The High School population at New Mexico Military Institute generally includes cadets from over forty-two different states. The Corps of Cadets at New Mexico Military Institute has its own chain of command which is responsible to the Commandant of Cadets and his staff. He and his staff are responsible to the Superintendent for the organization, control, discipline, training, health and welfare of the Corps of Cadets. The Corps of Cadets is organized as a regiment of cavalry, emanating from the school's cavalry tradition. Each squadron has five troops with two platoons of three to four squads each.
All cadet officers are college cadets.
The Corps of Cadets has an honor system and strives to instill in every cadet the highest standards of personal integrity. The system belongs to the Corps of Cadets but operates under the sanction of the Commandant of Cadets. High School cadets entering the Corps of Cadets for the first time are new cadets for two semesters. The new cadet environment is stressful, formal, strict and just. All cadets are held strictly accountable for their actions.