News

Cadet Steven Salazar Wins NCJA Collegiate National Championship

April 28, 2023 by rnelson

The Corps of Cadets is home to students with a variety of interests, hobbies and career goals. Among these students is cadet Steven Salazar ‘26, a Kinesiology major from Whittier, California. Throughout his time in the Corps, Steven has continued his passion for judo.

“I actually learned about the Corps through a former cadet at a judo competition. In Utah, at the Youth Nationals in 2021, I met my current coach, Bob Perez, by coincidence. He gave me more information about the Judo program at A&M and introduced me to former cadet, Michael Mutz, who then spiked my interest in joining the Corps,” Steven said.

As a member of the Texas A&M Judo team, Steven has competed on the national stage, carrying the lessons he learned as a member of the Corps with him along the way.

“I recently competed in the National Collegiate Judo Association (NCJA) Collegiate National Championship, where I placed first. This was a highly competitive tournament in which student-athletes from across the United States competed,” Steven said.

“Something that I have learned from my experience thus far in the Corps of Cadets is that discipline, hard work and proper time management are crucial elements in being successful. While training for this tournament, I was diligent in my work ethic, as I was disciplined enough to attend as many practices as I could, even after a long day. I feel that this perseverance led to my success at the tournament.”

With his hard work paying off in the NCJA Collegiate National Championship, Steven will now represent the United States and Texas A&M on the world stage in China this summer.

“Winning this tournament qualified me to compete at the World University Games, which is held in Chengdu, China from July 27th through August 2nd. I am very excited to represent my country, Texas A&M, the Corps and Company F-2 at the World University Games. This is only the next step for my judo career, as it’s a goal of mine to compete in the Olympics someday. I plan to continue to work diligently in order to achieve this goal,” Steven said.

When considering what the Corps of Cadets has done for him, Steven shared some words of advice to those who may be interested in joining the organization.

“The Corps has developed me as a leader by placing me in high stress situations that require me to act accordingly under pressure. Being able to make important decisions while under stress is an important skill for leaders to understand and practice. The Corps is a challenging investment that will reward you with many life lessons, experiences and opportunities in the future.”

As Texas A&M’s premier leadership organization, the Corps of Cadets provides students with the necessary tools to succeed within the organization, in the classroom and in their outside endeavors. As a cadet and a member of the Texas A&M Judo team, Steven has taken full advantage of the opportunities available to him on Texas A&M’s campus.

Story By: Robin Nelson ’22

PMC Cadets Speak At Waco Muster

April 28, 2023 by rnelson

Each year, on the anniversary of the Battle of San Jacinto, April 21st, Aggies around the globe gather to honor those lost during the year at Muster. A time to reflect on one’s time in Aggieland, Muster annually serves as Texas A&M’s most visible celebration of the Aggie family.

This year, four cadets in Parsons Mounted Cavalry (PMC) traveled to Waco, Texas to serve as speakers at the Greater Waco A&M Club’s Muster ceremony.

“I had the honor of being one of the speakers for the Waco Muster. Parsons Mounted Cavalry was asked to come down and speak about PMC and what it means to be a member of the Corps of Cadets. To me, Muster is the epitome of Aggie tradition. It shows that the university and the Aggie family don’t just view you as a number,” Mason Doige ‘24 said.

Mason views his participation in Waco’s Muster ceremony as a representation of the Corps’ unwavering dedication to all of Texas A&M’s cherished traditions.

“Being a cadet means you are a Guardian of Tradition and a Keeper of the Spirit. We are at the forefront of Texas A&M. We participate in every tradition, whether it’s through simple attendance or through active participation, like in Silver Taps and Muster. While many non-cadets may not participate in these traditions or attend only some, members of the Corps attend all of them. If no one else attended these traditions, there would still be a guaranteed 2,000 cadets there, and that means a lot to me.”

Though their participation in this Muster ceremony looked a bit different from the on-campus iteration, cadets who traveled to the Waco Muster were able to witness another side of the tradition.

“Since this was my first off-campus Muster, I got to see the Aggie Spirit outside of College Station. I realized that the Aggie Spirit is just as strong off-campus as it is on, and I found comfort in knowing that one day I would reconnect with my buddies to honor our own. Muster encourages company and cheer in times of grief. Muster reminds us that we are not alone, wherever we may be after our time at A&M,” Caroline Sauter ‘23 said.

Though Muster ceremonies may vary based on location, the camaraderie is ever present across each of them. From College Station to Corregidor, the Aggie family will continue to meet each year on April 21st to honor our fallen, and the Corps of Cadets will continue to be a cornerstone of this event.

Story By: Robin Nelson ’22

March To The Brazos Marks Significant Milestone In The Corps

April 24, 2023 by rnelson

Originally known as “the hike”, March to the Brazos began in 1908 in an effort to keep cadets out of trouble on April Fools Day. Cadets took part in a multi-day trek from campus to the Brazos River, conducting a symbolic passing of positions to the next class year once they reached their destination.

Off and on over the last 115 years, the tradition of March to the Brazos has evolved into a nine mile hike before Final Review. As one of the last major Corps events of the year, the days leading up to March to the Brazos are filled with excitement and anticipation for what’s to come.

“The week leading up to March to the Brazos is so exciting. We’d looked forward to it all year, and I was so excited for our freshmen to experience March to the Brazos for the first time. I am really looking forward to the new experiences that next year will bring, and I can’t wait to see everyone in my outfit grow as leaders and as people across the next year,” Sofia Perez ‘25, Squadron 2, explained.

With the Texas A&M Beef Center serving as the present day destination, cadets still conduct a similar transition of positions and assume their new leadership roles for the upcoming academic year.

“I can’t wait to see everyone take on their new leadership positions and succeed within them. The Corps has done so much to develop me as a leader. My buddy class and the rest of Gator 2 have always been there to support me and hold me to the highest standard. I would not be the person that I am today without them,” Sofia said.

The walk back is symbolic of the upcoming school year, with each cadet ready to lead in their new roles. In one of their first acts as incoming cadet leaders, rising seniors, juniors and sophomores lead the way during the 9-mile march back to campus. During this time, outgoing seniors depart from the Beef Center on a well earned bus ride back to campus.

“It’s crazy to think that I’m entering my final year. I remember March to the Brazos last year, I had just been selected to serve as a leader within the outfit. I was really excited and senior year seemed so far away, but now it’s here. I’m really looking forward to getting my boots and ring next year, and I’m really excited to meet the new freshman class and show them all that the Corps has to offer,” Charlie Wright ‘24, Company E-2, said.

Though this annual tradition has looked a little different throughout the years, the transitional sentiment has remained the same. March to the Brazos remains symbolic of the personal development, achievements and relationships that each cadet forms as a member of the Corps. A yearly reminder of how far they have come, cadets across all class years are able to utilize March to the Brazos as a time to reflect on their Corps careers, and prepare for what lies ahead.

“While I was sad that this was my final March to the Brazos, I was really excited for it. It is my favorite Corps tradition. Each year in the Corps taught me something different. Freshman year taught me humility, being a hound as a sophomore in the Fish Drill Team taught me confidence, junior year taught me the value of true friends and senior year has taught me how to advocate for myself. I’m excited to carry all of these things with me into my next chapter of life,” Liam Stevens ‘23, Company G-2, said.

Tradition is a key part of Texas A&M and the Corps of Cadets. Backed by several decades worth of history, March to the Brazos has remained one of the most cherished and anticipated events in the Corps. Through events like March to the Brazos, the Corps of Cadets leverages cornerstones of history and tradition to remain one of the nation’s most unique leadership development programs.

Story By: Robin Nelson ’22

Cadets Get Involved With Texas A&M Women in Aviation

March 23, 2023 by rnelson

With over 1,200 student organizations at Texas A&M, there are a wide variety of activities, hobbies and professional interests represented on campus. With a base of organizations that is ever-growing, students at Texas A&M are able to establish new clubs to meet unfulfilled needs.

Among these organizations is Texas A&M Women in Aviation, a club focused on connecting, engaging and inspiring women to be the best they can be, both in their personal lives and in their pursuit of aviation and/or STEM careers. Texas A&M Women in Aviation was founded in March of 2020, after cadet Maria Hall ‘23 and Emily Smith ‘21 met at the Women in Aviation International Conference in Florida.

“Emily and I met for the first time at the conference and formed an instant connection through our love for flying. We talked about how we wanted to create a community where other like minded individuals could meet and encourage each other, so we came back to Texas A&M, got some of our other pilot friends together and formed Texas A&M Women in Aviation that following fall.”

With their newly established organization up and running, Maria and Emily got to work on building the club’s membership numbers. Maria credits her love for flying as a driving factor in her desire to support others through Texas A&M Women in Aviation.

“When I was 11 years old, my dad took me flying as his first passenger in a 1946 light sport aircraft called an Ercoupe. As soon as we took off, I immediately knew that flying was what I was called to do. Six years later, I was fortunate to earn my Private Pilot's License and it was only natural that I took my dad flying as my first passenger. I have been extremely blessed with support in my own aviation journey, so creating and leading this organization has been a special way to give back and help others start flying.”

“The aviation community is amazing, but it can be daunting and expensive to get into if you’re brand new to it. My goal is to not only help with the financial aspect of flying through flight scholarships, but to send the message that aviation is for everyone and should not be intimidating,” Maria explained.

As the club has grown over the last few years, more cadets have gotten involved with Texas A&M Women in Aviation. Of these cadets is Alex Sellman ‘23, who currently serves as the organization’s Outreach Director.

“This organization provides a lasting support network of women who are all here to help each other succeed in a career field of their passion. We have had graduates go on to careers all over the industry and come back to talk to us about what they have learned. This organization has had a massive impact on my perception of the aviation industry and has helped me realize that there are so many opportunities within it,” Alex said.

With several significant opportunities like scholarships for organization members currently being awarded through Texas A&M Women in Aviation, Maria says that she hopes to see the organization’s reach continue to expand.

“My hope for this organization is that it continues to grow and that we will receive more donations to use as flight scholarships for our members to begin flying or continue their aviation training. From the generous donations we have already received, we have had the opportunity to provide full scholarships for two members to attend this year’s Women in Aviation International Conference in California. We have also awarded 15 free introductory flights at Brazos Valley Flight Services, and we just gave away our first $500 flight scholarship. These donations have had a tremendous impact on our members and have fueled their fire for flying.”

For the past three years, Texas A&M Women in Aviation has empowered students to pursue their passion for aviation, regardless of their initial level of experience in the field. Several cadets have benefited from the support provided by Texas A&M Women in Aviation.

The Corps of Cadets develops leaders, both on and off the Quad. Texas A&M Women in Aviation is just one of many ways for cadets to become involved on campus, and one of many ways for them to find the support they need to pursue their passions.

If you are interested in donating to Texas A&M Women in Aviation, visit here. Your support directly benefits and impacts every member of the organization, and enables those with a passion for aviation to pursue their dreams.

Story By: Robin Nelson '22

Squadron 21 Participates In Bataan Memorial Death March

March 23, 2023 by rnelson

Soon after their attack on Pearl Harbor, Japanese forces began their invasion of the Philippines. Having just entered World War II and recognizing the importance of having troops in the Philippines, the U.S. combined forces with Philippine troops in defense of the crucial lands.

These brave soldiers fought in a malaria-infested region and survived on insufficient amounts of food and a severe lack of medical supplies. The soldiers retreated to the Philippine Peninsula when Japanese forces were reinforced and overwhelmed the U.S.-Filipino force. After 9 months of intense fighting despite harsh conditions and a great lack of supplies, approximately 75,000 United States and Filipino troops were surrendered by U.S. Major General Edward King Jr. to Japanese forces.

Captive soldiers were forced to march 65 miles across the Bataan Peninsula, an event that became known as the Bataan Death March. During this march, thousands died. Those who survived were forced to face the harsh conditions of prisoner of war camps. Once a part of these POW camps, those imprisoned would not see freedom again until 1945, when U.S.-Filipino forces reclaimed the territory.

This year, in honor of this tragic event, Squadron 21 sent a team of six cadets to participate in the Bataan Memorial Death March in White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. A major piece of Squadron 21’s identity is their commitment to recognizing our nation’s Prisoners of War and those deemed Missing in Action.

“It is important to Squadron 21 that we remember the sacrifices of all POWs and MIAs. Our outfit was founded as a living memorial of First Lieutenant Victor Hugo Thompson III ‘64, a former member of Hellcat 9, the predecessor to Squadron 21. However, there are thousands of other POWs/MIAs whose stories are never told. It is important for us to do events like the Bataan Memorial Death March to honor the heroism of these men,” Shaun Boothe ‘23, Commanding Officer of Squadron 21 said.

For one member of Squadron 21, the Bataan Death March in particular is significant to his own family’s history.

“Part of my family heritage is the story of Major John S. Coleman, Jr, Texas Agricultural and Mechanical College class of 1927,” William Walder ‘24 said.

“He left his wife and two kids to go serve his country in the Philippines. He was in command of the 27th Material Squadron with the Army Air Corps. After he was captured, he survived the brutal Bataan Death March, and then spent the next three and a half years doing hard labor in POW camps. He kept a shorthand journal throughout the war at great risk, and used it later on in his life to write a book about his experiences, called ‘Bataan and Beyond, Memories of an American POW’.”

“The opportunity to pay homage to an important part of Aggie and personal heritage connects me to the past in a far greater way than reading history. A large number of the officers in the Philippines were from TAMC, as they were reserve officers. We often talk of the muster at Corregidor, honoring the brave Aggies that fought in those dark hours. I am able to also honor those less remembered Aggies on the peninsula,” Walder went on to say.

Though this is Squadron 21’s first year participating in the memorial march, the outfit intends to keep this tradition alive for years to come.

“Most of the planning was conducted by Treacy Collier ‘25, who is the rising First Sergeant of Squadron 21. He isn’t even a participant of the march but took on the challenge to plan and coordinate this first time event. It is a demonstration of the servant leadership that we strive to teach in Squadron 21. We were able to receive a $1,700 grant from Quad Moms that covered registration fees, equipment and travel expenses. With more funding and awareness of the event in the future, our hope is to be able to send a much larger team in years to come,” Boothe said.

Squadron’s 21 participation in the Bataan Memorial Death March event is a reflection of the Corps of Cadets’ drive to honor the past while recognizing the contributions of those who gave so much.

Story By: Robin Nelson '22