Across The Quad: The Keepers of The Ring

Within the Corps of Cadets, there are 41 different home units that students may join.  Each of these units, also referred to as “outfits”, are unique with their own personalities, traditions and special focuses. 

For Company A-2, their identity is strongly rooted in the Aggie Ring, with members of the unit known as the “Keepers of the Ring”. A-2’s tie to the iconic Aggie symbol is showcased through the unit’s distinctive Ring Day efforts. 

In the days before each Ring Day, A-2 cadets coordinate with The Association of Former Students to determine an evening for the unit to clean the Haynes Aggie Ring Statue. The statue, which has sat in the Association’s Haynes Ring Plaza since 2009, is central to each Ring Day, serving as a popular photo location for new ring recipients and a physical symbol of the Aggie Network. 

“Cleaning the ring is a unit wide effort, with each class year contributing to the process in their own way. We clean the statue to symbolically and physically support the student body during this important weekend for them,” Victoria Lord ‘25, Executive Officer of Company A-2, said. 

Each member of the outfit has a unique role in the cleaning of the statue, determined by their classification. 

“Typically we let the freshmen do the ‘fun stuff’ like actually cleaning the ring and scrubbing it down because as the newest members of A-2, they’re the most excited to clean it and should be inducted into our family whenever possible. The sophomores and juniors supervise and pitch in when they can, while the seniors have the exclusive privilege of cleaning the top of the ring,” Nicolas Brannstrom ‘25, Commanding Officer of Company A-2, explained.

“The sophomores and juniors in the operations and logistics chain contact the Association and plan a good time for us to go out, and it is the senior class’ responsibility to set a good tone and get everyone excited for the event,” Brannstrom continued.

For those in the unit who have received their rings, this unique act of service carries a more personal meaning.

“As someone who has earned their ring, it means a lot to see the statue all shined and beautiful, not to mention how happy it made my mom,” Robert Early ‘26, and A-2’s First Platoon Sergeant, said. 

Members of Company A-2 are also highly encouraged by outfit leadership to volunteer on Ring Day as their schedules permit. 

“Volunteers on Ring Day serve in a variety of roles. When we put our names on the volunteer sheet we’re told where to go and what to do. This past ring day Mia Palacios ‘27 and I were indoor ushers and crowd control, while Thomas Koch ‘28 and others were holding signs outside and ushering families into the building. We serve where we can and we always show up to celebrate cadets that we know who are getting their rings as well,” Brannstromm said. 

“We take pride in serving others on Ring Day because that’s just what good Aggies do: celebrate with our fellow Aggies whether we know them personally or not. We also get to see the fruits of our labor, seeing students take pictures with the ring that we just shined days before really puts our efforts into perspective,” he continued.

Though unique in its unit-specific traditions, Company A-2’s efforts play into the Corps’ identity as Texas A&M’s “Keepers of the Spirit” and “Guardians of Tradition”.

“When you join the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets, you’re taking on a challenge by choice. There are countless other leadership organizations on this campus and countless ROTCs around the nation, but our dedication to tradition here make us one of a kind,” Early said. 

“The ring is a symbol of our values. Whenever I see the Aggie ring outside of College Station, I can’t help but feel like I’ve run into a family member. Making the largest ring on display looking its best is a great way to live the core values. We are lucky we are Aggies, as our essence is to serve others."