Corps of Cadets
The Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M
University has a rich heritage spanning 125 years of graduating
outstanding officers for the Armed Forces of the United States.
From the Spanish-American War through the most recent expeditions
in defense of freedom, thousands of Aggies of all ranks, including
more than 225 Generals and Admirals, have served our nation in
war and peace. Seven Aggies have been awarded our nation's highest
honor for wartime valor, the Medal of Honor.
The Aggie Corps of Cadets constitutes
the nation's largest uniformed body of students outside the federally-supported
service academies. Competition for admittance to these historic
academies is fierce. Once entrance is gained, cadets and midshipmen,
destined to become our top military leaders, experience the demands
and invaluable rewards of a 24-hour per day, 7-day per week military
and academic regimen.
Complementing the service academies are
the highly-regarded "24/7" military programs of six
private and state universities. These institutions--Texas A&M
University, Norwich University, The Virginia Military Institute,
The Citadel, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University,
and North Georgia College and State University--are designated
by federal law as "Senior Military Colleges." In their
support, Congress has observed, "The quality of the military
leaders produced by the senior military colleges is, in part,
the result of the rigorous military environment imposed on students
attending the senior military colleges by the colleges, as well
as the result of the longstanding close support relationship
between the Corps of Cadets at each college and the Reserve Officer
Training Corps (ROTC) personnel at the colleges who serve as
effective leadership role models and mentors."
Established in 1916, our nation's ROTC
program has long been a primary training resource for college
students seeking to become commissioned officers in the United
States Armed Forces. Most colleges and universities nationwide
do not maintain a Corps of Cadets and ROTC programs are largely
limited to once-a-week, afternoon training sessions. Along with
the other Senior Military Colleges, Texas A&M is committed
to the "24/7" Service Academy regimen as critical to
the ability to consistently provide substantial numbers of highly
qualified, long-serving leaders to the Armed Forces.
The training received within the Corps
of Cadets at Texas A&M University is the essence of the enabling
and distinctive hallmark that indelibly marks an Aggie Officer.
The distinctive, well deserved reputation that identify an Aggie
Officer throughout a career of service to the nation is closely
linked with the character-enriching training that has long been
part of the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets. Although membership
in the Corps of Cadets is voluntary, all freshmen and sophomore
Cadets are required to enroll in either Army, Air Force or Navy/Marine
ROTC programs. No active duty military commitment is incurred
by participation in the first two years of ROTC training.
After two years, each Cadet has the opportunity
to apply for a Commission in the U.S. military upon graduation.
Cadets who elect to remain in the Corps but do not wish to pursue
a military commission are subject to the same discipline, policies,
requirements, training and administration as those preparing
for active military duty. The University's commitment to providing
highly skilled and disciplined leaders to the Armed Forces requires
all students enrolled in ROTC programs at Texas A&M University
to be members of the Corps of Cadets. Additionally, ROTC participants
must be Corps members to enroll in Military Science courses.
Freshmen in the Corps normally enroll
during the summer at their New Student Conferences but may enroll
at other times through the Office of the Commandant. Members
of the Corps are guaranteed a room in a Corps residence hall.
Prospective cadets should complete a residence hall application
indicating they plan to participate in the Corps of Cadets.
Responsibility for establishing policy
governing the operations of the Corps of Cadets including organization,
training, discipline and administration is vested in the Commandant
of Cadets. The Commandant is selected and appointed by the President
of Texas A&M University and the Vice President for Student
Affairs, acting under authority delegated by the Texas A&M
System Board of Regents. For more information, please call 1-800-826-8247.
Corps Activities
The objective of the Corps of Cadets
is to offer a sound collegiate education as well as training
for both mind and body under strict military discipline. Administering
this military discipline and its extension to all phases of the
cadet's nonacademic life is distinctive at Texas A&M. Corps
students are organized into military units and observe military
practices. With few exceptions all members of the Corps live
under identical conditions. Rooms are assigned on the basis of
unit affiliation. Dormitories and dining facilities are provided
for the exclusive use of the Corps. From reveille to taps, the
hours of the cadet's time are accounted for, with emphasis placed
on the development of regular study habits. Attention to duty,
obedience to authority and an appreciation for order are instilled
and are considered among the most valuable features of the Corps
of Cadets experience.
During their freshman year, cadets receive
demanding training under the leadership of upperclass cadets.
All such training is under the general supervision of the Commandant.
All cadets wear the prescribed uniform
while on campus during the regular school year. As far as possible,
all artificial distinctions based on wealth, position or influence
are minimized and each cadet is encouraged to achieve his or
her place by individual merit. All cadets are rated by the same
standards and there are a wide range of opportunities for each
to develop in accordance with personal needs and aptitudes.
Cadet organizations which provide added
opportunities for development include the Fightin' Texas Aggie
Band, the largest military marching band in the United States;
Rudder's Rangers; Parsons' Mounted Cavalry; Ross Volunteer Company;
Simpson Honor Society; and Corps Center Guard, to name just a
few.
All Corps activities, including all those
listed above, are open to all qualified applicants regardless
of race or gender.
The Fightin' Texas Aggie Band
"The Pulse of the Spirit of Aggieland" is
nationally famous for its precision marching on the football
gridiron. The band also provides music for military reviews,
parades, yell practices, special events on and off campus, as
well as other athletic contests. As an integral part of Texas
A&M University's Corps of Cadets, the band operates under
strict military guidelines. All members of the Fightin' Texas
Aggie Band are required to be in the Corps of Cadets and are
housed in Corps of Cadets dormitories, which are adjacent to
the band's own drill field and the E.V. Adams Band Building.
Band cadets may join either the Army, Air Force or Navy/Marine
ROTC programs.
Interested new students must have had
high school band experience and pass a playing audition during
their new student conference. Students are encouraged to bring
their own instruments although a number of University-owned instruments
are available. Members receive credit for required KINE 199 by
participating in the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band. Members are also
eligible to apply for numerous scholarships offered through the
Corps of Cadets and ROTC programs. For more information, please
call (979) 845-3529.
