   report to USS ESSEX (LHD-2) homeported in San Diego, California as a Surface Warfare Officer.
  • ENS Dimalanta is graduating with dual degrees: Bachelors of Science in  Anthropology and Statistics and a Minor in Military Studies. Upon graduation, he will report to the USS STERETT (DDG-104) in San Diego, California as a Surface Warfare Officer.
  • ENS Dukes is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Minor in Military Studies. Upon graduation, he will report to Naval Air Station, Pensacola FL as a Student Naval Aviator. 
  • ENS Galaz is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and a Minor in Military Studies. Upon graduation, he will report to  CHANCELLORSVILLE (CG-62) homeported in Yokosuka, Japan as a Surface Warfare Officer.
  • ENS Lovelace is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and Minors in Military Studies and Mathematics.  Upon graduation, he will report to USS CARNEY (DDG-64) homeported in Rota, Spain as a Surface Warfare Officer.