Friendships at a Military Boarding School

Hello everyone! I am Cadet Major Victor Barbosa, and today I want to talk to you about friendships in a boarding military school!

When choosing a high school or junior college, one of the most important factors to consider is the community. So, what is the community like at New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI)? Here at NMMI, you will find yourself in a classroom with around 20 students, often representing more than 10 different countries. When you step into our beloved cafeteria, Bates, you will meet people from all over the world. And despite our diverse backgrounds, we all have one thing in common: we are here to build friendships and start a new chapter in our lives.

NMMI gives you the opportunity for a fresh start. If you ask any alumni about what they love most about NMMI, the answer is almost always the same, lifelong friendships. Here, I have met friends who supported me during the hardest moments of my life and celebrated with me the best ones. At NMMI, you do not just make friends, you gain brothers and sisters. We live together in Hagerman Barracks, also known as “The Box.” We eat, study, work, laugh, and sometimes even cry together. This shared experience fosters a bond like no other. Even if you don’t get along with everyone all the time, at the end of the day, you will always have each other’s backs. If one of us struggles, we all come together. If one of us succeeds, we all celebrate. This is the level of unity that defines NMMI.

Life at a boarding military school is demanding. Maintaining discipline every single day is a challenge, but your friends make it easier. They hold you accountable, push you to be your best, and remind you that you are never alone. If you are considering where to spend the next four years of high school—or if you are looking for a strong Junior College experience, NMMI is the place for you.

See you soon, future recruits!

Respectfully,

C/MAJ Victor Barbosa

Battalion Operations Officer (S-3)