Press Release
☷WHINSEC Creates Academic Chair for the Roy P Benavidez NCO Academy
U.S. Army ( By Press Release office)
Apr 29,2022
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WHINSEC created the first of three academic chairs in a ceremony on April 28 at the WHINSEC Roy P . Benavidez NCO Academy . The chair was named in honor of CSM Martin R . Barreras , former Institute Operations Sergeant Major . U . S . Army design by SGT Vladimir Varlack Chair named in honor of Command Sergeant Major Martin R . Barreras , former WHINSEC Operations Sergeant Major . Education is a human right with immense power to transform . On its foundation , rest the cornerstones of freedom , democracy and sustainable human development . - - Kofi Annan FORT BENNING , GA – Chartered by Congress in 2000 , the Institute provides professional education and training to eligible personnel from countries of the Western Hemisphere within the context of democratic principles while fostering and promoting mutual knowledge , transparency , confidence , cooperation , values , and respect for human rights . With an enduring dedication to the pursuit of excellence , the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation ( WHINSEC ) offers unparalleled student experiences across a broad spectrum of academic environments . The history and legacy of WHINSEC is rooted in its devotion to excellence in teaching and learning to develop ethical leaders , from across the Joint , Interagency , Intergovernmental , and multinational ( JIIM ) organizations , to prepare them for the uncertainties they will face in today’s global scenarios . With this in mind , the creation of academic and leadership chairs is fundamental to WHINSEC’s long - term strategic vision is to become recognized as a world - class center of excellence in military leadership and academics for our regional partner nations of the Western Hemisphere . The creation of academic chairs will foster Professional Military Education ( PME ) and Joint Professional Military Education ( JPME ) policy and changes to ensure that WHINSEC schools maintain focus on providing graduates the initial knowledge and skills to prepare them for service as warfighting joint leaders , staff officers and strategists for warfighting scenarios in the 21st century . The Chairperson will be the driving force to develop a collaborative work environment to ensure that instructors are ready to teach and students are ready to learn . To that effect , Thursday , members of the Institute came together as the first Academic Chair was instituted at the Roy P . Benavidez NCO Academy . This initial chair recognizes the significant contributions made by a legendary US Army NCO to further the education and leadership qualities of Non - Commissioned Officers of the U . S . Army and the NCOs from allied nations . WHINSEC created the first of three academic chairs in a ceremony on April 28 at the WHINSEC Roy P . Benavidez NCO Academy . The chair was named in honor of CSM Martin R . Barreras , former Institute Operations Sergeant Major . Based on this criterion , CSM Martin R . Barreras was selected . Barreras started his military career began in 1983 , initially serving five years with the U . S . Marine Corps , where he served five years . In 1988 , he enlisted in the Army as an infantryman and attended airborne school and the 75th Ranger Regiment Regimental Indoctrination Program at Fort Benning , Georgia . He served with 22 years with distinction in the 1st Ranger Battalion , 2nd Ranger Battalion and the 3rd Ranger Battalion , 75th Ranger Regiment . Additionally , Barreras served as the command sergeant major of the U . S . Army Marksmanship Unit , and as Senior Instructor with the School of Leadership and Tactics and the Operations Sergeant Major at WHINSEC . In March 2013 , he was assigned as the Command Sergeant Major to the 2nd Battalion , 5th Infantry Regiment , 3rd Brigade Combat Team , 1st Armored Division . His battalion deployed to Afghanistan in December 2013 . On May 13 , 2014 , Command Sergeant Major Martin Barreras , died at the San Antonio Military Medical Center in Texas from wounds suffered in Herat province , Afghanistan , when enemy forces attacked his unit with small arms fire . He is buried at the South Lawn Memorial Cemetery in Tucson , Arizona . The Barreras family has granted permission to use the name of CSM Martin R . Barreras for NCOA Chair in Leadership and Academic Excellence . Present at the ceremony was Andy Barreras , CSM Barreras’ brother . As their parents , Ray & Gloria Barreras and Barreras’ sons watched the ceremony virtually , he addressed those in attendance and talked about his brother . WHINSEC created the first of three academic chairs in a ceremony on April 28 at the WHINSEC Roy P . Benavidez NCO Academy . The chair was named in honor of CSM Martin R . Barreras , former Institute Operations Sergeant Major . U . S . Army photo by SGT Vladimir Varlack “Marty was the son , the father , the brother . Like military coins , he had two distinct sides . CSM Marty Barreras had a vast amount number of accolades . He was involved in a lot of missions , battles and adventures in his military career . The Greek philosopher , Heraclitus stated , regarding battle of warriors , out of 100 men , ten should not even fight , eighty are just targets , nine are real fighters , but that one , that one is a warrior , he will bring those back . CSM Barreras was that one , a true leader of men , a Ranger ' s Ranger , and in every sense of the word , a warrior . I want to introduce you to Marty , the other side of this coin . He was a brother , a father . Born in 1962 , first of three boys born to Ray and Gloria Barreras . Although raised in the bad side of town , he managed to stay out of trouble . In school , he lettered in various sports and chorus ensemble . He married , raised three beautiful children . He was also a Tio ( uncle ) very dedicated to his nieces . In a starch contrast of what he was as a military man , Marty would come home , sit on his favorite recliner with a Pepsi and Oreos . He was not the go - go - go military man , he was Tio , playing with his nieces . The kids loved it . He was an amazing brother , a role model , lay - back and kept everyone laughing . Those two sides of Marty and CSM Barreras made him a whole man . Compassionate , carrying , understanding , determination , strength , love wisdom , faith in God , allowed the two sides to co - exist . I want to end with a quote from Gen . George S . Patton , "It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men that died , rather we should thank God such men lived . Thank you for this honor you are doing for CSM Barreras , my brother Marty , Thank you very much . " WHINSEC created the first of three academic chairs in a ceremony on April 28 at the WHINSEC Roy P . Benavidez NCO Academy . The chair was named in honor of CSM Martin R . Barreras , former Institute Operations Sergeant Major . Here , COL Rob Armstrong , presents a memento to Mr . Andy Barreras , CSM Barreras ' brother in gratitude for his remarks . U . S . Army photo by SPC Jaden Witt In honor of the CSM Martin R . Barreras Academic Leadership Chair , former Colombian Armed Forces Senior Enlisted Advisor , CSM ( RET ) Argemiro Posso Rivera has been appointed as the honorary professor to fill the NCO Academy Academic Chair . Posso , enlisted in the Military School of Non - Commissioned Officers , Sergeant Inocencio Chinca on Sept . 13 , 1986 . On Sept . 1 , 1987 , he was promoted to Corporal within the Engineer branch . After a long career in various military positions and serving in different divisions , on August 29 , 2015 , the Commander of the Colombian Army , General Alberto José Mejía Ferrero , appointed Command Sergeant Major Argemiro Posso Rivera as the Sergeant Major of the Army . He was subsequently appointed the first Senior Enlisted Advisor of the Colombian Military Forces , and then was promoted to the rank of Sergeant Major of Joint Command on March 1 , 2018 . During his remarks he commented , “It is an honor and a privilege for this soldier to speak on behalf of the MSG Roy P . Benavidez Noncommissioned Officer Academy , to celebrate a hero of yesterday , today and forever . Honoring the memory of CSM Martin Barreras , is undoubtedly a commitment of honor and at the same time a special opportunity to recognize the hero , the Soldier , the comrade , the instructor and the endearing friend , whose indelible mark is in every corner of our sacred Institute . Barreras contributed with his great professionalism to turn WHINSEC into an international benchmark for Latin America and a torch of professionalism , ethics and leadership , which illuminates the minds and hearts of thousands of men and women who carry with honor the uniforms of their countries , fighting under the postulates of freedom and democracy . I assume with immense gratitude and commitment the Academic Chair on behalf of my brother in arms , CSM Martin Barreras . It is for him , a hero and Soldier of honor that we commit ourselves with all our spirit to promoting the professional development of the NCO Corps of our allies in the Western Hemisphere , based on a high - quality education based on the highest standards of the US Army . USA , with special emphasis on respect for human rights and International Humanitarian Law . Thanks to education and training , our noncommissioned officer leaders have the ability to confront the different multidimensional threats that operate in our region , from terrorism , the fight against crime or transnational crime , among many others . The US Army , through its brave history , has become the beacon and epicenter of the professional development of its noncommissioned officers , which has allowed the generation of an institutional culture that today offers itself as one of the most important best practices for any ground force . Barreras was precisely a hero formed in this environment of dedication and professionalism that the US Army offered him; in addition to the love and patriotism instilled in him within his home . That is why his family will forever be part of our beloved Institution and the source of inspiration for all instructors . HONOR AND GLORY CSM Barreras . ” Mr . Andy Barreras , brother of the late CSM Martin R . Barreras admires the static display in honor of CSM Barreras . Items on display were donated to WHINSEC by the Barreras ' family . The display will occupy its place of honor next to the Roy P . Benavidez static display at the entrance of the NCO academy . As part of the conclusion of the ceremony , CSM José S . Lopez , Institute CSM and WHINSEC NCOA Commandant and Andy Barreras unveiled a display case containing CSM Martin R . Barreras class A uniform and other military memorabilia donated by the Barreras’ family . The display case will take its place of honor next to the Roy P . Benavidez memorabilia display case at the entrance of the academy .
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