New Mexico Military Institute
Roswell, NM
Quick Facts
“Duty, Honor, Achievement”
Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education
About New Mexico Military Institute
NMMI: The West's premier military high school & junior college, shaping leaders since 1891.
New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI) stands as a beacon of leadership development and academic excellence in the American West. Unique in its mission, NMMI operates as the only state-supported military junior college and high school in the western United States, dedicated to cultivating young men and women into principled leaders. Located in Roswell, New Mexico, the Institute embraces its long-standing motto of "Duty, Honor, Achievement," fostering a disciplined yet enriching environment for its nearly 1,000 cadets across both high school and freshman-sophomore college levels.
With roots stretching back to its founding in 1891 by Colonel Robert S. Goss and Captain Joseph C. Lea, NMMI has a proud and resilient history. After facing early financial hurdles, the Institute persevered, reopening stronger and establishing a legacy of service and success. Its alumni network is distinguished, boasting Medal of Honor recipients, prominent military figures who served in both World Wars, and influential leaders in the private sector, including hotel magnate Conrad Hilton.
Academically, NMMI offers a rigorous curriculum complemented by its transformative military structure. The highly regarded two-year Army ROTC Early Commissioning Program prepares cadets for service, commissioning approximately 30 annually as U.S. Army second lieutenants. Furthermore, the Institute serves as a proven pathway to elite military education, with nearly 100 cadets each year advancing to one of the five prestigious United States Service academies. Integral to the NMMI experience is the Cadet Honor Code—"A Cadet Will Not Lie, Cheat, or Steal, Nor Tolerate Those Who Do"—a powerful ethical foundation administered by cadets themselves.
Since becoming fully co-educational in 1977, NMMI has continued to evolve, providing a comprehensive and challenging experience on its 300-acre campus. Cadets engage in a vibrant campus life, including a wide array of athletics, with the Broncos representing the junior college and the Colts the high school, all proudly competing in scarlet and black. NMMI is more than just a school; it's a transformative journey designed to instill character, leadership, and a commitment to excellence.
Key Highlights
- ✦Only state-supported military junior college and high school in the Western United States.
- ✦Founded in 1891, cultivating leaders for over 130 years under the motto: "Duty, Honor, Achievement."
- ✦Enrollment of 914 students (cadets) across high school (grades 9-12) and junior college (freshman-sophomore).
- ✦Two-year Army ROTC Early Commissioning Program commissions approximately 30 cadets annually as U.S. Army second lieutenants.
- ✦Nearly 100 cadets each year progress to one of the five United States Service academies.
- ✦Home to the Cadet Honor Code, established in 1921: "A Cadet Will Not Lie, Cheat, or Steal, Nor Tolerate Those Who Do."
- ✦Notable alumni include Medal of Honor recipient John C. Morgan and hotelier Conrad Hilton.
Timeline
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