New Mexico Military Institute

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New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI) is a public military junior college and high school in Roswell, New Mexico. Founded in 1891 by Col. Robert S. Goss and Capt. Joseph C. Lea, it is state-supported and governed by a Board of Regents that reports to the governor. Each year, about 1,000 cadets enroll in the combined college and high school programs, making NMMI the western United States’ only state-supported military college.

NMMI offers a two-year Army ROTC Early Commissioning Program that typically commissions around 30 cadets each year as Army lieutenants. About 100 cadets go on to attend one of the U.S. service academies. The Cadet Honor Code, adopted in 1921, states: “A Cadet Will Not Lie, Cheat, or Steal, Nor Tolerate Those Who Do.” Cadets live, study, and train on campus as part of a Corps of Cadets, organized like a cavalry regiment with a Headquarters Troop, three squadrons, and several troops. Classes range from 9th grade high school to college sophomore. In 2022, ROTC and Corps ranks were integrated and college and high school began occupying separate barracks.

The 300-acre campus sits in downtown Roswell in Gothic Revival brick buildings. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the New Mexico Military Institute Historic District. The main barracks are named after donor James Hagerman, whose land helped establish the campus.

NMMI is a coeducational institution. Its sports teams are the Broncos (college) and Colts (high school), with scarlet and black colors. College teams compete in the NJCAA, while high school teams compete in local NM leagues. The football program won the 2021 NJCAA national championship.

The current president and superintendent is Brigadier General Voris W. McBurnette (retired, U.S. Army), who took the role on June 6, 2024.