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Texas A&M Corps of Cadets Cyber Operations Unit Prepares Cadets To Defend Tomorrow’s Cyberscape

June 16, 2025 by rnelson

By Robin Nelson ‘22, Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets – June 16th, 2024

As the university’s premier leadership development program, Texas A&M Corps of Cadets is home to young men and women from all walks of life. Whether they aim to enter the public, private, military or non-profit sectors after graduation, each cadet’s Corps experience is lined with opportunities that prepare them to lead passionately and make positive impacts at every level.

For military-contracted and non-contracted cadets who desire to enter the ever evolving cybersecurity field, the Corps provides a supplementary development opportunity through the Corps Cyber Operations Special Unit (COSU). Established in 2017, the COSU trains cadets in the technical knowledge and skills necessary to work in the field of cybersecurity.

“At the individual, local, state and national levels, we face an increase in cyber threats which are becoming more frequent and complex.The COSU is a unique aspect of the Corps’ leadership laboratory that directly addresses the need and demand for cyber professionals,” said Colonel Kenn Allison, Associate Director of the Corps’ Hollingsworth Center and the Staff Advisor to the Cyber Operations Unit.

A significant component of the unit’s focus is competing on a national level in virtual and in-person cybersecurity competitions. Selected members of the COSU compete as a team in several events throughout the year, culminating in the National Security Agency’s Cyber Exercise (NCX) in the spring semester. At the NCX, the COSU competes against teams from each of the other Senior Military Colleges and United States Service Academies. Over the last seven years, the team has seen increasing levels of success. Competing alongside members of Texas A&M’s Cyber Leader Development program, the COSU’s participation in the 2024 NCX saw one team participating in person at the Maritime Conference Center in Maryland, and two others participating virtually from back in Texas.

“We face a variety of technical challenges such as reverse engineering software to find vulnerabilities, creating malware and deploying it in a testing environment and utilizing general IT skills. This is not an exhaustive list, as these competitions change often and encompass a wide variety of other topics. So, it goes without saying that problem-solving ability and the ability to think on your feet and learn quickly are paramount in these competitions,” cadet Jeremy Murray, 2024-2025 commanding officer of the unit, said.

Utilizing the resources available to them through Texas A&M’s Cybersecurity Center, cadets in the COSU are able to learn from cybersecurity experts and industry leaders and obtain necessary certifications to advance their careers post-graduation.

“I started the special unit because I saw that there’s a lot of people that get assigned cybersecurity roles but have never utilized anything more than Microsoft Windows and Powerpoint. I realized that there’s a need to start learning while you’re in school, so I decided to do something here at A&M. When I founded the unit, there was nothing like this at any other schools or the military academies,” said Andrew Laramore, founder of the COSU.

Through the number of opportunities it provides, the Corps Cyber Operations Special Unit continues to meet the Corps’ mission statement of producing well rounded leaders of character who are prepared for the leadership challenges of the future. The COSU’s emphasis in this specialized area also specifically prepares cadets to lead the way in the nation’s growing cybersecurity efforts, and, in turn, secures a brighter future for all.

Meet Our Staff: Hollingsworth Center SOMS Instructors

June 10, 2025 by rnelson

By Robin Nelson ‘22, Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets - June 10th, 2025

Get to know some of the Hollingsworth Center for Ethical Leadership’s upper level SOMS leadership course instructors and the ways that they’re impacting students across Texas A&M’s campus.

As the oldest, largest and most recognizable student organization on Texas A&M’s campus, the Corps of Cadets has prepared young leaders to serve our communities, our state and our nation for generations. Though the Corps experience is historically rooted in its military-based structure, service in the military after graduation is completely optional to cadets. In fact, around 60% of all graduating cadets annually pursue careers in the public, private and nonprofit sectors.

For members of the Corps not pursuing a military commission, known as Drill & Ceremonies (D&C) cadets, the Hollingsworth Center for Ethical Leadership (HCEL) offers upper-level courses designed to set them up for success in their future careers. These courses, which are listed under the School of Military Sciences (SOMS), cover a variety of topics -- to include peer leadership, organizational leadership and executive leadership -- and foster environments where cadets and other students at Texas A&M are encouraged to be and able to grow as passionate, considerate and knowledgeable leaders.

“Our courses are aligned with the Corps’ mission statement to help develop well-educated leaders of character who are prepared for the global leadership challenges of the future. We follow the Corps' leadership development model by helping students develop themselves, others, teams and, eventually, organizations,” said Dr. Dave Keller, Director of the Hollingsworth Center.

By offering these courses to all students at Texas A&M, the Hollingsworth Center is sharing the Corps’ leadership development model across campus. Students who partake in HCEL SOMS courses graduate from Texas A&M prepared to excel in the public, private, non-profit and military sectors. In fact, Keller says those who get involved with the HCEL are hired at a higher rate than the national average.

“In the end, we are helping our students — from just about every major on campus — to be highly attractive to potential employers at graduation. Our graduates come out of college far more prepared to excel in both civilian and military job markets than the average college graduate,” Keller continued.

SOMS courses are taught by instructors who represent a wide range of educational, professional and personal backgrounds, giving cadets the opportunity to hear from individuals with a variety of experiences and leadership styles. In the spring 2025 semester, the 928 students enrolled in the Hollingsworth Center’s SOMS courses were taught by five full-time HCEL staff instructors and 27 adjunct instructors.

Of these instructors, thirty percent hold doctorate degrees in leadership or a related field. Many Hollingsworth SOMS instructors also have prior military experience in addition to their extensive experience in the corporate or private sectors. In the spring 2025 semester, HCEL SOMS instructors included a former Congressional staffer, a former firefighter, former police officers, pilots, business leaders and career development specialists, among others. Experience is essential, but, Keller noted that the most important requirement is an instructor’s ability to connect with and inspire students.

“Just because someone has been a leader in industry or the military does not necessarily mean they are going to be able to connect well with undergraduate students. For example, you might be a good golfer, but that doesn’t necessarily make you a good golf coach. Being a successful leader does not automatically mean you can engage students in meaningful conversations,” Keller elaborated. “We work hard to train our instructors on advanced classroom techniques. We know they know the material, but they must be able to create an engaged learning environment in the classroom as well.”

Through their experiences and teaching styles, the men and women who teach the Hollingsworth Center’s SOMS courses help shape the future of cadets and other students at Texas A&M.

Below is a Q&A session with a few of the SOMS instructors.

Dr. Kristen Neill

Q: Tell us about yourself!

A: I am from Abilene, Texas, where I attended Hardin Simmons University and received my B.S. in Biology, M.Ed. in Gifted Education and my Ed.D. in Leadership. I was a high school physics teacher for 13 years and an Assistant Principal and Director of Instruction for eight years with Cypress Fairbanks ISD and Spring Branch ISD. I joined Texas A&M in June of 2023 as the Assistant Director of Student Affairs at the Institute of Biosciences and Technology, which is part of the College of Medicine. I came over to the Hollingsworth Center for Ethical Leadership in the fall of 2024, where I currently serve as the Associate Director for Mentorship and Personal Development.

Q: What drew you to the Hollingsworth Center and teaching a SOMS course?

A: This is my dream job! My purpose is growing the next generation of leaders so getting to serve in this capacity every day is amazing. The Hollingsworth staff teach SOMS courses as a part of their position. We all have unique large-scale responsibilities coupled with SOMS teaching responsibilities.

Q:Which upper level SOMS courses do you teach? What topics does your course cover?

A: I teach SOMS 381, which is a junior level course that’s designed to foster personal and organizational leadership development. This course helps cadets develop competence in various leadership and management practices that are applicable to an array of situations. There is a heavy focus on organizational leadership development, with specific attention to intra-group relationships and techniques for achieving group goals. It also emphasizes creating an ethical environment to develop members, lead teams and make difficult decisions. Much of our learning comes from sharing our experiences in everyday life and learning how to predict outcomes based on reliable theoretical models.

Q: What has been your favorite experience thus far as a SOMS instructor?

A: Hands down, my interaction with the cadets! I love seeing them shine in leadership roles and even without a title, learning to lead from where they are at. They are my purpose, and it is a joy to serve as their instructor. They know my door is always open to them, now and forever.

Dr. Andrew Christjoy

Q: Tell us about yourself!

A: I just finished my PhD here at Texas A&M in the field of Communication. I study resilience for individuals and organizations, which is a great fit to instill those same values in cadets. I taught high school for seven years and have been teaching at A&M for five years, with two years of those in SOMS with cadets.

Q: How did you become a SOMS instructor? What drew you to the Hollingsworth Center and teaching a SOMS course?

A: I went through the Corps as an older cadet in my 40s (2017-21) and rose to become the Deputy Corps Commander. Through that process, I found great purpose in the SOMS instructors, curriculum and experience. It became my goal to be a SOMS instructor because I’m passionate about leadership and I want to do my part to help foster the next generation of emerging leaders. So, I “annoyed” Dr. Dave Keller every semester until he finally gave in and hired me. I’m so grateful he did!

Q: Which upper level SOMS courses do you teach? What topics does your course cover?

A: I teach SOMS 380 and strive to make the course material relevant to cadets’ daily life as much as possible. One of my key focuses in the course is teaching students how to understand and apply the communication process so that information, rewards, critique and trust is disseminated as efficiently as possible.

Q: How will your course help cadets post-graduation?

A: Students learn that each person has a different format of engagement that best works with them so that leaders can capitalize on those modes to enable a deeper bond that forges a connection that lasts through the triumphs and times of crisis.

Q: What is the biggest piece of advice that you would give your students as they prepare for their future as leaders?

A: Never take the opportunities we have for granted. It is so easy for life to be normalized as we go about the day to day business of putting one foot in front of the other. That can quickly become mundane and uninspiring. But we must choose every day to see the world for what it truly is – a massive gift and opportunity to say thank you, view the moment as precious and strive to lift up the people around us who need it so desperately.

Captain Ray Ivie (USN, Retired)

Q: Tell us about yourself!

A: I graduated from Texas A&M in 1981, where I received my degree in Industrial Distribution. At graduation, I was a Distinguished Naval Graduate and commissioned into the Navy. I served 23 years in the Navy flying off aircraft carriers around the world, with combat tours in Desert Storm and Bosnia. I also served as flight instructor, on Joint Staff, as Congressional Fellow for Texas Senator and Deputy for Navy Congressional affairs. I saw 9 total deployments throughout my career. I received my graduate degree from the US Naval War College in National Security and Strategic Studies and was also a Georgetown University Congressional Fellow. Following my retirement from the Navy, I worked in business development in several fortune 500 companies. I am currently the Director of Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX)‘s Testing & Innovation Center.

Q: How did you become a SOMS professor? What drew you to the Hollingsworth Center and teaching a SOMS course?

A: As a corporate leader, I recruited heavily from the Corps for interns and full time positions. I hosted several R U Ready? Events* and really enjoyed working with the Hollingsworth staff. I specifically returned to Aggieland to teach and share my military and corporate perspectives.

*R U Ready? events are events sponsored by the HCEL outside of the classroom. During these informational sessions, various companies and organizations provide cadets the opportunity to explore and gain insight into different careers, companies, organizations and employment opportunities.

Q:Which upper level SOMS courses do you teach? What topics does your course cover?

A: I focus on SOMS 281 and 380. I like helping students (cadets and non-cadets in my classes) learn who they really are and their dominant personalities, strengths and weaknesses. SOMS 380 helps them discover their individual leadership styles and teaches them how to adapt to different variables that may impact their ability to lead. I want them to use techniques and work on their leadership styles while still in the Corps.

Q: How will your course help cadets post-graduation?

A: The cadets have a huge advantage by receiving leadership education and hands-on leadership. Many do not appreciate what they are learning and experiencing on a daily basis, but I saw it clearly when I had Aggie cadets as interns. They were always chosen by the other interns to lead the intern teams. These teams consisted of MIT, Stanford, Georgia Tech Research Institute and other prominent engineering schools, and the Aggies always held their own in engineering and were a clear cut above in leadership.

Q: What is the biggest piece of advice that you would give your students as they prepare for their future as leaders?

A: First, know what you want to do. Too many have no idea what they actually want to do. It is hard to focus on achieving success if you don’t know where you want to go. Choose something and go for it. You can always change course, but you must aim for something. Second, no one is truly a born leader. You must use your strengths, develop a style that works for you and continuously educate and adapt yourself to the circumstances. There are wrong things to do, but there are numerous right ways to lead. You must be yourself.

Shaping Tomorrow, Today.

Through the Hollingsworth Center’s course offerings, students from across Texas A&M’s campus can gain invaluable experience and unique insight from experienced leaders. When partnered with the Corps of Cadets experience, cadets can immediately apply the lessons they’ve learned in the classroom to their roles within the organization. This cycle of insightful learning, practical application and active reflection ensures that each cadet leaves Texas A&M with the tools they need to make positive contributions to their communities, the state and the nation.

“We think it’s important for cadets to be exposed to multiple voices and role models across their leadership journey. Each of our instructors brings a unique perspective to the classroom. Over the five semesters of the Hollingsworth program, we hope our students get exposed to as many of those perspectives as possible,” said Keller.

Through SOMS courses, cadets and all students across campus are empowered to develop a greater depth of thought, expand their critical thinking capabilities and gain experience with a variety of perspectives. Each of these qualities will help students navigate the ever-evolving challenges of today’s global workforce in ways that make lasting impacts.

Hollingsworth Center for Ethical Leadership Awards over 186 Certificates in Applied Leadership Studies

June 10, 2025 by rnelson

By Robin Nelson ‘22, Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets - June 10th, 2025

The spring 2025 class of certificate awardees marks the largest in the Hollingsworth Center’s history.

Though initially founded to supplement the Corps’ leadership training for non-military contracted cadets, the Hollingsworth Center for Ethical Leadership (HCEL) stands today as a resource for all students at Texas A&M. Through the HCEL’s courses listed under the School of Military Sciences (SOMS), dedicated career readiness events, guidance offered by experienced instructors and one on one mentoring opportunities, students who engage with the Hollingsworth team learn how to lead passionately at all levels of their professional careers and personal lives.

One representation of their knowledge gained through the HCEL is the Certificate in Applied Leadership Studies. Students earn this certificate at graduation following their verified successful completion of the Center’s leadership development program. The program entails a minimum of two semesters of an Individual Leadership Development Plan, the successful completion of SOMS 281, 380, 381, 481, and 482 and an exit interview with an approved leadership coach or mentor.

Awarded in partnership with the National Medal of Honor Institute (NMOHI) since early 2024, the program’s curriculum has been recently enhanced to include teachings about Medal of Honor recipients and how their displayed characteristics of leadership can be applied in every aspect of life, from the battlefield to the board room.

“The Certificate’s requirements appear in three categories: academic courses, applied experiences and personal development activities. Students earning the certificate complete five Hollingsworth ethical leadership courses during their time here, but it is more than just an academic exercise. They also gain practical experience through leadership experiences here on campus, through the Corps, other student organizations and/or in the community,” said Dr. Dave Keller, Director of the Hollingsworth Center.

Keller says that the curriculum’s elements work cohesively to create a well-rounded experience for students, with cadets in particular fully benefiting from their time in the program.

“The combination of all of these elements creates a very unique and powerful learning experience for students earning the Certificate in Applied Leadership Studies. The best leaders aren’t just ‘book smart’, although they should absolutely be knowledgeable in leadership theories and principles. But academic knowledge alone is insufficient –-students need to get out and practice these concepts. This is an area where Corps students have a distinct advantage because the Corps is intentionally designed to be a leadership laboratory.”

National Medal of Honor Institute representatives cite this comprehensive learning experience as one of the main reasons why the Institute chose to partner with the HCEL.

“We were very deliberate about who we wanted to partner with for a certificate program. We chose Texas A&M, and in particular the Hollingsworth Center, because of the emphasis on applied ethical leadership. The application is the key,” said Dr. Kevin Basik, Chief of Leadership Programs for the NMOHI.

The Center’s spring 2025 certificate ceremony saw 186 certificates awarded to students from across various backgrounds and majors--the largest awardee class in the Center’s history.

For cadets venturing into the public and private sectors, this certificate has helped them start their professional journeys on the right foot.

“I am about to enter into a six month long training period to become a manufacturing team leader for H-E-B’s Houston Division. I am joining a company that has a well established culture. Through the classes I have taken in applied ethical leadership, I am now better able to help guide teams in ways that are both effective and align with the established organizational culture,” said former cadet Julianna Ramirez ‘25.

Though a majority of the certificate’s awardees are set to work in the public, private and non-profit sectors after graduation, military contracted cadets can also benefit from the program and its teachings. Regardless of their path after graduation, students who earn the certificate gain invaluable professional experience and insight on how to effectively lead.

“The Hollingsworth Center really helped bridge the gap between the Corps and the corporate world for me. An easy example is a lot of the resources that Hollingsworth provides helped me build up my resume, helped me build connections in companies and enabled me to crush a lot of first time interviews. It is what helped me get an internship with Lockheed Martin and it is what will continue to help me stand out amongst people that did not commit that same amount of time to leadership,” said another former cadet, Caleb Riggs ‘25.

Through this certificate, and the HCEL’s teachings and sponsored activities as a whole, students from across campus are able to learn from the Corps’ leadership development model and apply it to their experiences as students and as young professionals.

“Hollingsworth Center courses, workshops, seminars and conferences are open to all students on campus. Every semester, we have several non-Corps students take our courses and find real benefit to doing so. Our graduates are smart, disciplined and focused on service to others. We are producing precisely the kind of young leaders society is desperately seeking in our companies, families and communities,” Keller said.

Texas A&M Corps of Cadets Marksmanship Unit Builds Community On and Off the Range

May 22, 2025 by rnelson

By Robin Nelson ‘22, Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets - May 22nd, 2025

Founded in the fall of 2011, the Corps of Cadets Marksmanship Unit (CCMU) provides all cadets, regardless of their experience with competitive marksmanship, an opportunity to develop as leaders, compete on the national stage and build relationships that will last a lifetime.

“My goal is to provide cadets with real challenges, in stress filled environments, where the consequences of the choices made will have significant, meaningful outcomes. This focuses on the rewards of success, and the pain of failure. Our cadets don’t just experience leadership in a lab or a role playing environment, they are participating in, and running, an elite organization that functions consistently at a national championship level,” said CCMU Head Coach Kevin Jimmerson '89.

Utilizing this hands-on experience with leadership, preparation and discipline, cadets on the team graduate with far more than competitive shooting accolades.

“My focus as Coach, and our team’s organizational structure, is not about winning. It is about preparation. ‘Amat Victoria Curam, Victory Loves Preparation.’ If you prepare well enough, victory may find you. The life lesson I want our cadets to learn is the discipline to prepare. As leaders, they must know their job is to serve those they are privileged to lead. They serve by finding, developing and creating the circumstances where preparation can occur to its maximum,” Jimmerson continued.

Through elite mental and physical training, the CCMU has amassed numerous national titles and individual awards, and is consistently recognized as one of the top teams in the competitive marksmanship realm. Following the recent completion of their thirteenth season, members of the unit have once again claimed championship titles on the national and international stages.

In March, the CCMU traveled to Talladega, Alabama to compete in the Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP)’s National Championship. Divided into three squads of four shooters, the team competed in the competition’s production, 1911 and pistol caliber carbine divisions against universities from across the nation. With one squad posting record-setting performances in the production and 1911 divisions, CCMU earned their ninth national champion title at the event. In addition to the team’s squad-level performance, cadet Thomas Nunnally '27 set the collegiate record for the fastest production individual match time with a time of 34.23 seconds.

“Everything we do prepares us for SASP. That includes our mindset going into a match, the basic fundamentals of shooting and preparing ourselves physically and mentally outside of shooting. The fact is, there’s never a time we aren’t training. Because of the inherent simplicity of SASP, everything can be taken for granted. This is where we shine as a team. We take these stages, like everything else, extremely seriously,” said Nunnally, who just finished his sophomore season with the team.

While the drive to win is not a new feeling to Nunnally, he says that he’s excited to be able to share his experiences with the family that he’s found on the team.

“I've been shooting for years, so the idea of breaking personal records is not new to me. However, I am more excited to be able to share what I know with the team. I love these dudes. Plain and simple. I don’t see them as teammates anymore, I see them as my family. I can count on any of them for anything,” Nunnally said.

Immediately upon their return to College Station, the team’s sights were locked on their season’s final competition at the SIG SAUER Relentless Warrior Championship. A combat-style 3-gun match, the challenges the team faces at SIG are much different when compared to the action-style match they compete in at SASP. Because of this difference in style, members of the team must quickly adapt to the associated changes.

“Our coach always says that winning SASP and SIG is like winning the Superbowl and the World Series, with the same team, in the span of a month. They are two extremely different shooting sports. At SASP, we use iron sights on pistols that are different from the pistols and red dot sights that we use at SIG. It is one thing to train using a different pistol, but constantly switching between iron sights and red dots is extremely difficult,” said Parker Pugno '25, who served as the unit’s 2024-2025 Commanding Officer.

Following intense preparation, the CCMU traveled to Epping, New Hampshire in mid-march to compete at SIG. In another difference from SASP, SIG is exclusively attended by the United States Service Academies, Senior Military Colleges and the Royal Military College of Canada.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to compete against cadets from across the U.S. and Canada. At the end of the day, we are each pushing each other to get better, not just in shooting, but rather in a wide plethora of skills that will carry us into our careers. These skills include critical thinking, performing under pressure, working with and leading a tight knit team and so much more,” Pugno said.

With his future career as an officer in the United States Space Force in mind, Pugno says that these relationships with other cadets have enhanced his understanding of the military as a whole.

“The Space Force has an emphasis on helping the joint force and providing force multipliers to each branch of the military. By gaining a greater understanding of the different branches, I believe this understanding will help me in my career in the Space Force. Thanks to these opportunities to compete that few, if any, other Space Force cadets have received, I feel prepared to meet the Space Force’s emphasis,” Pugno said.

In addition to testing each shooter’s marksmanship abilities, the match’s six stages also demanded peak physical and mental performances from its participants.

“SIG is extremely mentally and physically rigorous, while still being a lot of fun. Going from training in Texas to competing in the below freezing temperatures, rain and snow in New Hampshire was not easy, but it was more than enjoyable,” Pugno explained.

“The competition required a level of athleticism, calling for us to lift and carry 60 pound sand bags, navigate obstacles and have the speed and agility to be a proficient shooter. Mentally, each stage required in-depth planning and performance under pressure when the clock was running. The stages require you to have expert level muzzle and trigger discipline, as well as expert level marksmanship and rifle and pistol manipulation.”

As a result of their dedication to mental, physical and technical readiness, the CCMU earned their second national title in less than a month at the competition. In addition to being crowned the overall champions of the seventh annual SIG SAUER Relentless Warrior Championship, the team also had five cadets place in the top ten individual shooters, with cadet Shiloh Lewis claiming first.

For members of the CCMU, it’s not simply about winning national championships. Members cite the community the unit has provided them as one of their favorite aspects of being a member of the Corps of Cadets.

“CCMU has been the heart of my Corps experience. With a high operations tempo year-round, we’re always training, pushing limits and competing. Every year, only about ten freshmen out of 100–200 applicants are selected, and not all of them make it all four years. The level of commitment it takes to stay on the team bonds us tighter than most friendships ever could. With only about 20 of us total, we know each other inside and out, to the point that we can predict each other's actions in competition and in life,” said Pugno.

“It's a privilege to contribute to Texas A&M’s legacy in such a unique way. Every title we bring home represents more than just a win—it’s the result of countless hours of training, sacrifice and dedication. To know that my teammates and I are leaving our mark on the university’s history is deeply rewarding. We’re proving, year after year, that Texas A&M is the best place in the country for developing elite, high-performing individuals—on and off the range.”

The CCMU is one of many smaller groups that thrive within the overarching Corps community. Similar to the larger Corps, the CCMU is home to cadets from a wide variety of life experiences, interests and goals. Using these differences to their advantage, cadets in the CCMU and all across the Quad work toward the Corps’ mission of developing well-educated leaders of character who are prepared for the global leadership challenges of the future.

If you are interested in helping the national champion Corps of Cadets Marksmanship Unit continue to provide community and premier leadership development opportunities to cadets, please contact Kelly Corcoran at the Texas A&M Foundation here.

Aggie Family Helps Preserve Legacy of Leadership Through Saber Donation

April 29, 2025 by rnelson

Texas A&M Army ROTC - April 2025

In a heartfelt tribute to a proud Aggie and lifelong leader, the family of A. Charles “Charlie” Fischer ’64 returned to Aggieland to gift two of Charlie’s ceremonial sabers to rising senior Cadets in the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets. The sabers, which Charlie carried during his time as a student leader and military officer-in-training, now serve as a powerful symbol of service, leadership, Aggie Values, and an enduring legacy.

Charlie Fischer, who passed away in 2017, was a distinguished member of the Corps of Cadets and a decorated Aggie. His family sought a meaningful way to preserve the artifacts from his time in the Corps and inspire a new generation of Aggie leaders. With help from longtime friend and hunting companion James Wendlandt ’80, the Fischer family was able to connect the sabers with two deserving Cadets currently preparing to commission into the U.S. Army.

Wendlandt enlisted the help of his friend Karen Allen, former military admissions counselor with the Texas A&M University Don & Ellie Knauss Veteran Resource & Support Center (VRSC). Allen then collaborated with the Army ROTC Department at Texas A&M to identify two Cadets whose academic focus, leadership, and military service ambitions mirrored Charlie’s own.

At a small ceremony in front of the historic Arches on the Quad, Cadets Madison Cronin ’26 and Tyler Silves ’26 were presented with Charlie’s sabers by the Fischer family. The moment was a moving reminder of how the Aggie Family continues to grow across generations.

Cadet Cronin, an Animal Science major from Hot Springs, Arkansas, will serve as the 2025-2026 Brigade Commander. Cadet Silves, an Agricultural Leadership & Development major from Katy, Texas, with minors in Agricultural Economics and Military Studies, will serve as the 2nd Battalion Commander. Like Charlie, both cadets are Agriculture majors who will commission into the Army after graduation.

“Receiving Mr. Fischer’s original saber from his time as the Commander of Company C-1 is an incredible honor and a powerful reminder of what it means to be an Aggie,” said Cronin. “It’s a privilege to carry his saber representing the values he stood for and to be connected to such an amazing family.”

Silves echoed the sentiment, stating, “Receiving the saber was an honor. It is also a reminder that we are in the right place to make a difference in the future, and time and time again, quality leaders from this University and the Corps of Cadets go on and do great things in their careers and for the country.”

Charlie Fischer graduated in 1964 with a degree in Animal Science. While at A&M, he was a Distinguished Military Student, commander of Company C-1, a member of the Ross Volunteer Company, and chairman of the Student Agricultural Council. After serving in the Army as a Field Artillery Officer at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Charlie began a 37-year career with The Dow Chemical Company, eventually serving as president and CEO of Dow AgroSciences.

Through this thoughtful act of legacy and connection, the Fischer family, has ensured Charlie’s values, leadership, and love for Texas A&M will continue to march forward through two inspiring Cadets leading the next generation.