amy.thompson

Corps Announces 2024-2025 Flag Award Winners

April 7, 2025 by amy.thompson

Outstanding Corps Color Guard Award, sponsored by the United Services Automobile Association (USAA), the award is presented to the color guard that accrued the highest rating in graded march-ins and reviews. The award is named for Lieutenant General Ormond R. Simpson, a member of the Corps of Cadets, Class of ’36.

1st Regiment Color Guard

Outstanding Major Unit Staff Award, established and sponsored by USAA, this award is presented to the Major Unit Staff achieving the highest cumulative total point ratings derived from academics, military proficiency, inspections and physical fitness tests.

1st Regiment Staff

The Commandant’s Flag, sponsored by The Comal County A&M Mothers’ Club to recognize the outstanding university involvement/proficiency and Career Readiness activities of the members of a company, squadron, or battery.

1st Place Squadron 23
2nd Place Squadron 17
3rd Place Squadron 6

The Robert M. Gates Public Service Award, endowed by Gerald Ray and Donald Zale, the award was established to recognize the outstanding public service of a company, squadron, or battery.

1st Place Squadron 17
2nd Place Squadron 12
3rd Place Squadron 6

The J.J. Sanchez Recruiting and Retention Award, sponsored by The Austin Texas A&M Mothers’ Club, the award was established to recognize the outstanding recruiting and retention achievement of a company, squadron, or battery. The award is named in memory of former cadet J.J. Sanchez ’93.

1st Place A Battery
2nd Place C Company
3rd Place Company E-2

The George P.F. Jouine Award, sponsored by The Houston A&M University Mothers’ Club, the award was established to recognize the outstanding academic achievement of a company, squadron, or battery. The award is named for George P.F. Jouine, Class of ’07.

1st Place Squadron 23
2nd Place Delta Company
3rd Place Company B-1

The Bruno A. Hochmuth Award, endowed by Colonel Max and Judy Cottrell through the Eternal Aggie Corps Endowment, the award was established to recognize outstanding achievement in military proficiency, inspections and physical fitness standards of a company, squadron, or battery. The award is named for Major General Bruno A. Hochmuth, U.S. Marine Corps, Class of ’35,

1st Place Company C-2
2nd Place Company G-1
3rd Place Company P-2

The Taylor A. Gillespie Most Improved Outfit Award, sponsored by the Friends of Taylor’s Place, the award is presented to the company, squadron, or battery demonstrating the greatest overall improvement from one year to the next. The award is named for former Cadet Taylor Gillespie ‘11

1st Place Squadron 1
2nd Place Company F-2
3rd Place Squadron 18

The President’s Flag, sponsored by Texas A&M University President, the award was established to recognize the outstanding Minor Unit as it relates to Scholastic and Military Proficiency as well Recruiting and Retention and cadet activities.

6th Battalion

The General George F. Moore Outstanding Unit Award, endowed by Gerald and Susan Sullivan, the award was established in 1946 to recognize the outstanding company, squadron, or battery in the Corps of Cadets. The award is named for General George F. Moore, U.S. Army, Class of ’08.

1st Place Company E-2
2nd Place Squadron 23
3rd Place Company C-2

Texas A&M Corps of Cadets Announces 2025-2026 Leadership

March 7, 2025 by amy.thompson

Eleven students representing three states and eight Texas cities will assume the highest senior leadership roles in the Corps of Cadets next year.

COLLEGE STATION, Mar. 7, 2025 – Texas A&M’s largest, oldest, and most visible student organization—the Corps of Cadets—has selected their top leadership for the 2025-2026 school year. Cadets completed a thorough selection process that consisted of an interest application and multiple interviews with a panel of cadet peers and staff.

Three cadets were identified to fill the senior-level leadership positions of Corps Commander, Deputy Corps Commander and Corps Sergeant Major:

Corps Commander: John Andruss, Victoria, Texas.
Deputy Corps Commander: Jackson Powell, Houston, Texas.
Sergeant Major: Jonathan Varnan, Rowlett, Texas.

Eight cadets were selected to serve as Major Unit Commanders or Sergeants Major for the Corps’ four major units:

1st Brigade Commander: Madison Cronin, Hot Springs, Arkansas.
1st Brigade Sergeant Major: Ethan Hernandez, Frisco, Texas.
1st Regiment Commander: Melody Bratcher, Fort Worth, Texas.
1st Regiment Sergeant Major: Mackenzie Cronin, Hot Springs, Arkansas.
1st Wing Commander: Kayla Parker, Colorado Springs, Colorado.
1st Wing Sergeant Major: Michael Elgohary, Katy, Texas.
Aggie Band Commander: Avery Owens, Northlake, Texas.
Aggie Band Sergeant Major: Anthony Mabins, San Antonio, Texas.

The 2025-2026 cadet leaders will assume their roles for the upcoming school year during the second pass of Final Review on April 26, 2025.

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Media contact: Amy Thompson, Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets, 979-862-1922, [email protected].

Texas A&M Corps of Cadets Completes 46th Annual March to the Brazos

April 25, 2022 by amy.thompson

Last Saturday morning, 2,000 members of the Corps stepped off for the 46th annual March to the Brazos. Each year, the Corps of Cadets conducts the March to the Brazos to raise money for designated non-profit organizations. On Saturday, the Corps of Cadets marched the 18-mile round trip in support of 4 local non-profit organizations: Scotty’s House, the Brazos Valley Food Bank, Twin City Mission and Habitat for Humanity.

While cadets marched to raise awareness for these 4 non-profits on Saturday, they spent the last school year volunteering with and assisting these non-profits. From organizing collection drives for canned food and clothing, to raising awareness on the impacts of child abuse, our cadets have provided hands on support.

This year, the Corps of Cadets raised a grand total of $33,572.68 that will be distributed amongst the four non-profits. The Corps’ top fundraising outfit, Company E-1, raised over $5,000 for Habitat for Humanity.

Though this year’s fundraising efforts have come to a close, the Corps of Cadets continues to encourage those that are interested in donating to learn more about these non-profits at https://corps.tamu.edu/mttb/.

Norman J. York II ’57, USA

March 30, 2022 by amy.thompson

Norman J. York ’57 received his BS in education from Texas A&M and an MBA from Boston University. He was a member of E Infantry, the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band, and a Singing Cadet. He joined the Texas National Guard, where he served for eight years, the last two as Battalion Sergeant Major of the First Battalion of the 143^rd Regiment of the 36^th Infantry Division. York is president of York Career Development, Inc., founded in 1997 and formed The Leadership Forum organization which he chaired for 10 years. Norman has written and published four books: Using Your Inner Power to Find Meaningful Work, Thriving in The Changing Workplace, The Successful Entrepreneur, Second Edition, and Recareering for the Second Half of Life. Norman held board positions as treasurer for Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Society, chairman of the Senior Aggie Leadership Council of Austin, and the Corps Development Council.

Colonel Julia Arthur ’81, USA

March 30, 2022 by amy.thompson

Colonel Julia Arthur ’81 received her BS in agricultural economics from Texas A&M. She earned a varsity letter and was a member of the Southwest Conference champion rifle team in ’80 and ’81. She was a member of the fourth fish class of women in the Corps and went on to serve as 1^ST Sergeant and Commanding Officer of Company W-1. A Distinguished Military Graduate, Arthur was commissioned in the Army Finance Corps. As a reserve officer she was an instructor for the Army Command and General Staff Officers Course and retired as the Deputy Chief of Staff Comptroller at the 75^th Division. She owned and operated Campbell-Wise Travel for 25 years. She is currently the budget officer at the US Army Institute of Surgical Research where she was selected Civilian Employee of the Year in 2018. She has served on the board of directors of the Corps of Cadets Association. She is a charter member of the Women’s Former Student Network and is an Aggie Corps Recruiter. An avid golfer, Arthur has served as events director and president of the San Antonio chapter of the LPGA Amateur Golf Association.