Freshman cadets attended the prestigious Tulane NROTC Mardi Gras Drill Meet, securing a second place finish against top military academies and senior colleges.
By Robin Nelson ‘22, Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets - February 28th, 2025
The Fish Drill Team of the Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets has claimed the second place title at Tulane University’s NROTC Mardi Gras Drill Meet, ranking only behind the United States Naval Academy. This prestigious event hosts drill teams from service academies and senior military colleges across the country, most of which are primarily composed of upperclassmen.
The Fish Drill Team, which is composed entirely of freshman cadets, competed in a total of five team events at the Feb. 28 competition. As a result of their efforts, the Fish Drill Team claimed second place overall at the meet, edging out teams from the United States Military Academy and Norwich University.
This win comes as a result of five months of intense training for the Fish Drill Team, beginning in mid-September, just weeks after the freshman cadets arrived on Texas A&M’s campus.
“What this team has accomplished in such a short amount of time is truly astounding. Less than a year ago, these cadets were seniors in high school, and now they’ve competed with the best on the national stage,” said Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Chip Utterback, interim commandant of the Corps of Cadets.
“Every member on this team, from our freshmen to their cadet and staff advisers, has given their all to secure this victory. We’re beyond proud of them, their efforts and their representation of Texas A&M and the Corps of Cadets,” Utterback said.
For over 145 years, the Corps of Cadets has taken individuals from all walks of life and prepared them to lead in the public, private and military sectors. Through unique experiences and opportunities like the Fish Drill Team, students are able to compete and win on the national stage.