COL Miguel Torres Celebrates a 38-year Career & the American Dream

On January 7, 2023, family, friends, and fellow service members traveled from around the country to join in congratulating COL Miguel A. Torres on his successful career of over 38-years with the United States Army. His career resonates with so many Mexican Americans who choose to serve our country.

COL Miguel A. Torres was born in Ciudad Delicias, Chihuahua, Mexico. His family migrated to El Paso, Texas, when he was in the 4th grade not knowing any English but determined to make something of the American Dream. His family was hard working and banned together to help each other to make a better life for themselves in the United States. Unlike many of us he was not born an American citizen but his intent on becoming one was clear in pursuit of the American Dream.

He graduated from Ysleta High School in 1984 in El Paso, Texas, and began his military career in the United States Army in December 1984 with the guidance of his JROTC instructors, LTC Willian Reidy, and SFC Earl Jensen. He attended Basic Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri followed by Advanced Individual Training as a Combat Medic at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. In 1986 he transferred into the Texas Army National Guard in El Paso, Texas. In February 1987 he successfully completed the US immigration process and become a naturalized U.S. citizen and continued to serve in the United States Army.

He received his commission from ROTC at the University of Texas, El Paso in May 1990. He holds a BS in Criminal Justice from the University of Texas-El Paso and a Master’s of Arts in Business Management from Webster University. COL Torres military education includes U.S. Army Airborne School, U.S. Army Infantry Officer Basic Course, U.S. Army Field Artillery Officer Advance Course, Combined Armed Services Staff School, Intermediate Level Education, Recruiting and

Retention Leadership Course, the Field Artillery Pre-Command Course, and the Counterdrug Senior Leadership Course. He also served as the Counterdrug Advisory Chair for the National Counterdrug Program.

From a very young age COL Torres had a desire to serve. While in the Texas Army National Guard, COL Torres also was a Police Officer in El Paso, Texas for ten years and Probation Officer in El Paso, Texas for two years. He entered the AGR program as the Commander for Region IV in San Antonio, TX with the Recruiting and Retention Battalion in March 2006. COL Torres’ assignments throughout his career have been enhanced because of his prior civilian experience as a Police Officer.

COL Torres’ assignments in 3-133rd Field Artillery Battalion include Fire Support Officer, Battalion Motor Officer, Battery Commander, Battalion S4, Battalion Fire Direction Officer and Battalion Commander. He served as the Commander Region IV Airport Security (Operation Noble Eagle) and Rear Detachment Commander of 3-133rd Field Artillery Battalion in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) III. While a member of 1-133rd Field Artillery Battalion he served as Battalion S3 and Executive Officer. He also served as the Region IV Commander & Executive Officer in the Recruiting & Retention Battalion. COL Torres deployed as Installation Director 72nd JASG in support of OIF 09-10, Bagdad, Iraq. He also served as the branch Manager, Family Support Services and Program Coordinator for the Texas Joint Counterdrug Task Force. His final assignment was as the Deputy Chief for the Joint Staff for the Texas Military Department.

Some of COL Torres’ awards and decoration include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters,

U.S. Army Parachutist Badge, Basic Recruiters Badge, Texas Superior Service Medal and the Order of Saint Barbara.

During his retirement ceremony COL Torres was grateful and thankful to the many service members, friends, and agency partners in attendance. He explained to them that his success in his military career has only been because of all the support and mentoring he has received along the way from family, friends, fellow service members, and most of all by the Grace of God. He further stated that the National Guard is a great product and a great place to serve. He emphasized that it is important to surround yourself with smarter people than you, who work hard, and are dedicated to taking care of people and mission success. “I learned at a very young age that hard work pays off and I have tried to share that with those I have served with along the way. It has not always been easy, but I refused to give up,” said Torres. H

COMMISSARY EXPANDS ELIGIBILITY & SERVICES

If you did not retire from the National Guard, did you know that you may still be eligible to use the commissary? The Department of Defense expanded commissary shopping privileges in the U.S. effective January 1, 2020, as part of the Purple Heart and Disabled Veterans Equal Access Act of 2018. Access was expanded to include:

• Veterans with any service-connected disability

• Purple Heart recipients

• Former Prisoners of war

• Individuals approved and designated as the primary family caregivers of eligible Veterans under the Department of Veterans Affairs Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers https://commissaries.com/extended-eligibility

Most local commissaries are also offering “Click To Go” online ordering. Order your groceries online and pick them up at your local commissary. Visit the commissary website for additional details on eligibility and online ordering.