Corps of Cadets

Dawson Richburg ’23

December 15, 2022 by rnelson

Hometown: Katy, Texas

Major: Poultry Science

Outfit: Company E-2

Currently a member of Company E-2, Dawson Richburg ’23 also works as a Research Assistant with Texas A&M’s Poultry Research Facility.

“Being a part of the Corps of Cadets has given me insight into what makes a true leader. I have come to understand that failure is a part of life, and the only thing that matters is how you choose to respond to it. As a cadet, I’ve been able to live the true Aggie tradition and become a part of the Texas A&M spirit,” Dawson said of his time in the Corps.

After graduation, Dawson plans to obtain his Ph.D. in Poultry Breeding and Genetics and one day work in the field of poultry research.

Corps of Cadets Builds Future Partnership With Bush Combat Development Complex

November 29, 2022 by rnelson

Cadets pose with key leaders from the Bush Combat Development Complex ahead of their tour.

For generations, the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets has prepared young men and women to serve at the forefront of our nation. For some, their service to our country is not performed as a member of the Armed Forces, but in other vital capacities. Through the Bush Combat Development Complex (BCDC), new opportunities to serve are being made available to these cadets.

Located on Texas A&M’s RELLIS Campus in Bryan, the Bush Combat Development Complex serves as a production resource that provides our nation’s defense organizations with the technology needed to readily secure and defend our country against the challenges of the 21st Century. With a five year, 96.2 million dollar contract from the U.S. Army Futures Command awarded to them in September, the Bush Combat Development Complex’s push toward the future is now stronger than ever; and they’re looking to the Corps of Cadets for support as they advance.

Major General Tim Green '86 introduces cadets to the Bush Combat Development Complex.

Through the Bush Combat Development Complex’s National Security Fellowship Program, a program that grants recently graduated cadets the opportunity to conduct graduate level research through the complex, a pipeline between the Corps is being established.

In order to be eligible for the Fellowship Program, former cadets must be U.S. citizens, must have at least a 3.25 GPA in a relevant field of study and must also be accepted into a graduate program with the Texas A&M College of Engineering. With expansion plans to other fields of study set for the near future, the Fellowship Program looks to soon welcome cadets from all academic specialties.

“We are passionate about providing our Aggies with the tools they need to protect our tomorrow, today. As such, we are excited about a developing opportunity through the BCDC Fellowship Program that will provide a pipeline for students in the Corps who have an

interest in serving in national security research to work with us,” Major General Tim Green (USAF, Ret) ‘86, Director of the Bush Combat Development Complex, said. “In fact, Brigadier General Michaelis and members of his staff are engaged in constant discussion with us about building these opportunities for cadets. As we host both government and industry leaders, the one question we constantly receive is how they can recruit students who have a heart for service to the nation and are able to obtain a U.S. security clearance. The natural source for that is through the Corps of Cadets.”

The plan to incorporate the Corps of Cadets into the Bush Combat Development Complex’s research initiatives was a natural partnership given the shared values of the complex and the Corps.

“Just as Texas A&M has been producing leaders of character for our state and nation since 1876, it only makes sense that we would be involved in the research to provide these leaders with the tools they need to hopefully deter combat, but if necessary, have them deploy-fight-win and return home safely with those that our Aggies will lead in the future. This is personal to the Bush Combat Development Complex, as many of us are former military, with several of our staff also being former Texas A&M cadets themselves,” Major General Green explained.

Over the last decade, the percentage of cadets choosing to pursue careers in the public and private sectors has greatly increased. Currently, well over half of all graduating seniors in the Corps pursue careers in these sectors. Opportunities, like those available through the Bush Combat Development Complex, give cadets the opportunity to serve our nation without having to contract into the military.

Cadets use off road vehicles to tour the BCDC's Innovation Proving Ground facility.

“As our facilities continue to come online in the coming months and these organizations join in on BCDC research efforts, I think it will be a natural draw from both government and industry to have cadets who meet the criteria join in fellowship and internship opportunities that could happen right here at BCDC, particularly for engineering students,” Major General Green said.

Through this upcoming partnership with the Bush Combat Development Complex, the Corps of Cadets will continue to prepare our nation's top leaders on an even larger scale. As the Corps continues to march toward the future, opportunities such as this partnership allow our cadets to serve at the forefront of every sector.

“These fellowships exemplify the quality of cadets who are coming through the Corps. The partnership with the Bush Combat Development Complex provides a pipeline of excellence for those who want to serve the greater good and shape the future of our national security posture. I’m very proud of where this partnership is going, and I am looking forward to the impact that the cadets who are selected into this program will create,” Brigadier General Patrick Michaelis ‘93 (USA, Ret), Commandant of the Corps of Cadets, said.

Story by: Robin Nelson '22

Emily Shireman ’23

November 28, 2022 by rnelson

Hometown: Colorado Springs, Colorado

Major: Aerospace Engineering

Outfit: Squadron 12

Emily Shireman ‘23 currently serves as the Corps Scholastics Officer on Corps Staff.

On the Quad, Emily is a member of the O.R. Simpson Honor Society, where she serves as a tutor and mentor resource to her fellow cadets. As a freshman, Emily was a member of the Class of 2023’s National Champion Fish Drill Team.

Off the Quad, Emily is an active member of Texas A&M’s Women in Aviation chapter and Aggie Valor, a Christian organization on campus.

“Being in the Corps has given me so many opportunities I would never have expected. From competing on Fish Drill Team, to going out to the airport to see flyover planes, to getting to mentor younger cadets; the connections I’ve built and experiences I’ve had have been incredible,” Emily said of her time in the Corps.

Upon graduating from Texas A&M, Emily plans to commission into the United States Air Force, where she hopes to become a pilot.

Parsons Mounted Cavalry Remembers Bonfire

November 18, 2022 by rnelson

On Nov. 18, 1999, tragedy struck Aggieland when the annual Bonfire stack collapsed, killing 11 current students and one former. For just over two decades, Aggies from all corners of the world have come together on the anniversary of the tragedy to remember the twelve that were lost.

This year, for the 23rd anniversary, additional memorial efforts were made to honor the fallen. For the first time ever at Midnight Yell, Parsons Mounted Cavalry brought two additional cannons to Kyle Field for a special 12-shot volley demonstration.

“Due to this year’s Bonfire Remembrance Ceremony falling on the same night as Midnight Yell, the Texas A&M Traditions Council proposed we make a special addition to Midnight Yell. Working with Traditions Council and the Yell Leaders, we decided that Parsons Mounted Cavalry would perform a 12-shot volley from two of our artillery pieces in honor of the twelve victims. This is the first artillery commemoration of the tragedy since November 25, 1999, when the victims were first honored,” Luke Jenkins ‘23, Commanding Officer of Parsons Mounted Cavalry, said.

As Parsons Mounted Cavalry prepared for these special efforts, Cole Swinnea ‘23, PMC’s Section Chief, said that it reminded him of the strength of the Aggie family.

“Being able to honor the twelve victims, even after 23 years, embodies what it means to be an Aggie and a part of the Aggie family. Even though they are no longer with us, their spirit and what they did for Texas A&M still remains in our hearts and minds. No university in the nation does something like this to honor fallen students, and I feel honored to attend a school that takes such pride in preserving traditions like bonfire remembrance and historic sites like the Bonfire Memorial. It humbles me to be able to be a part of something so great.”

Of the victims, two-thirds were members of the Corps of Cadets, an organization that had been deeply embedded in the building of Bonfire since its start. As he reflected on the stories of the fallen, Swinnea said there is one name in particular that stands out to him.

“One of the victims of the Bonfire stack collapse was Christopher Lee Heard ’03. He passed away as a freshman in Company K-2, the same outfit that I am from. He attended high school at the Marine Military Academy in Harlingen, Texas, which is also my hometown,” Swinnea said. “These small similarities have made me realize that life can be taken away at any moment in time, even as a freshman in the Corps, so you should really cherish those around you and value your interactions and time spent with them.”

Though 23 years have passed, the memory of the 12 victims has not faded for the Texas A&M community.

“Bonfire is a somber tradition. However, we should remember the fallen for who they were as people and what they stood for while attending this university. We should rejoice that we were able to know them as people, to know them through their stories and life experiences. It’s important to remember and commemorate past Aggies for what they did for the university during their time here, no matter how long ago it was. Once you become an Aggie, you join a family whose bonds can’t be broken,” Jenkins said.

No matter how many years have passed, Aggies of the past, present and future will come together to remember the twelve young lives that were lost on Nov. 18, 1999. Their embodiment of the Aggie Spirit lives on within each of us, and is something that Texas A&M and the Corps of Cadets will strive to remember for many generations to come.

In memory of:

Miranda Denise Adams ‘02, Christopher D. Breen ‘96, Michael Stephen Ebanks ‘03, Jeremy Richard Frampton ‘99, Jamie Lynn Hand ‘03, Christopher Lee Heard ‘03, Timothy Doran Kerlee, Jr ‘03, Lucas John Kimmel ‘03, Bryan A. McClain ‘02, Chad A. Powell ‘03, Jerry Don Self ‘01, Nathan Scott West ‘02.

Here.

Story by: Robin Nelson '22

Caroline Sauter ’23

November 16, 2022 by rnelson

Hometown: New Orleans, Louisiana

Major: Civil Engineering

Outfit: Company E-2

The current Public Relations, Recruiting and Finance Officer for Second Regiment, Caroline Sauter ’23 is originally from Company E-2. During her sophomore year in E-2, Caroline served as the second handler to Miss Reveille.

In addition to her work with Second Regiment, Caroline is a member of Parsons Mounted Cavalry, where she serves as the Sophomore Training Officer. In this role, Caroline works to prepare the Class of 2025 to be confident in their skills and become a part of something greater than themselves.

“The Corps has given me many opportunities to develop my leadership throughout each class year and at the outfit, major unit, and special unit levels. I can see the lessons that I have learned directly relate to what I will be experiencing in the workforce, and I am confident that I will be able to overcome and learn from any situation thrown my way. I am proud to be a member of the Corps of Cadets because of all that it has done to help me set, maintain and achieve my goals,” Caroline said of her time in the Corps.

After graduation, Caroline plans to work for a Civil Engineering firm and obtain her Practice of Engineering Certificate.