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They are identified by the sea of khaki uniforms, click of metal spurs, 5 a.m. wake-up calls, physical training, yells in unison and embodiment of professionalism.

     The Texas A&M Corps of Cadets is historically the largest, most visible student organization in Aggieland, dating back to the university’s military roots in 1876 and for more than 140 years the Corps has preserved traditions and been the face of Aggieland.

     Cadets in the Corps are known as the “Keepers of the Spirit” and “Guardians of Tradition” because of the unique spirit and traditions that originated in the Corps and are still upheld today. These identifying names are posted on buildings overlooking the Corps of Cadets Quad, or simply known as the Quad, to serve as constant reminders of the organization’s purpose.

     “The Corps is one of those undying things that A&M will always have,” said Paul Sayers, meteorology senior and Squadron 1 Commanding Officer. “The student body is going to change. The politics around the school are going to change. But what’s always going to be here and what will always be consistent is the Corps of Cadets. So that’s something that you can always look to and see in the foundation of A&M.”

     The Corps is made up of about 2,400 cadets and 46 units, each catering to unique traits, offerings and military 

standards. Cadets live with their units among 12 dorms on the Quad. Each cadet holds a different name and rank based on class year or years of experience in the Corps.

     Freshman cadets are called fish, 

only earning a capital “F” to become a

By Emily Bost

 their first year. Sophomore cadets are referred to as “pissheads,” juniors are “butts,” and seniors are “zips,” because the braids on their hats look like zippers. With each year comes a different leadership role and set of responsibilities.

     “You see yourself having to be an instructor, intense and angry sometimes as a sophomore, to being kind of an indirect leader as a junior,” said Robert Ramirez, political science

senior and First Wing Public Relations and Recruiting Sergeant. “It’s been a really cool opportunity to learn more about myself and watch others learn from their mistakes. It’s just one giant leadership laboratory. You’re constantly exposed to different styles of leadership and given opportunities to put your own spin on things and it’s amazing. I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat.”

     With 5 a.m. wake-up calls each morning, cadets become accustomed to starting their days early for either physical training, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, schoolwork, 

or breakfast with their buddies.

According to Sayers, “Smoke ‘em” is a term used by upperclassmen to describe challenging PT that pushes

lowerclassmen physically, or “smokes ‘em,” by working them very hard.

     “The biggest thing is adapting to changes,” Sayers said. “People are going to yell at you and get on to you when you do things wrong, it’s something that you just have to accept early on. It’s kind of like trial by fire; dealing with that stress and still being successful academically, physically and staying mentally strong.”

     “Whipping out” is one of the traditions freshmen cadets must become accustomed to when joining the Corps. It essentially teaches freshmen to not be afraid to approach and introduce themselves to someone they do not know. When on the Quad,

freshmen are required to sprint up to any upperclassmen they have not yet met, look them in the eye, shake their hands firmly and sound off by giving their name, according to Springer.

     “The idea behind that — and I’ve

heard a lot of Old Aggies talk about this — is that it sets Aggies apart in that we’re not afraid to walk up to someone and introduce ourselves,” Springer said. “I’ve heard stories of people getting jobs just because when they walked in, the first thing they did was shake a hand and make eye contact.”

     Because the Corps is a premiere leadership and military training program, an average of 40 to 45 percent of cadets choose to pursue a military commission in the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps. Ramirez joined the Corps specifically with an Air Force scholarship to train to become an officer.

     “The Corps has been making officers for about 140 years … I knew it was a great place to come,” Ramirez said. The friendships and bonds cultivated within the organization is one of the most significant aspects of membership within the Corps of Cadets. The terms “brotherhood” and “family” were used by Ramirez to describe his relationships with his fellow cadets.

     “There’s a Ronald Reagan quote about standing on the shoulders of the generation before you, and I think that for me, that quote kind of sums up my life and experience in the Corps of Cadets,” Springer said. “I get to be the commanding officer of my outfit, but it’s not because I’m such a great leader or that I’ve worked so hard to achieve it, it’s because there have been other people pouring into me my whole life and throughout my whole time in the Corps that have helped me become the person that I needed to be to fill that role.”

The Corps of Cadets
KEEPERS OF THE SPIRIT
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