Cadre
Detachment 510 Commander
Lieutenant Colonel Juan C. Salazar is the Commander, Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) Detachment 510, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, N.M. In this capacity, he is responsible for training and equipping cadets to commission as second lieutenants in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force. Additionally, Lieutenant Colonel Salazar monitors the cadets’ academic progress throughout their chosen program of study.
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Detachment 510 Director of Operations
Major Brent R. Lacy is an Associate Professor of Aerospace Studies at the University of New Mexico as well as the Operations Officer for AFROTC Detachment 510. He is responsible for the Training and Development of the Southwest Region top Hispanic Serving Institution as well as the upper division course work covering National Security, Leadership Responsibilities and Commissioning Preparation.
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Detachment 510 Education and Recruiting Officer
Major Vicente Vasquez is both the Recruiting and Education Officer at Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) Detachment 510, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico. As the Recruiting Officer, Major Vasquez participates in community outreach and ensures prospective new cadets have proper information for joining the program and discussing potential scholarship opportunities. Major Vasquez also monitors the cadets’ academic progress throughout their chosen program of study and oversees standardization and evaluation of the AFROTC curriculum within the detachment.
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Detachment 510 Training Instructor
Technical Sergeant Aaron J. Berndt is the Training Instructor for the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) Detachment 510, University of New Mexico, and Albuquerque, N.M. In this capacity, he supports the training and equipping of cadets to commission as second lieutenants in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force. Sergeant Berndt assists in mentoring and monitoring the cadets’ academic progress throughout their chosen program of study. Additionally, Sergeant Berndt is an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies at Det 510, where he instructs junior level Aerospace Studies courses on the Fundamentals of the Air and Space Forces.
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ROTC Academic Advisor
Annie Merrill is the Sr Academic Advisor for ROTC and Military Studies at UNM. In collaboration with students and their major advisors, she helps develop degree plans that ensure all necessary degree and academic commissioning requirements are met. Additionally, she facilitates the early degree certification process, allowing students to be commissioned without delay. Appointment with Ms. Merrill can be scheduled through LoboAchieve.
