By Robin Nelson ‘22, Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets – July 9th, 2025
Texas A&M’s oldest and largest student organization, the Corps of Cadets, is rooted in a legacy of service to the country. This legacy grew when Texas A&M’s military service requirement became optional in 1965, and the Corps evolved to consistently produce leaders of character who make positive contributions to every professional sector.
Following their time in the Corps and at A&M, former cadets have gone on to serve as doctors, lawyers, teachers, astronauts and in many other positions of service. For many, careers in law enforcement are their chosen path toward contributing to the greater good of the nation. Through local, regional and national level roles, agencies and focuses, countless cadets have dedicated themselves to contributing to the nation’s security efforts.
For three recent graduates, the values, community and practical teachings that they were exposed to as members of the Corps have greatly prepared them to advance national security through their careers.
Steven Allbert ‘20, Criminal Intelligence Analyst, Texas Department of Public Safety
Originally from San Diego, California, Steven began his college career at Texas A&M Corpus Christi. Through Texas A&M’s Program for System Admission (PSA), Steven later transferred to Texas A&M to study Political Science. As a transfer student, Steven says that he saw the Corps as an opportunity to build a community like no other.
“I was drawn to the Corps from the day that I spent the night with them as a senior in high school. My first time being on campus as a student was a big learning experience, since I am a first-generation Aggie and I did not grow up in Texas. Having the support from my Corps buddies, who I quickly became close with, was a helpful start toward building a community of friends,” Steven recounted.
While a cadet, Steven was a member of Squadron 18, the Corps Lacrosse team and the Darling Recruiting Company, where he served as the Executive Officer of the special unit his senior year. Steven cites those involvements and the relationships he built as being major contributors to his professional and personal development while in the Corps.
“Within the Corps, my participation in special units and the Corps Lacrosse team gave me the opportunity to meet a lot of cadets from across the Quad and grow as a leader. I also credit my growth to my Cadet Training Officer, Gunnery Sergeant Cheatham, for truly being there for me and other cadets. He not only held us accountable, but was always there to talk to and bounce ideas off of,” Steven explained.
After graduation, Steven worked for the Corps Recruiting office as a Program Coordinator, where he helped high school students from across the nation discover the Corps as an avenue for their own leadership development.
In 2024, Steven transitioned from working with Corps Recruiting to his current job as a Criminal Intelligence Analyst with the Texas Department of Public Safety in Austin, Texas. In his role, Steven focuses on the education, training and administration of the Texas Suspicious Activity Reporting Network, also known as “iWatch Texas”.
“The iWatchTexas program allows Texans to report any suspicious activities or behaviors that may indicate criminal, terroristic, or school safety-related threats. This program is immensely valuable to our state’s and nation’s security, as it helps uncover activities such as human smuggling, threats to critical infrastructure and planned school attacks and brings those perpetrators to justice,” Steven explained.
With overlap in Texas A&M and the Department of Public Safety’s values, Steven cites his prior experience with those pillars as the basis for his success in this role and beyond.
“The Core Values at Texas DPS are integrity, excellence, accountability, and teamwork. These values, combined with Texas A&M’s additional values of leadership, loyalty, respect and selfless service, are a recipe for success in any career field,” said Steven.
Batie Bishop ‘23, Texas State Trooper, Texas Department of Public Safety
A native of Corpus Christi, Texas and a second generation Aggie, Batie came to Texas A&M to pursue a degree in Agricultural Leadership and Development. He joined the Corps of Cadets to be at the center of A&M’s traditions. What he found was a community within his outfit, Company E-2.
When looking back on his time in the Corps, Batie cited the organization’s community and emphasis on selfless service as two of the most impactful aspects.
“The Corps provides an immediate community and family to all new members. The Corps gave me some of my closest friends and best memories that I have. The Corps pushes people to care about things bigger than yourself. From Bonfire to Corps brass, the Corps teaches you to selflessly serve others around you and leave the world better than you found it,” Batie said.
As a D&C (non-military contracted) member of the Corps, Batie recognizes the developmental opportunities he was given in the Corps as a major contributor to his growth as a leader and team member.
“As a D&C cadet, I did not have an ROTC program that helped build my leadership skills. I looked to my Corps and school involvements for that development. I dedicated much of my time to the Fish Drill Team, being the handler of Reveille IX and leading my outfit as the First Sergeant and later the Commanding Officer. It was extracurriculars like these that helped me become a better follower and eventually, shaped me into a better leader. Across everything in the Corps, I learned how to lead large groups of people and work as a team with those around me,” Batie explained.
Utilizing the skills he developed as a cadet, Batie now contributes daily to the safety and security of the people of Texas and beyond.
“The Texas Department of Public Safety casts a large net when it comes to national security. As a Trooper, my day to day consists of stopping cars on Texas highways to prevent crashes and interdict for drugs and other crimes. I have also patrolled our border, stood guard at our Capitol and been deployed to stop riots when needed,” Batie said of his role.
With Texas A&M’s history of service to the nation in mind, Batie sees his role as a Trooper as his way of contributing to that legacy.
“Aggies have and always will serve those around them. It is what we do best. I am proud to call myself an Aggie and proud to represent our school in this capacity.”
Caleb Thompson ‘20, United States Border Patrol Agent, Department of Homeland Security
When Caleb arrived at Texas A&M’s main campus after transferring from Texas A&M Galveston, he saw the Corps of Cadets as a way to break out of his comfort zone and grow as an individual. The psychology major from Coppell, Texas found his avenue for that growth, as well as a unique Corps experience, as a member of Squadron 18.
“When I transferred from Texas A&M Galveston, I saw the Corps of Cadets as the next logical step to challenge myself, grow as a man and leader and open a lot of doors for my future. As a frog (transfer cadet), my experience was a little different from other cadets, especially as a fish (freshman). It is my belief that the experience was more intense and focused than other outfits, due to the fact that we had to be fully trained cadets in half the time that other outfits had,” Caleb explained.
“I learned that every day had a purpose in Squadron 18. There was no time to waste, as we had to get our fish into the best physical and mental shape possible to both represent and one day run our outfit,” he continued.
When considering how the Corps prepared him for his present day work as a Border Patrol Agent, Caleb cites the mindset the Corps instilled in him.
“The Border Patrol is the first line of defense when it comes to the enforcing of customs, and immigration laws. The Corps really prepared me and my mindset for the trials and expectations that come with serving in a law-enforcement capacity. The Corps taught me that, no matter what I’m faced with, especially mentally, I am able to overcome it. It’s this, combined with my faith in God, and I know that I can accomplish anything,” Caleb said.
Recognizing the connection between Texas A&M’s values and the Border Patrol’s, Caleb says that the transition from cadet life to his present role was easy.
“The values I was immersed in within the Corps very directly translated to the Border Patrol. The border patrol’s motto is ‘Honor First’, which I believe is a value that is upheld strongly at Texas A&M. Integrity is also one of the most important aspects of serving in the Border Patrol, as once you have lost that, you have lost the trust of the American people.”
Making Leaders for Every Endeavor
With approximately 60% of cadets pursuing careers in the public, private and non-profit sectors after graduation, the Corps of Cadets produces passionate leaders for every professional realm. Texas A&M is well known for producing servant leaders.
Service to country can manifest itself in many forms. Though military service is widely regarded, Aggies have served the nation in a variety of roles. For former students like Steven, Batie and Caleb, their passion for service and the skills they’ve refined throughout their time at Texas A&M are evident in their professional careers.
“I have never once looked back to my time in the Corps of Cadets and felt anything less than absolute pride for the people I met and the things I did. You become a better person by joining the Corps. I also feel incredibly proud to serve the nation and make a direct impact into the community that I live in and love,” Caleb said.