Cadet Leadership

Charles Wright ’24

January 30, 2024 by rnelson

Hometown: Fort Worth, Texas

Major: Agricultural Communications & Journalism

Outfit: Company E-2

Charles Wright ’25 currently serves as the Executive Officer of Company E-2.

On the Quad, Charles is the Co-Captain of the Corps Men’s Soccer team. During his freshman year, Charles was a member of the Fish Drill Team, where he also served as a sophomore advisor the following year. He also works for the Corps Media & Marketing Office, where he is tasked with special research projects.

In his free time, Charles enjoys hunting, fishing and spending time outdoors.

“The Corps has given me lots of unique opportunities to develop myself as a leader. Through my four years, I have had the honors of serving as the Fish Drill Team Exhibition Guidon, Sophomore Advisor for the Drill Team, 1st sergeant Company E-2 and now the XO of E-2. Through all of those experiences, I have learned many different methods of good leadership. I have also learned how hard it can sometimes be to lead others. I feel that my time in the Corps has prepared me to face those difficult leadership challenges, and I am excited to put them into practice as I graduate and join the real world,” Charles said of his time in the Corps.

After graduation, Charles plans to commission into the U.S. Navy Reserve, where he hopes to serve as a Public Affairs Officer.

Daniel Garza ’24

January 18, 2024 by rnelson

Hometown: Corpus Christi, Texas

Major: Business Management

Outfit: Squadron 6

Daniel Garza ’24 currently serves as the Commanding Officer of Squadron 6.

Off the Quad, Daniel serves as a Bible study leader and an ambassador for St. Mary’s Catholic Church. In his free time, Daniel enjoys hunting, fishing and golfing.

“The Corps has taught me the importance of servant leadership and overcoming mental barriers. If you work hard, stay focused and have a great community to support you, anything is possible,” Daniel said of his time in the Corps.

After graduation, Daniel plans to attend law school with hopes of one day serving his community as an attorney.

Matthew Marquez ’24

December 18, 2023 by rnelson

Hometown: Detroit, Texas

Major: Geology

Outfit: B-Company

A member of B-Company in the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band, Matthew presently serves the unit as the Career Readiness Officer and as a Squad Leader. Matthew is also a member of the Ross Volunteer Company, and previously served as the 2022-2023 Infantry Band Bass Drummer. “The Corps has taught me much in the way of resiliency and staying true to oneself. Most importantly, it has taught me that to light another’s torch is to brighten the path forward for all. We must never allow anything or anyone to extinguish our light,” Matthew said of his time in the Corps. After graduation, Matthew plans to work as a geoscientist at NASA, with hopes of one day returning to school to continue his education at the graduate level.

Josh Palinkas ’24

December 13, 2023 by rnelson

Hometown: Fulshear, Texas

Major: Chemistry

Outfit: Company P-2

Josh Palinkas ’24 is currently a Platoon Leader and the Operations Officer for Company P-2.

On the Quad, Josh is an active member of Parsons Mounted Cavalry and the Corps Marathon team.

Off the Quad, Josh serves as the External Relations Co-Chair for AggieTEACH, a program that provides teacher certification for those interested in becoming middle or high school educators.

“The Corps has challenged me almost every day, but it’s also completely transformed me from the person that showed up for day one of FOW,” Josh said of his time in the Corps.

After graduation, Josh plans to commission into the United States Navy, where he hopes to serve as a Submarine Warfare Officer. After his time in the military, Josh hopes to work as a high school physics or chemistry educator.

Cadet Research Project Honors Aggies Who Are Missing In Action

December 11, 2023 by rnelson

Through his research project under Texas A&M’s History and Anthropology departments, cadet Jackson Baker ‘25 has compiled the first comprehensive list of Aggies who have gone Missing In Action.

Members of the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets represent a wide range of interests, hobbies and career goals. For cadet Jackson Baker ‘25, his work with Texas A&M’s History and Anthropology Departments as a History Research Intern has reflected his passion for honoring Aggies who have served but never returned home.

“As a History Research Intern, I chose to focus on identifying, categorizing and mapping the locations of all Aggie servicemen from World War II through the Vietnam War who are currently Missing in Action (MIA). My research also seeks to identify ways for Texas A&M to honor the service and sacrifices of those MIA Aggies,” Baker explained.

A project that has been ongoing since May of 2022, Baker has worked closely with his supervisor, Dr. Erika Bravo ‘16 & ‘20, who is Texas A&M’s Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency Research Partner Historian.

“Jackson had a vision early on that Aggies who are still unaccounted for need to be formally memorialized by the university. In order to do so, a complete and accurate list of names needed to be produced. The few published sources Jackson had to work with were not complete or always accurate and Jackson had to do a lot of thorough checking himself through different records in addition to organizing the information he found,” Bravo said.

“Wanting to produce a story map that would interactively display the potential loss locations of the MIA Aggies, their photos and their stories took a lot of time and effort. Jackson had to seek out experts in GIS and learn how to use software in addition to putting in all the data. Jackson has exemplified the Aggie core value of selfless service through this project, his love for history and research, and his passion for honoring our service personnel who never came home,” Bravo continued.

Baker presented his findings and interactive map design on November 9th, 2023 at Texas A&M’s Conflict Archaeology and Military History Conference. Attendees included faculty and students from the history and anthropology departments and greater research field, but the room was filled with Baker’s Corps buddies who sought to support him and his work.

“It was great to have my buddies there with me. The first thing we were told as fish (freshmen) is that we marry and bury our buddies, meaning they’ll be with you for the rest of your life. The Aggies who are Missing in Action were never able to have that chance with their own friends. This project underlines that point for me, and I am thankful everyday for the support I have from my buddies,” Baker said.

Baker’s project is deeply rooted in Texas A&M’s military history and core values, and he hopes that his work will be furthered by others in the future. Though the project originated from Baker’s original work, there is potential for other students and faculty members in the department to expand upon its findings.

“I hope this research will serve as a platform for future students and faculty to track progress towards future recovery efforts. I hope that my research will continue to be edited, added to and further researched as others take over the project in the future,” Baker said.

“I believe it is very important for students to know about the service and sacrifices of these Aggies, as their lives represent true selfless service. I also believe it is our duty as a school to remember and honor those who gave their life and have not yet returned home.”

Baker has used his time, both at Texas A&M and in the Corps of Cadets, as an opportunity to work toward recognizing those who gave their lives in defense of America’s freedom. Though just one of the many ways that cadets have represented the Corps off the Quad, Baker’s work has certainly made a difference at Texas A&M and in the stories of those Aggies who are Missing In Action.

Story By: Robin Nelson ’22

Interested in learning more about Jackson’s interactive map and additional research on Aggies who are MIA? Interact with the presentation below or visit tx.ag/TheDutyOurs.