THE Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps building of Rita H. Inos Junior/Senior High School has been renamed after retired Sgt. Maj. Herman Manglona Atalig for his “untiring and outstanding contributions to the Public School System and to the people of the Commonwealth.”
The renaming of the building was proposed by Senate Local Bill 22-13, now Rota Local Law 22-10. Independent Sen. Teresita A. Santos of Rota authored the measure, which Gov. Ralph DLG Torres signed on July 25, 2022.
Atalig served in the U.S. Army from June 1968 to April 1996.
He was drafted at the age of 20 and was an infantry point man during the Vietnam War.
Atalig also served during the Panama invasion.
Throughout his service, he has held several positions, including as Republic of Korea Marine Ranger and Recondo School instructor; senior drill sergeant instructor and Rutgers University ROTC instructor; sergeant major inspector general; operation sergeant major for forces command; and senior army enlisted advisor for the reserve component on Guam.
He has earned various awards, badges, and commendations for his service.
After 28 years of active duty, Atalig returned to his home island of Rota to serve his community, fulfilling a promise made to his father several years ago.
He then became the senior army instructor at Rita H. Inos High School, where he served for 16 years.
Atalig currently serves on the CNMI Board of Education representing Rota.
The unveiling ceremony for the newly named JROTC building is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 4.
Herman M. Atalig
