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2023-2024 Corps of Cadets Leadership

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Corps Commander Caitlynn Walsh
Deputy Corps Commander Klayton House
Corps Chief of Staff Callie Guest
Corps Sergeant Major Deandre Macri
1st Brigade Commander Ethan Finney
1st Brigade Sergeant Major Caleb Riggs
1st Battalion Commander Imanuel “Manny” Gomez
1st Battalion Sergeant Major Claire Ongais
A-2 Commanding Officer Julie Johnson
First Sergeant Brinna Janish
B-1 Commanding Officer Connor Aston
First Sergeant Rachelle Benitez-Devilbiss
F-2 Commanding Officer Madison “Madi” Sliva
First Sergeant Kayli Woodward
L-1 Commanding Officer Jack Rowland
First Sergeant Justice Jenson
2nd Battalion Commander Benjamin “Ben” Powell
2nd Battalion Sergeant Major Aiden McKinney
D-2 Commanding Officer Macartney “Max” Meyers
First Sergeant Aiden Petropoulos
I-1 Commanding Officer Brandon Groff
First Sergeant Lillian Baker
K-1 Commanding Officer Peter Teachout
First Sergeant Kaleb Aschenbeck
3rd Battalion Commander Alexa Reichert
3rd Battalion Sergeant Major Luke Sims
A-1 Commanding Officer Kain Gala
First Sergeant Vincent Dente
B-2 Commanding Officer Davis Young
First Sergeant Jeffery “Jeff”  Tevis
E-1 Commanding Officer Samuel “Sam” Dillard
First Sergeant Nathanael “Nate” Leary
1st Regiment Commander Graham Wolfe
1st Regiment Sergeant Major James Guandolo
5th Battalion Commander Matthew “Matt” McGee
5th Battalion Sergeant Major Jordan McConnell
G-2 Commanding Officer Orlando Martinez
First Sergeant Samuel Peek
P-2 Commanding Officer Bryan Plasczyk
First Sergeant William “Will” Massey
S-1 Commanding Officer David Dana
First Sergeant David Simmons
6th Battalion Commander Emiliano “Emi” Sanchez
6th Battalion Sergeant Major Charles “Charlie” Roach
C-2 Commanding Officer Allen Constantino
First Sergeant Parker Jett
E-2 Commanding Officer Isaac Warring
First Sergeant Anderson Dang
N-1 Commanding Officer John “Jay” Denman
First Sergeant Samuel “Sam” Huang
7th Battalion Commander Sarah McMurry 
7th Battalion Sergeant Major Zachary Schutz
D-1 Commanding Officer Yvans-Landry Tepondjou-Tsatang
First Sergeant Erik Frias
G-1 Commanding Officer Jacob Britton
First Sergeant James Wilkey
K-2 Commanding Officer Luke Lindsey
First Sergeant Joshua Reilly
S-2 Commanding Officer Joseph “Joey” Welsh
First Sergeant John Justin
1st Wing Commander Rebecca Collins
1st Wing Sergeant Major McKinsey Bosman
1st Group Commander Kyle Kilian
1st Group Sergeant Major Nathan Thomas
SQ-3 Commanding Officer Kenneth “Michael” Hoefnagels
First Sergeant Jaret Allen
SQ-8 Commanding Officer Eric Chavez
First Sergeant Adrian Sugg
SQ-11 Commanding Officer Daniel Morrison
First Sergeant Corde Mayo
SQ-17 Commanding Officer Joshua Glenney
First Sergeant Gabriel “Gabe” Schuricht
2nd Group Commander Genevieve Pace
2nd Group Sergeant Major Caitlyn Silvester
SQ-1 Commanding Officer Robert “Lane” Abbott
First Sergeant Joshua Bandrowski
SQ-12 Commanding Officer Cole Schulte
First Sergeant Tom Sengphet
SQ-16 Commanding Officer Cameron Harper
First Sergeant Rieghlynn Foulkes
SQ-18 Commanding Officer Kaleb Melvin
First Sergeant Carl Witherell
SQ-21 Commanding Officer Melina Peters
First Sergeant Treacy Collier
3rd Group Commander Sienna Espindola
3rd Group Sergeant Major Samuel “Sam” Olson
SQ-2 Commanding Officer David “Will” Tobaben
First Sergeant Kensleigh Wehunt
SQ-5 Commanding Officer Jefferson Thomas
First Sergeant Claire Cox
SQ-6 Commanding Officer Daniel Garza
First Sergeant James Kindrick
SQ-20 Commanding Officer Christopher Carroll
First Sergeant Gabriel “Gabe” Ross
SQ-23 Commanding Officer Victoria Fasano
First Sergeant Dana Widner
Delta Company Commanding Officer Mario Milian
Aggie Band Commander Daniel Mackenzie
Combined Band Sergeant Major Tristan Lanclos
Artillery Band Commanding Officer Matthew Norris
Artillery Band Sergeant Major Alexander “Alex” Reistad
A-Battery Commanding Officer Maisey Ann Martinez
First Sergeant Julian “JC” Cantu
B-Battery Commanding Officer Brady Ligon
First Sergeant Wesley Crites
C-Battery Commanding Officer Adam Tate
First Sergeant David Wiley
Infantry Band Commanding Officer Landon Perdue
Infantry Band Sergeant Major Michael Gaona
A-Company Commanding Officer Craig Dorsey
First Sergeant Alexander “Alex” Gaither
B-Company Commanding Officer Caden “Cade” Mahlen
First Sergeant Nathan Judson
C-Company Commanding Officer Samuel Mueller
First Sergeant Cale Lancaster

Commandant’s Newsletter

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BG Patrick Michaelis '93

To better serve you, the Corps of Cadets is developing interest specific newsletters. Sign up for the interest group that best suits you and your interests using the links below. You are welcome to sign up for more than one newsletter.

Please share this message with your friends and family! I look forward to communicating with you all via these newsletters in the near future.

Thanks & Gig Em,

Brigadier General Patrick Michaelis ’93

Hollingsworth Center for Ethical Leadership Enables Cadets to Grow Their Capabilities

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As one of the nation’s top leadership development organizations, the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets provides students with many top tier resources to prepare them for success far beyond graduation. Among these resources is the Hollingsworth Center for Ethical Leadership. Through the Hollingsworth Center, cadets can partake in several leadership courses that aim to set them up for success in their future careers.

“The Hollingsworth Center works primarily with students who are not going into the military upon graduation, although we certainly have several that do. Our SOMS [School of Military Science] program of study begins during the spring semester of their sophomore year, where we focus on helping cadets find their strengths and lead from a perspective of authenticity,” Dr. Dave Keller, Director of the Hollingsworth Center, said. 

In the fall of their junior year, cadets take SOMS 380: Workshop in Leadership Education.

“SOMS 380 is the second course for our students. It focuses heavily on finding their leadership constraints and blind spots, and then developing an action plan to intentionally improve in these critical areas. In later semesters, students learn more about the science of leadership, along with how to lead teams and organizations more effectively,” Keller said. 

Within SOMS 380, students learn from professors of practice who are leaders in their own fields. In the Fall 2022 semester, cadets in this course enjoy recurring presentations from Texas A&M Men’s Basketball Coach, Buzz Williams. 

“​​We are extremely excited to have Coach Williams partnering with us for this course. First, it shows Coach’s commitment to the students at Texas A&M goes far beyond wins and losses on the basketball court. It shows how committed Coach is to helping students grow and develop into the best leaders – and people – they can be. We’re thrilled that he is partnering with us. It is important to say that this isn’t just a one-shot ‘guest speaker’ event. Coach Williams has committed to working with our students throughout the semester,” Keller said.

With these semester-long partnerships in place, students taking courses offered by the Hollingsworth Center are more equipped than ever to explore their potential to grow as leaders.

“Whenever cadets can learn from a presenter such as Coach Buzz Williams, there are many opportunities for personal and professional gain. It could reinforce what they are already learning in SOMS, or present a new concept, or allow them to hear something that applies to their life right now. There are countless opportunities to benefit from an experience like this. Coach Williams is a high achiever, lifelong learner, and very enthusiastic about teaching. He has so much to offer and we are thrilled with this partnership,” Dr. Darin Paine, Associate Director for the Hollingsworth Center, said.

During Coach Williams’ first lesson, he described the impact of one’s leadership, and how it reaches far beyond the immediate individuals that they are assigned to lead.

 “You’re not just leading yourself. You’re leading yourself, your organization and their families. If you learn to process information unselfishly… there is no ceiling for your leadership possibilities,” Williams said.

With the Hollingsworth Center’s four year Corps Leadership Development Model in place, students in the Corps are taught how to develop themselves, others, teams and organizations as they progress through their college career. Through this development model and carefully structured courses such as SOMS 380, the Hollingsworth Center provides cadets with the necessary tools to be successful in any profession they choose to pursue.  

“Cadets are, first and foremost, students at Texas A&M. They all are gaining knowledge and expertise in their respective career areas through their individual college and academic programs. What we do is go beyond their technical education by providing a set of top-tier opportunities for them to grow in their leadership and character. In doing so, we make students across the campus better able to lead well in an increasingly complex world – regardless of their academic major or career intentions. Perhaps now more than ever, the world needs leaders of character who are prepared to meet the global challenges of the future. We help prepare them to do exactly that,” Dr. Keller said. 

From leadership development to career readiness lessons, the Hollingsworth Center has consistently served as an incredible resource for cadets to succeed academically, and in their professional and personal lives. For more information about the Hollingsworth Center for Ethical Leadership, visit here.

Story By: Robin Nelson ’22

Cadet Jake Worrell ‘23 Wears Former Governor Rick Perry ‘72’s Senior Boots at March-In

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As a member of Company D-1 in the Corps of Cadets, Jake Worrell ‘23 has dreamed of donning the Corps’ coveted senior boots since he was a child. 

“Growing up, I always saw my dad’s senior boots in a display case, so I knew that what they symbolized was the real deal. They’re a symbol of everything and everyone that the Corps represents,” Jake explained. 

While the first march-in of the season is always a momentous time for every member of the Corps, this past Saturday was extra special for Jake. 

“When my dad was in college here, as a cadet in L-1, class of 1994, he worked for the Board of Regents and actually drove Governor Perry to a game, and then back to the airport once it was over. My dad was killed in Iraq in 2006 and Governor Perry attended his funeral. He called my family and I just about every month after that to check in on us. He’s always told me to give him a call when I was a senior in the Corps so I could wear his boots to a game. It’s really cool to see this actually happen,” Jake said of the experience.

An iconic part of every senior cadet’s uniform, Jake spoke to the importance of what wearing his boots means to him. 

“Wearing my senior boots has made everything up to this point worth it. It is a really nice reward. The pressure is on to do a great job at being a leader when I’m wearing them.”

When asked what wearing former Governor Perry’s boots meant to him, Jake was quick to highlight the significance of what these boots in particular symbolize. 

“Governor Perry has done so much for my family and I, in addition to the state of Texas, Texas A&M, and our nation. Being able to have the privilege of wearing these 50 year old boots, representing him and everything he stands for, is so special to me. It is an honor more than anything, being able to literally walk in his shoes. My brother, Luke, is a fish in Company L-1 this year, so I am looking forward to him having this same opportunity in a few years.”

With the promise to his father, Major Matthew Worrell ‘94, United States Army, of being a member of the Corps of Cadets fulfilled, Jake is able to take a look back on what his time as a cadet has meant to him. 

“Being a cadet, I feel like I represent the university in a very significant way. Not a lot of schools have a huge organization that’s as nationally known as the Corps. It is cool to be a part of something that’s been around for so long, carrying on old legacies and traditions, being a Guardian of Tradition and Keeper of the Spirit. Being those two things is very serious to me, and being able to exemplify those things everyday is something that I really wanted to immerse myself in. I wanted to fulfill this promise to my dad,” Jake said.

As a University Studies Leadership major and the Public Relations and Athletics Officer for Company D-1, Jake maintains a very busy schedule and has managed to overcome many challenges throughout his college career. Most notably, Jake transferred to Texas A&M in 2020 after beginning his journey at Tarleton State University. 

“Obviously, I would’ve loved to have come to A&M on my first try, but if I got the chance to go back and do it all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing. This is the path that I was supposed to take. I made some of my best friends at Tarleton State and even had some of them transfer with me into D-1. I didn’t get the “normal” Corps experience, but I get MY Corps experience, which is something I’m so grateful for. Initially, I was devastated when I didn’t get accepted into A&M. The spirit of Aggieland is real, and I’ve felt its impact throughout my whole life. There’s no way I wasn’t going to do whatever I could to get to the greatest university in the world,” Jake said.

With his senior year off to a strong start, Jake took time to reflect on why he chose to join the Corps. 

“I chose to join not because I wanted to pursue a military contract, but because I wanted to be a part of something greater than myself. It is the best decision that I have ever made, looking at who I am now. It is a challenge, but is so worth it in the ways that you will grow. The bonds I have made here are incomparable to anything I’ve ever experienced in the past. It is so much fun being able to represent Texas A&M in this way.”

The Corps of Cadets is home to many outstanding individuals, and Jake Worrell is a shining example. Through years of hard work, determination, and support from his loved ones, Jake has represented Texas A&M, the Corps, and his family well in all of his endeavors. Jake’s experience at the first march-in is symbolic of the Aggie family, its commitment to supporting one another, and the strength of the Spirit of Aggieland.

We are the Aggies, the Aggies are we. 

In Memory of Major Matthew Worrell ‘94. 

Story by: Robin Nelson ’22

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