NMMI "Selfies" Can Get NMMI Cadets Caught

Former Cadet Kyle Goldfarb took this selfie just before a formal dance.

            Chapter 5.12, article B.-3, under the Social Networking Policy in the New Mexico Military Institute Blue Book states, “Posting photos, videos, comments or postings showing the personal use of alcohol, tobacco, e.g., cans, shot glasses, bottles or liquor, drugs, etc. are subject to suspension up to and including dismissal.”

            Social media has been a phenomenon known to NMMI for over half a decade. Regimental Commander Sarah Brown says, “When I first got here (2008), most of the cadets used the landline phones in the rooms; only few actually had cell phones that I knew of.” Social media has advanced greatly in six years, and for the cadets at NMMI, the responsibility of keeping a clean slate on the internet has been a tough one.

            Per the blue book, cadets are not even allowed to have there phones outside their rooms, unless one is a First SGT and above. The daily frenzy of Twitter and FaceBook keep cadets constantly checking for the next notification of their uploaded status or picture. To attract more likes, some cadets go to a length of putting theirs and NMMI’s reputations on the line.

            There have been cases where students post discreditable pictures and pay the price for it. NMMI alumni, Sam Turcotte, says, “I knew a kid that posted a picture of him holding a lit cigarette and had a beer in the background. He was sent to the infirmary for IDFY drug testing, and tested positive for alcohol. He was a good kid, just made a dumb decision by being in that situation and posting the picture.”

            Selfies and other photos can create havoc for the cadet if the photo was in an inappropriate location or situation. Yet, cadets still get in trouble for posting these pictures. These students must understand the repercussions of what they put online because their profiles may be private, but it can still be seen by invisible eyes.

Crazy Findings

             It is confirmed that there are ghosts at New Mexico Military Institute, although there has been speculation for years by passed down stories; one of which consists of a First Sergeant leaving a RAT to die in “Blood Tower” in Hotel Troop corner bedroom. “I don’t usually believe in these stories, but sometimes at night I can feel the tension in the room. It’s almost like someone is here,” says Troop Commander of Hotel Troop, Zach Henderson.

            Another suggestive story includes the NMMI Police Officers. From our information by an anonymous source from YourGhostStories.com, an officer four years ago was walking through Cahoon Armory locking the doors, when he heard footsteps on the basketball gymnasium.

            Many other stories revolve around this subject when referring to New Mexico Military Institute. There are confirmations to these alibis, however.

Looking through the "Sally Port" of the original barracks, the motto of NMMI - "duty", "honor", and "achievement".

While Cadet Caleb Mitchell was on Guard Duty, a time where the cadet has to make announcements for the school, he was given key information by CPT Heinsman. The officer stated, “A television ghost show came to NMMI a few years back. All I know is, whenever they took audio of the mess hall, you can hear the cadets yelling, ‘discipline,’ whenever they took their seats from the Regimental Adjutant. I always thought we had ghosts, but now I know for a fact.”