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UPDATE: On December 16, 2020, the Project Atlas Rucks team arrived in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, completing their 1,000 mile journey. They surpassed their original fundraising goal of $16,000 and to date, have raised over $25,000 for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.

On December 9, 2020, six members of the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets will begin a 1,000 mile “ruck march” across the southwestern United States. The ruck march will start in Zion National Park in Utah and continue east over the course of nine days, ending in Pagosa Springs, Colorado.

The cadets from Company H-1 will take time out of their winter break to conduct the march. The term “ruck march” refers to the rucksack worn on the backs of the cadets that holds their extra layers of clothing, food and water. In its fourth year, the Project Atlas Ruck March raises funds and awareness for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF). The SOWF provides scholarships and educational counseling for the surviving children of Special Operations soldiers whose lives were lost in the line of duty. The foundation provides funding for college tuition, books, fees, room and board, and computers and printers, as well as fully-funded professional tutoring from kindergarten through college graduation.

This year, the cadets hope to raise $16,000 for the SOWF through their 1,000 mile ruck. In their fourth year of marching, the group has raised over $33,000 for the SOWF. This is the third Project Atlas Ruck March for senior Ethan Lochner ‘21. “The money raised through this march provides funding for college education expenses like tuition and books to the surviving children of those soldiers who were killed in the line of duty,” said Ethan, one of the six participating in this year’s ruck march. “Donations of any size are appreciated and a small donation goes a long way in helping us meet our goal and make an impact.”

Previous ruck marches have taken place in the Western United States during the students’ winter breaks. Two years ago, cadets marched from California to Oregon; last year, the cadets marched from the Grand Canyon to the Grand Tetons in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Weather and COVID-19 were determining factors in this year’s ruck march route. Cold temperatures and winter weather resulted in the group moving the route further south. The drier climate and desert-like conditions will benefit the cadets who camp outside for the duration of the trip. Though the group rarely interacts with others during their trip–an advantage during a global pandemic–this year’s route through very sparsely populated deserts provides more protection for the cadets against COVID-19. The cadets took great care throughout the planning of the trip to ensure adherence to state and county regulations and policies – especially with respect to COVID-19.

Each year the goal is to ruck 1,000 miles. It’s truly a group effort for the cadets, as each cadet  will march one-sixth of the cumulative total of the route. A portion of the daily itinerary does include some driving of the support vehicle, but the 1,000 miles are accumulated based on the distances the cadets march.

Preparation for the ruck is a months’ long process. Members of the group, known as Project Atlas, are selected based on their physical ability to march and their ability to work as part of team, working collaboratively as a group throughout the 8 days. This year’s Project Atlas group is composed of two senior cadets, a junior cadet and three sophomore cadets – all from Company H-1 in the Corps of Cadets. The two seniors and one junior are all veterans of the ruck march.

That these cadets take on such a grueling undertaking during their holiday break is truly inspiring, and clearly indicates the level of dedication and commitment to service that they embody every day – as Aggies and as members of the Corps of Cadets. “Selfless service is a core value of Texas A&M and the Corps of Cadets,” says Brigadier General Joe E. Ramirez, Jr., Commandant of the Corps of Cadets. “I am not surprised that these cadets would give up their hard-earned winter break to march cross country to raise money and awareness for this very special organization. That speaks to the kind of selfless servants our cadets are, the values they embody every day, and the kind of selfless leaders they have become as members of the Corps of Cadets. More importantly, it says a lot about the quality of leaders they will be in the future, and the impact they will have on others as a result. I am proud of all of them and the way they are representing our university and our Corps.”

Additional information about the Project Atlas Ruck March, the Special Warrior Operations Foundation, and a link to give to the campaign can be accessed here.

Updates about the Project Atlas Ruck March will be posted on social media. Follow along at @aggiecorps on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, @tamucommandant on Facebook and Twitter, or @projectatlasrucks on Instagram and Facebook.

Project Atlas Ruck Itinerary

December 9: Complete hike through Zion National Park

December 10: Ruck March to Big Water, Utah

December 11: Ruck March around rim of Lake Powell, UT/AZ

December 12: Ruck March east of Page, AZ

December 13: Ruck March to Navajo National Monument, AZ

December 14: Ruck March through Monument Valley, UT

December 15: Ruck March through Mesa Verde National Park, CO

December 16: Ruck March through Durango, CO

December 17: Ruck March through Pagosa Springs, CO

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In 1992, current and former members of the Aggie Band mounted a bronze plaque on the west side of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band drill field behind Dorm 11 in honor of COL Joe T. Haney ’48. The plaque commemorated the renaming of the drill field to the Colonel Joe T. Haney ‘48 Drill Field. Col. Haney ‘48 served as the Director of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band from 1973 to 1989. Nearly thirty years later, contractors making improvements to Haney Drill Field discovered memorabilia from that day in 1992 in the pole supporting the plaque.

Under direction of Brigadier General Joe E. Ramirez Jr. ‘79, Commandant of Cadets, contractors began making improvements to Haney Drill Field last Spring. Improvements included a brick plaza with commemorative monument on the west side 50 yard line commemorating all members of the Aggie Band who have drilled on Haney Drill Field over the years, landscaping and benches around the plaza, and new decorative posts and chain surrounding the drill field. SSC Service Solutions oversaw the renovations, and began with the moving of the 1992 Haney plaque from the drill field to the new Plaza.

James Barnes, SSC Service Solutions’ Landscape Manager, removed the Haney plaque from the original metal post on the drill field to include it with the newmonument on the plaza near the 50-yard line on the west side of the drill field. When he began using a cutting torch to cut the post off, Barnes realized something other than metal was burning. After checking the post closer, Barnes found a plastic Ziploc bag inside the post, filled with memorabilia from the 1992 dedication ceremony.

“Considering the original plan was to remove it all in one piece, it is amazing that we opted for the alternative plan and ended up finding this pseudo-time capsule,” Barnes said.

Barnes returned the contents of the “time-capsule” to Mike Teal ‘96, Grounds Manager for SSC Grounds at Texas A&M. “I wanted to make sure that the time capsule was returned so that there was a record of the students who left it to commemorate their time in the Corps and the dedication of Haney Drill Field,” he said.

Initially, Barnes was concerned that the torch had slightly melted the Ziploc bag. However, Mike Teal assured him that the Corps representatives would be incredibly thankful that Barnes found and reported the items he had found from that original dedication ceremony in 1992.

“It was quite a surprise to learn about the contents of that original plaque from 1992,” said General Ramirez. “I appreciate the care and concern SSC took to preserve these items for us so that we could preserve and display them as a visual reminder of that special day in 1992 when the Haney Drill Field was first dedicated.”

The Ziploc bag included a dedication ceremony program, a newspaper article account of the event, and the name tags of five cadets who were in the Aggie Band during that time. The cadets whose name tags were found in the time capsule include Dr. Travis Burleson ‘92, Dr. James Crook, Jr. ‘92, Robert Givens ‘92, Mark Lane ‘92, and Joe Gamertsfelder ‘92.

The Aggie Band class of 1992 was the last class to have Col. Haney ‘48 as their Band Director. Travis Burleson ‘92, Executive Officer for A-Company in 1992, spearheaded the effort to name the Aggie Band Drill Field – the field that had been used by the Aggie Band since the 1950s – the Joe T. Haney Drill Field, to celebrate and recognize Col. Haney’s contributions to the Aggie Band and Texas A&M. What was initially intended to be a friendly, low-key gesture soon turned into a formal, campus-wide event celebrating the former student and faculty member who became a legend as the Director of the Aggie Band, and who was loved by many Aggies. The event included remarks from then Texas A&M President Dr. William H. Mobley, and a performance by the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band.

Following the dedication of the drill field, the five seniors decided to place items they had with them inside the pole. Mark Lane ‘92 was the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band Commander and Joe Gamertsfelder ‘92 was the Combined Band Drum Major in 1992.

“When you thought about the Band, you thought about Colonel Haney,” said Gamertsfelder ‘92. “We respected him and wanted to honor him in any way we could with what we had at the time.”

The former cadets never expected their items would be found nearly 30 years later. To them, the items they had placed in that pole were a small way of showing their appreciation to Colonel Haney before their time at Texas A&M and the Aggie Band ended.

“This finding shows the long lineage of Aggies respecting traditions and those who came before them,” said Gamertsfelder ‘92. “I hope this story inspires Aggies to continue respecting others because that’s what makes us different.”

No one expected to find any memorabilia like this as renovations to Haney Drill Field began last Spring. Finding those items was a pleasant surprise that served as a reminder of the contributions made by Colonel Joe T. Haney that helped shape the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band of today, and the respect for tradition that all Aggies hold for Texas A&M.

“And that’s just a little bit of Aggie history and good bull,” said Burleson ‘92.

Per Unitatem Vis…

Corps Brass has rested on the collar of each Texas A&M cadet for the last 60 years. Engraved in the banner above the shield, the words “Per Unitatem Vis” represent a bond between members of the Corps of Cadets and are a unifying motto for the entire Corps itself. This statement, forged from Latin, means “Strength Through Unity.” Its symbolism is a culmination of all of its parts. The Knight, symbolizing mind, body, spirit, poise, and integrity; the Shield, reflecting defense, protection, endurance, reputation, and tradition; the Saber, representing duty, honor, valor, quality, and confidence; and the Fasces, portraying strength, unity, authority, jurisdiction, and power. When all components come together, they form the small but significant object known as Corps Brass.

Although Corps Brass is a tradition that is unique to the members of the Corps of Cadets, the purpose it serves is not unlike other traditions on campus. The symbolism of Corps Brass extends beyond the physical piece worn by cadets on their uniform. As cadets embrace the roles of Soldier, Statesman, and Knightly Gentleman, they embody a reputation that has existed on campus for over half of a century.

The Finest First…

is the motto for Company F-1, the Corps Brass Company in the Corps of Cadets. As the creators of present day Corps Brass, F-1’s motto is etched in the outfit’s history, and symbolizes the standard expected of all who wear Corps Brass.

In 1960, a select group of seniors, led by Frank “Buck” Buchanan and Percy Mims ‘60, met to discuss class gift ideas. After much discussion, Troy Marceleno, a cadet from Company F-1, proposed the creation of a uniform collar device. He imagined a piece of brass worn by the members of Corps staff  that would reflect the tradition and esteemed history of Texas A&M and the Corps of Cadets. The group liked Troy’s proposal and presented it as their gift to the administration.

A Corps-wide design competition was held to determine the concept of the collar device. Marceleno led the competition, and the Class Gift Committee eventually chose his design. His concept for Corps Brass reflected an idea proposed by Robert Haggard, an F-1 sophomore. It incorporated the components of, “Soldier, Statesman, Knightly Gentleman,” attributed to Lawrence Sullivan Ross, one of Texas A&M’s earliest presidents.

The final design was submitted to the administration in the spring of 1960 and the new Corps Brass was added to the uniform, and has been worn by members of the Corps of Cadets ever since. In the fall of 2005, members of Corps Staff began to wear Corps Brass instead of Corps Staff Brass, in unity with the rest of the Corps. In under fifty years, Corps Brass came full-circle, as all members of the Corps of Cadets now wore the distinctive brass on their uniforms.

The Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band…

cadets wear their own version of Corps Brass. The Aggie Band developed their own expression of unity through the distinctive “Band Lyre.” The first appearance of the lyre is unclear, but archive pictures and literature establish its presence around the late 1890s to early 1900s. The Band Lyre is a holdover from days when elements of the all-Army Corps of Cadets were organized as units of Cavalry, Artillery, and Infantry. Unlike today, when earning Corps Brass is a semester long process, in past years the members of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band earned their Band Lyre following the completion of their first perfect halftime drill.

Halftime drill performances at Texas Aggie football games were graded by Aggie Band leaders and a perfect drill would result in the Band Lyre being awarded to the freshmen the following Monday. The Band Lyre came to symbolize a commitment to excellence for all members of the Aggie Band, and acknowledged the freshmen as official members of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band. Earning the Aggie Band Lyre is a significant accomplishment for all members of the Aggie Band. Today, freshmen in the Aggie Band earn their Band Lyres at the same time that the rest of the Corps receives their Corps Brass. Presently, the members of the Band undergo the same training as the rest of the Corps, continuing a sense of unity throughout the Corps of Cadets.

Today, Corps Brass…

still retains the original intent of the distinctive collar device as envisioned by the original designers in 1960. As defined by The Corps of Cadets Cadence, the cadet’s operational guide, Corps Brass is defined as follows:

“Crossed in the background are a sword, representing soldierly virtues and military tradition, and a fasces, representing the statesman. Superimposed on these is a shield and helmet representing the knight, for the knightly gentleman. Above it is a scroll upon which is written in Latin “Per Unitatem Vis” – through unity strength. These represent the ideals of the inscription that appear on the pedestal of the Lawrence Sullivan Ross statue – soldier, statesman, knightly gentleman.”

Culmination

Presently, cadets throughout the Corps conduct their training to earn Corps Brass in a unified manner. The training comprises three phases, representative of the three components of the Corps Brass: Soldier, Statesman, and Knightly Gentleman. Freshman cadets complete the three training phases throughout the course of their fall semester, and at the end of the semester, the Corps conducts a culminating event in which the freshmen cadets receive their Corps Brass.

At the conclusion of Corps Brass Culmination, the freshmen cadets assemble to take the Corps Brass Oath, proudly wearing their newly earned Corps Brass. The Corps Commander administers Oath, and it reads:

“I do solemnly swear, I will strive to embody the tenacity of a soldier, the intellect of a statesman, and the selflessness of a noble knight. I will execute these ideals with dignity, I will root my actions in self-discipline, I will cultivate my character with enduring pride. By accepting this Brass, I reaffirm acceptance of these values. By wearing this emblem on my uniform, I bridge decades of history between the Aggies who wore this brass and my brothers and sisters who wear it today. I pledge to earn my Corps Brass every day by my honorable actions. I will hold myself and my fellow cadets to this standard. We will not falter. We will not fail— For through unity of purpose, we find strength.”

Once the freshmen have earned their Corps Brass, they will continue to wear it proudly on their uniform for the remainder of their time in the Corps of Cadets as a symbol and reminder of the unity, strength, and the Corps values that are the cornerstone of the organization.

Sixty Years…