UNM Army ROTC commissions nine new officers during spring ceremony

The University of New Mexico Army ROTC program commissioned nine cadets as second lieutenants during its spring 2026 commissioning ceremony at the UNM Continuing Education Auditorium.

The ceremony recognizes cadets completing the Army ROTC program as they transition into service as commissioned officers in the U.S. Army and Army National Guard. Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Jamison Herrera, cabinet secretary for the New Mexico Department of Veterans' Services, will deliver remarks during the event.

The spring commissioning class includes:

• Rebekah Bryson, who earned a bachelor's degree in criminology, will commission as an engineer officer.
• Charis Buck, who earned a bachelor's degree in nursing, will commission as an Army nurse.
• Elijah Gallegos, who earned a bachelor's degree in psychology, will commission as a finance officer in the Army National Guard.
• Andrew Gilbert, who earned a master's degree in electrical engineering, will commission as an infantry officer in the Army National Guard.
• Khristian King, who earned a bachelor's degree in psychology, will commission as a Medical Service Corps officer.
• Nicholas Redhouse, who earned a bachelor's degree in biochemistry, will commission as a logistics officer in the Army National Guard.
• Simon Reseigh, who earned a bachelor's degree in journalism, will commission as an infantry officer in the Army National Guard.
• James Villanueva, who earned a bachelor's degree in criminology, will commission as an air defense officer in the Army National Guard.
• Elias Witz, who earned a master's degree in organizational information and learning sciences, will commission as a logistics officer in the Army National Guard.

As part of the ceremony, cadets will participate in the traditional Oath of Office and Silver Dollar Salute, a longstanding military tradition in which newly commissioned officers present a silver dollar to the first enlisted service member who salutes them as officers.

UNM is one of only two Hispanic-Serving Institutions in the nation to host Army, Navy/Marine Corps, and Air Force/Space Force ROTC programs. According to the ceremony program, the UNM Army ROTC program has commissioned 367 officers since 1987.

The program is led by Lt. Col. William Cunningham, professor of military science, who has overseen the UNM Army ROTC program since 2023.

For more information, visit armyrotc.unm.edu.