Corps of Cadets History

President Lincoln approved the Morrill Act on July 2nd, donating public lands for colleges to benefit agriculture and the mechanic arts

Texas’ first public institution of higher education in the state, the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, is established on April 17 by the Texas Legislature

A&M was opened for registration on October 2, on October 4, forty students and six faculty members began instruction.

Originally held on June 26, a group of former cadets gathered together to “…live over again our college days, the victories and defeats won and lost upon drill ground and classroom.”

Today’s Ross Volunteers Company can trace their history all the way back to the Scott Volunteers of the late 1880’s. The Scott Volunteers made their first public appearance during the June 1888 commencement ceremony.

The Texas A&M senior ring is a tradition as grand and as revered as the University itself. The ring is symbolic of hard work and of membership in the greatest fellowship in the world. In 1894, a committee picked the ring design similar to the one worn today.

Lawrence Sullivan Ross was appointed President of the college, saving it from conversion to a state mental institution.

It was under President Ross that the nationally famous Fightin’ Texas Aggie band was created. Joseph Holick was selected to start the band. Holick, a local shoemaker and musician, was originally hired to play Taps and Reveille on the bugle every day. Originally only consisting of 13 members.

Inspired by Lawrence Sullivan Ross’ death in 1898, Silver Taps is the student body’s final tribute to an Aggie who, at the time of his or her death, was enrolled in undergraduate or graduate courses at Texas A&M University.

1904 saw the construction of a permanent athletic field led by E.J. Kyle. Kyle, the only student to serve as Commandant and later the Dean of the College of Agriculture. Using his own money, Kyle purchased lumber that was used to build seating and later purchased a covered grandstand for the field. To honor his support for the athletic program, students referred to the field as Kyle Field.

Today, this distinguished group can be seen at various on-campus and political events both in Texas and beyond.

The first known bonfire took place.

The first March to the Brazos takes place.

2,217 Aggies will serve.

During the Dixie Classic, now known as the Cotton Bowl, while playing Centre College, the Aggies sustained so many injuries that they needed to call on a substitute from the stands. That substitute was E. King Gill, a member of Infantry Company E. Gill stood on the sidelines ready to play, in effect becoming the 12th man. Although he did not go into the game, his readiness to support his fellow Aggies embodied the spirit and culture of Texas AMC and the Corps. This act would inspire the tradition of the student section standing at games to show they are always ready to suit up and take the field for their fellow Aggies.

A group of cadets stumbled upon an injured black and white cur while driving back from Navasota in their Model T Ford. Knowing they couldn’t leave the hurt animal, the cadets nursed her back to health. Until the bugler sounded “Reveille” in the morning. The small pup went wild with barks and howls, earning the name Reveille. Instead of getting rid of the small dog, the school allowed the dog to stay. In 1932 Reveille officially became the school’s mascot.

World War II saw that number increase nearly tenfold with 20,229 Aggies serving. Among this group, 14,123 were commissioned officers and 6,106 were enlisted personnel. 7 Aggies were awarded the Medal of Honor for heroic actions performed during the conflict. The Memorial Student Center was dedicated in 1951 to honor these fallen Aggies and those to come.

Texas AMC’s involvement in World War II extended beyond just training soldiers. In 1942, Universal Pictures came to Texas AMC to film We’ve Never Been Licked. Dedicated to the students of AMC who were in the movie and the ones fighting in the war, the propaganda film introduced the world to Texas AMC and the Corps of Cadets. There was even a cameo appearance made by Reveille I.

Following World War II and the return of war veterans to campus, freshmen were housed near the retired Bryan Air Force Base, the present day RELLIS campus, to combat hazing and overcrowding. In 1946, the freshmen created the Fish Drill Team out of boredom from the isolation. To join the unit today, freshmen interested in joining are evaluated on their basic drill movement.

A&M sends over 1,900 Former Students.

The Memorial Student Center was dedicated in 1951 to honor the fallen Aggies in World War II and those to come. Cadets are to be cleaned cut, and in uniform when entering the MSC.

Sam Netterville assumes the position of the first Mascot Corporal, handler for Reveille II.

The first women are permitted to enroll.

The first African-American joins the Corps of Cadets.

Corps of Cadets membership was made optional for Texas A&M students.

The Naval ROTC program made A&M the only campus in the nation where a student could obtain a commission in any branch of service.

In 1972, a group of cadets approached Commandant Tom Parsons about restarting the cavalry. Parsons agreed and the re-formed cavalry was formally named the Parsons Mounted Cavalry in recognition of the Commandant. The first unit of the reinstituted cavalry was made of fifty junior and senior cadets. Active riders in the unit were seniors who could provide their own horses, tack, and feed with juniors serving as support staff.

Initially led by a male commanding officer, W-1 was created and consisted of 25 female cadets. Women-only outfits such as W-1, and later Squadron 14, would continue until 1990 when they were disbanded and the units G-1 and Squadron 9 were integrated.

The Sam Houston Sanders Corps of Cadets Center opens to the public.

12 Aggies killed (8 cadets) and 27 injured when the Bonfire collapse

Former cadet Mike Fossum ‘80 becomes first astronaut from A&M in space, was Commander of Squadron 3 in 1979

During the 2012-13 school year, Marquis Alexander served as the Corps of Cadets first African American commander.

In its 139 year history, the Corps of Cadets names its first female commander, Alyssa Marie Michalke.

Quad renovations completed creating 4 Leadership Learning Centers and a Starbucks on the Quad

Company E-2, who has the privilege of taking Care of Reveille, was integrated in 2017. In 2018, Mascot Corporal Jacob Scroggins, passed down Reveille IX to the first female Mascot Corporal, Mia Miller.

Parsons Mounted Cavalry first unit to represent Corps of Cadets in the Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA