Photo By Master Sgt. Paul Meeker | Capt. Erin Montoya, outgoing commander of the 200th Public Affairs Detachment, 93rd...... read more read more
Santa Fe, N.M. – 1st Lt. Maria Del Rio accepted command of the New Mexico Army National Guard’s 200th Public Affairs Detachment from outgoing commander Capt. Erin Montoya, June 3, 2018, during a change of command ceremony at the New Mexico National Guard’s Santa Fe Readiness Center, Santa Fe, N.M.
The ceremony included an exchange of the unit’s colors, which symbolizes the transfer of command authority, accountability and responsibility from one commander to another.
Del Rio, who calls Socorro, N.M. home, has served in the New Mexico National Guard since 2009, commissioning as an officer in 2013. Prior to her assignment as the PAD commander, she served the NMNG in numerous positions including State Historian and State Partnership Program Director.
During the workweek, she serves as the NMNG’s Family Programs Director with direct responsibility for six subordinate offices that provide an array of services for Guardsmen and their families.
In her acceptance remarks, Del Rio thanked Col. Michael A. Treadwell, commander of the 93rd Troop Command, for her opportunity to lead the 200th PAD and Montoya for her mentorship.
“I want to say a few words about Capt. Montoya,” Del Rio said. “It was Capt. Montoya who inspired me and motivated me to actually go to OCS [Officer Candidate School], complete the challenge and become an officer.”
Following Del Rio’s remarks, Treadwell presented Montoya with the Army Commendation Medal for her exceptional leadership of the 200th PAD during her tenure.
In his congratulatory remarks to Montoya, Treadwell thanked her for her two-and-a-half years of dedicated service leading the PAD.
“It’s not a big unit in numbers, but it has a big footprint … You’re the eyes and ears of the National Guard because you’re out documenting and taking pictures and letting everybody see all the great training that all the Soldiers of the New Mexico Guard are doing, so good job!” said Treadwell.
Montoya thanked Treadwell and the two preceding commanders she served under for their mentorship, leadership, guidance and support. She then shifted her remarks to the men and women of the PAD whom she led.
“When I took command I did not expect to have the most dynamic team with the most interesting individuals,” Montoya said. “I do take pride in the fact that this is a small unit tasked with many missions that allow them to perform their mission, telling the story of the New Mexico National Guard.”
Montoya, who has served in the New Mexico Army National Guard since 2007, intends to devote her newfound time and energies to her current job as the Kirtland Air Force Base Community Planner and to real estate investment and management.
| Date Taken: | 06.19.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 06.19.2018 14:54 |
| Story ID: | 281539 |
| Location: | SANTA FE, NM, US |
| Web Views: | 232 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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