Retired effective December 2, 1999
Major General Melvyn S.
Montano is adjutant general for the New Mexico National Guard. He commands the Army and
Air National Guard, as well as serves as the commander of the State Defense Force. In
addition to his federal duties, General Montano serves as military chief of
staff to the
Governor and as the Governor's principal advisor on military affairs. He is also the
president of the State Armory Board and provides oversight for the New Mexico Civil Air
Patrol.
General Montano provided 16 years of enlisted service before he received a direct commission as a first lieutenant with the 150th Tactical Fighter Group. While assigned to this unit he served in several positions as a supply operations officer and equipment control officer until he assumed command of 150th Resource Management Squadron and reassigned as deputy commander for resources in August 1987. In May 1988, he became the vice commander for the 150th TFG. Major General Montano is a Vietnam veteran having served in the 431st Munitions Maintenance Squadron in 1968. He was assigned as the assistant adjutant general (air) in April 1992 and appointed to his current position in December 1994. He served as a member of the ANG Supply Requirements and Review Committee for NGB from 1973 - 1976. He was chairman of the Resource Management Advisory Committee for NGB from 1989 - 1991.
1972 Bachelor of science degree in business administration, University of
Albuquerque, Albuquerque, N.M.
1973 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
1975 Master of arts degree in business management, New Mexico, Highlands University.
1981 Master of arts degree in public administration, University of New Mexico.
1983 National Security Management Course, by correspondence
1999 John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Boston, Mass.
1. March 1970 - May 1970, aerospace munitions officer, 150th Consolidated
Maintenance Squadron, Kirkland Air Force Base, N.M.
2. April 1970 - July 1971, supply operations officer, 150th Tactical Fighter Group,
Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.
3. July 1971 - August 1972, equipment control officer, 150th Tactical Fighter Group,
Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.
4. August 1972 - July 1973, supply operations officer, 150th Tactical Fighter Group,
Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.
5. July 1973 - June 1975, equipment control officer, 150th Tactical Fighter Group,
Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.
6. June 1975 - December 1975, supply management and procurement officer, 150th Tactical
Fighter Group, Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.
7. December 1975 - June 1977, supply operations officer, 150th Tactical Fighter Group,
Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.
8. June 1977 - October 1978, supply management staff officer, 150th Tactical Fighter
Group, Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.
9. October 1978 - July 1979, chief of supply, 150th Tactical Fighter Group, Kirtland Air
Force Base, N.M.
10. July 1979 - May 1984, commander, 150th Supply Squadron, Kirtland Air Force Base,
N.M.
11. May 1984 - August 1987, commander , 150th Resource Management Squadron Kirtland Air
Force Base, N.M.
12. August 1987 - May 1988, deputy commander for resources, 150th Tactical Fighter Group,
Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.
13. May 1988 - April 1982, vice commander, 150th Tactical Fighter Group, Kirtland Air
Force Base, N.M.
14. April 1992 - December 1994, assistant adjutant general, Headquarters New Mexico Air
National Guard, Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.
15. December 1994 - December 1999, adjutant general, Headquarters New Mexico National Guard,
Santa Fe, N.M.
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal
Presidential Unit Citation
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with "V" and two bronze oak leaf clusters
Air Force organizational Excellence Award
Air Force Good Conduct Medal
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star
Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze stars
Air Force Overseas Ribbon-short
Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with one silver and three bronze oak leaf
clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with two hourglass devices
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with one bronze star
Air Force Training Ribbon
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Received two National Guard Bureau Minuteman Awards for Meritorious Service while serving as a member of the ANG Supply Requirements and Review Committee 1973-1976 and as the chairman of the ANG Resource Managers Advisory Council, 1989-1991. Distinguished Public Administration Alumnus, 1996. American Society of Public Administration, New Mexico Chapter, University of New Mexico School of Public Administration. Lay Eucharistic Minister: Our Lady of the Annunciation Church. Knight: Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, (Papal Order). Member of the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce. Board of Trustees, Catholic Foundation, Archdiocese of Santa Fe.
First Lieutenant Mar 11, 1970
Captain Mar 11, 1972
Major Apr 25, 1976
Lieutenant Colonel Jul 13, 1980
Colonel Jun 12, 1988
Brigadier General Mar 11, 1993
Major General Jan 26, 1996
(Current as of December 1999)
The date of publication indicated on this biography reflects the most recent update. It does not necessarily reflect the date of printing.