An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Sept. 21, 2023

Puerto Rico Guard Youth Program Develops Future Leaders

By 2nd Lt. Eliezer Soto, 156th Wing

PONCE, Puerto Rico - More than 220 cadets with the Puerto Rico Youth ChalleNGe Academy graduated from the 22-week educational program with their high school diplomas and certificates in vocational or technical courses Sept. 15.

“The Youth ChalleNGe Academy Program has changed the lives of thousands of youths who — for one reason or another — abandoned their studies and saw in the Academy the opportunity to grow and develop, acquiring life skills and technical skills,” said Maj. Gen. Miguel Méndez, adjutant general of Puerto Rico. “I congratulate each of these 223 youths who have taken this important step toward their future. “

The academy has graduated more than 8,000 young cadets in 24 years. It provides 16- to 18-year-olds who are dropouts or at risk with discipline in a quasi-military environment by focusing on academic education, leadership, physical training, personal growth and community service.

“Our academy is focused on rescuing youths from becoming school deserters or who are at risk, transforming their lives with useful tools so that they may continue studying or to help them join the workforce,” said Matilde Almodóvar Acosta, Youth ChalleNGe Academy director.

“Family is an essential part of our training,” said Edgardo Soto, the academy’s public affairs and community coordinator. “We integrate parents through workshops about diverse topics while we train their children, which promotes a family and community environment in our academy that provides the necessary support to our cadets.”

Senior Airman Héctor López Rosa, a financial management technician with 156th Comptroller Flight, Puerto Rico Air National Guard, said the program had a positive impact on his son, Cadet Jan López.

“I am extremely happy and proud of him and know that great things are coming for him in the future,” he said.

Cadet López said he experienced frustrations at the beginning of the course but persevered, thanks to the support of his family and academy mentors.

“Being away from my family was my biggest challenge during this program, but it also motivated me to overcome any situation and complete the ultimate goal: graduating,” said Cadet López. 
 

 

 

Related Articles
U.S. Airmen assigned to the 156th Civil Engineer Squadron, Puerto Rico Air National Guard, secure a tent outer tarp during a Disaster Relief Beddown System build up at Muñiz Air National Guard Base, Carolina, Puerto Rico, Feb. 27, 2025. The 156th CES Airmen assembled the DRBS, which can shelter 150 people in case of a disaster, as a training opportunity in preparation for the March regularly scheduled drill.
156th Wing Airmen Train with Disaster Relief Beddown System
By Senior Airman Gisselle Toro Caraballo, | March 17, 2025
MUÑIZ AIR BASE NATIONAL AIR GUARD, Puerto Rico - U.S. Airmen assigned to the 156th Wing, Puerto Rico Air National Guard, trained to deploy a Disaster Relief Beddown System (DRBS) and sustain operations from Feb. 27 to March...

U.S. Airmen assigned to the 156th Contingency Response Group, Puerto Rico Air National Guard, listen to instructions for tactical gear issue during the Mothball 2 Combat Readiness Exercise at Muñiz Air National Guard Base, Carolina, Puerto Rico, March 7, 2025. The exercise measured  the 156th Wing’s ability to generate, employ and sustain contingency response capabilities in a war-fighting scenario.
Puerto Rico Air Guard Wing Conducts Combat Readiness Exercise
By Senior Airman Sharymel Montalvo Velez, | March 14, 2025
MUÑIZ AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Puerto Rico - U.S. Airmen assigned to the 156th Wing, Puerto Rico Air National Guard, conducted the Mothball 2 Combat Readiness Exercise March 6-9 at Carolina.The exercise measured the wing’s...

Pfc. Anamaris Irizarry Torres, center, with her father, Maj. Cesar Irizarry, second from left; mother, Nydia Torres, second from right; Recruiting and Retention Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin Ortiz, left; and Master Sgt. Leydanil Robles, right, Recruiting and Retention, A Company Operations NCO, following Irizarry's recruitment.
Puerto Rico Guard Recruiting Commander’s Daughter Enlists
By Siul Lopez Morales, | Nov. 13, 2024
FORT BUCHANAN, Puerto Rico – Maj. Cesar Irizarry, the new Puerto Rico Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion commander, welcomed his daughter into the PRARNG. Pfc. Irizarry Torres enlisted as a human resources...