Francis De Mulert marched along in step Saturday in graduating from the United States Military Academy in West Point

Remembered for his achievements on the basketball court for Santa Fe Prep, Francis Castillo De Mulert of Cordova has added another honor, this one nationally, when he graduated Saturday from the United States Military Academy in West Point on-the-Hudson in New York state in the commencement attended by President Donald Trump.

Castillo De Mulert received the Military Order of the World War Awards, an honor presented to the West Point graduate who has made the greatest improvement since completion of his first year. Academically at the Academy, he concentrated his studies in psychology and earned a Bachelor of Science in the field.

The son of artist and New Mexico native Paula Castillo and Terry Mulert of Cordova, he was born and raised in the small New Mexico mountain village of Cordova. Back in his days at Santa Fe Prep, he graduated with the class of 2016 and set several school basketball records as a back court starter with gifted versatility.

His plans now include reporting to Fort Benning, Ga., to attend the Basic Officers Leaders Course, and will then be stationed at Fort Wainright, Alaska, in the summer of 2021. As an officer in the Armor branch of the United States Army, he will be a cavalry scout with the 1st Brigade, 28th Division, as a platoon leader for a Stryker Brigade Combat Team operating an eight-wheeled armored Stryker vehicle.

During his time at West Point, Francis became airborne-qualified through summer training in which he successfully completed five parachute jumps that included a nighttime combat jump.

But he didn’t forget basketball as he led the Academy team to the battalion championship game his junior year. In addition, he developed his leadership skills by leading a team of cadets on a community project building homes for Habitat for Humanity.

As for these reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition teams he served with, they are the eyes and ears of the unit in combat situations. This aspect of the StrykerBrigade Combat Team was most appealing to Francis De Mulert, and it’s where he could best envision himself.

From a Griffin to a cadet, he now graduates proudly with honors from one of the most recognized and legendary military schools on the globe.