ROTC cadets receive commission at Kirtland ceremony

  • Published
  • By Katherine C. Gandara
  • Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center Chief of Public Affairs
KIRTLAND AFB, N.M. --  Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets from Detachment 510 at the University of New Mexico took their commissioning oaths May 11 at the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center headquarters at Kirtland Air Force Base.

AFOTEC's commander, Maj. Gen. David J. Eichhorn, spoke to the eight new officers about their role as leaders.

"You'll be responsible for caring for America's treasure, its young men and women, like yourselves, in what are sure to be tough economic times ahead," said Eichhorn. "Take care of those men and women and they'll take care of the mission, proudly overcoming all challenges and hardships you might face. It's what well-led teams do."

The ROTC detachment commander said the cadets wanted to be commissioned at Kirtland AFB because of the base's support of their training program.

"Kirtland has a great impact on the Albuquerque and UNM community. Some of our students are interns with Sandia National Laboratories, many are employed on base, two obtained their pilot's licenses at the base Aero Club, and we regularly ask base representatives from every air force specialty code to talk to the cadets. Having the event at Kirtland marks the return to our service culture upon which the cadets thrive," said Lt. Col. Raul Garcia.

"Since 2007, UNM has performed a joint service commissioning," he said. "Thanks to Maj. Scott McMahon, who recently moved from AFOTEC to Det. 510 as our recruiting flight commander, the cadets had the first Air Force commissioning ceremony since 2006 at AFOTEC."

Some of the lieutenants talked about what the significance of the event.

"It means the world to me to follow in my father's and sister's footsteps, being an officer and carrying on a family tradition," said 2nd Lt. Michele Moldovean. "My father was an Army helicopter pilot, so I want to be a helicopter pilot and combine that with my medical background to serve as a search and rescue pilot. That will allow me to be there for my fellow military and civilian team members."

One of the new lieutenants learned during the ceremony that he was selected to attend the Air Force Institute of Technology for a master's degree in astrophysics.

"It was a huge surprise and to have General Eichhorn tell me the way he did was very cool," said 2nd Lt. Joshua Reding. "I feel like there are no limits to the possibilities ahead of me. I am excited for what lies ahead and I couldn't have come this far without the support of my family and the UNM ROTC leadership."

The detachment commander highlighted the graduates' capabilities and praised the ROTC program's staff.

"This ceremony spotlights these cadets becoming Air Force officers. However, it is much more than that; they have become leaders over the past four years. They are smart, resourceful, enthusiastic and ready to do great things for America. We are fortunate to have a great team supporting them, including Judy Ortiz-Aragon and Elizabeth Hofmann-Yslas, who have been with us for more than 20 years combined," said Garcia.

The 2012 UNM Air Force ROTC commissionees are:

2nd Lt. Josh de Amusategui enlisted in the Air Force in 2005 and served at Cannon AFB, N.M., as a ground radar systems technical before enrolling in the Air Force ROTC program. He graduated cum laude with a degree in applied mathematics from UNM and will report to air battle manager training.
  • 2nd Lt. Eric Estvanko graduated with a degree in business administration from UNM and will report to pilot training.
  • 2nd Lt. Kathleen Fosterling graduated with a degree in communications and journalism from UNM and will report to space and missile officer training.
  • 2nd Lt. Cody Gibson graduated with a degree in university studies from UNM and will report to combat systems operator training.
  • 2nd Lt. Geoffrey Guerdrum graduated with a psychology degree from UNM and will report to remotely piloted aircraft pilot training.
  • 2nd Lt. Cody Gutierrez graduated with a degree in university studies from UNM and will report to pilot training.
  • 2nd Lt. Joshua Reding graduated with a degree in astrophysics and will serve as a physicist after completing his master's degree at the Air Force Institute of Technology.
  • 2nd Lt. Michelle Moldovean enlisted in the Navy in 2005 and served as a corpsman for one tour before enrolling in the Air Force ROTC program. She graduated with a degree in professional aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and will report to pilot training.