News

Texas A&M Cadets to March 1,000 Miles in Support of the Special Operations Warrior Foundation

December 7, 2023 by rnelson

Members of the Project Atlas team stand in front of the Corps of Cadets arches. — **Pictured from L-R:** Bryan Plasczyk, Nico Barrera, Christian Lange, Max Hulen, Zach Lehmann, Noah Hawkins, Nicholas Klein, Grey Mills.

An eight-man team, known as “Project Atlas Rucks”, will hike a cumulative 1,000 miles across nine days, raising funds and awareness for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. After departing from Texas A&M’s campus in College Station, Texas, these cadets will travel west to Colorado, where their ruck march will begin.

In 2017, members of Company H-1 in the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets began Project Atlas Rucks, a service initiative that, through a team ruck march across various locations in the western part of the country, looked to support the Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF). The term “ruck march” is in reference to the rucksack carried on the backs of the cadets that holds their extra layers of clothing, food and water.

In the years following, the project saw a great deal of success. To date, Project Atlas has raised a cumulative $73,964 for the non-profit, which benefits children of military special operators who have died or been injured while serving our nation by ensuring their access to comprehensive educational support, from primary to post-secondary school.

Following the consolidation of Company H-1 at the conclusion of the 2021-2022 school year, Project Atlas did not occur last fall. This year, however, eight cadets, several of whom are former members of Company H-1, have decided to revive the efforts.

“The project was an event that our upperclassmen in Company H-1 had done for years, but it had been put to the side after the unit was deactivated. As time went on, distance grew between those of us who are still current members of the Corps, and it felt as if we lost a part of our self-identity. So, a couple of us sat down and came up with the idea of reviving the Project Atlas Rucks,” Bryan Plasczyk ‘24, Commanding Officer of Company P-2 and Project Atlas Team Lead, said.

“Since we had seen our upperclassmen complete the project for years, we decided it was our turn to follow in the footsteps of the men that we looked up to and give back to an organization that we revere.”

This year’s trip will begin on December 12th, where the team will depart from Texas A&M’s Quad enroute to Pueblo, Colorado. Upon arriving in Colorado the following day, the team’s march toward their cumulative 1,000 mile goal will begin.

“After leaving from College Station and driving up to Pueblo, we will then ruck west toward Montrose. We will be going through Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests, just to name a few key locations. We chose this route because it was a straight shot to hitting our 1,000-mile goal and would keep us relatively close to Texas, ensuring we can make it back to College Station in time for Christmas,” Plasczyk said.

In a true display of Texas A&M’s core values, members of the team have a goal to raise $15,000 for the SOWF over the course of their journey.

“The display of selfless service from our cadets through their participation in this project is profound. These students, who have had an undeniably busy semester, are now using their winter break as an opportunity to raise funds for a very worthy cause. Their actions and motivation to serve our nation’s heroes truly speaks to the kind of leaders that we are building here in the Corps of Cadets. We couldn’t be prouder of them,” Brigadier General Patrick Michaelis ‘93, Commandant of the Corps of Cadets, said.

The team is scheduled to complete their ten-day ruck march on December 21st in Gunnison, Colorado.

This year’s Project Atlas Rucks participants are:

Bryan Plasczyk ‘24 of Cypress, Texas
Grey Mills ‘24 of Mooresville, North Carolina
Max Hulen ‘25 of Charleston, South Carolina
Zach Lehmann ‘25 of Keller, Texas
Nico Barerra ‘25 of Sugar Land, Texas
Noah Hawkins ‘25 of The Woodlands, Texas
Nicholas Klein ‘25 of Springtown, Texas
Christian Lange ‘25 of Austin, Texas

A link to give to the Project Atlas campaign can be accessed here.

Regular updates about this year’s Project Atlas Ruck march will be posted on the @aggiecorps Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and @projectatlasrucks on Instagram and Facebook.

Update (1/8/2024): This year's Project Atlas Rucks team successfully completed their 1,000 mile journey and exceeded their fundraising goal by $472.

Read Additional Media Coverage:

The Eagle (Bryan/College Station Newspaper)

KBTX (Bryan/College Station News)

Story By: Robin Nelson '22

Cadets Say Goodbye and Look Ahead At Final Review

April 28, 2023 by rnelson

First referenced in an 1897 edition of The Battalion, Final Review was originally referred to as “graduating dress parade” and was held immediately following the university’s graduation ceremony. During this parade, the junior class would present the departing seniors with a gift, and those who were not graduating would formally assume their new positions in the Corps for the upcoming year.

Today, Final Review still serves as the last Corps event for graduating seniors, but is held before the university’s commencement ceremonies. This transitional event features two passes in review, with the first pass symbolizing the success of the current year’s Corps of Cadets, and the second representing the upcoming year, with each rising cadet marching in their respective new uniforms and ranks.

During the second pass, outgoing seniors traditionally line the O.R. Simpson Drill Field to cheer on the rising Corps.

“At Final Review last year, I tried so hard to keep my military bearing while walking past the class of 2022, but it was just impossible not to smile. It’s surreal to think that my own time here is drawing to a close. It’s a bittersweet feeling because I have never lived in one place for this long, but I’m also looking forward to doing new and greater things. I can’t wait to scream my lungs out for the class of 2024 as they pass as seniors. I hope they have fun and leave their time in the Corps proud of what they’ve accomplished and with no regrets,” Bailey LaMotte ‘23, 2022-2023 Third Brigade Commander, said.

Second pass is also the only time that the Corps of Cadets will assemble and pass in review without a freshman class, as the new freshmen will not arrive until Fall Orientation Week in August.

“Throughout the year, I have developed more as a person than I could have ever imagined. I have gained confidence in my ability to lead and formed friendships that will last for the rest of my life. I am excited to officially become a sophomore at Final Review and have the chance to teach the incoming fish what it means to be a member of the Corps. I hope to lead the class of 2027 by being the best I can be and pushing them to do the same, ” Madison Cronin ‘26, rising Guidon Bearer for Company A-1 said.

As one of the Corps’ most anticipated events, Final Review serves as a farewell to the outgoing senior class and the first chapter of the upcoming year.

“The class of 2023 has been a truly inspirational group to learn from. I owe a great deal to many members of the class for having helped me so much over the past three years and for being so supportive of me. It’s surreal that my class will be stepping in to take their place. I’m genuinely so excited to learn next year. I’ve been given such a great opportunity to work closely with some amazing leaders and mentors, and I look forward to seeing how much we grow over the next year” Callie Guest ‘24, rising Corps Chief of Staff, said.

Across all class years, Final Review symbolizes a period of transition, a celebration of growth and the first mark for what the next year in the Corps of Cadets holds. As the organization continues on the march to 3,000, the Corps of Cadets will remain dedicated to upholding tradition and building capable leaders for the future.

Story By: Robin Nelson ’22

Cadet Steven Salazar Wins NCJA Collegiate National Championship

April 28, 2023 by rnelson

The Corps of Cadets is home to students with a variety of interests, hobbies and career goals. Among these students is cadet Steven Salazar ‘26, a Kinesiology major from Whittier, California. Throughout his time in the Corps, Steven has continued his passion for judo.

“I actually learned about the Corps through a former cadet at a judo competition. In Utah, at the Youth Nationals in 2021, I met my current coach, Bob Perez, by coincidence. He gave me more information about the Judo program at A&M and introduced me to former cadet, Michael Mutz, who then spiked my interest in joining the Corps,” Steven said.

As a member of the Texas A&M Judo team, Steven has competed on the national stage, carrying the lessons he learned as a member of the Corps with him along the way.

“I recently competed in the National Collegiate Judo Association (NCJA) Collegiate National Championship, where I placed first. This was a highly competitive tournament in which student-athletes from across the United States competed,” Steven said.

“Something that I have learned from my experience thus far in the Corps of Cadets is that discipline, hard work and proper time management are crucial elements in being successful. While training for this tournament, I was diligent in my work ethic, as I was disciplined enough to attend as many practices as I could, even after a long day. I feel that this perseverance led to my success at the tournament.”

With his hard work paying off in the NCJA Collegiate National Championship, Steven will now represent the United States and Texas A&M on the world stage in China this summer.

“Winning this tournament qualified me to compete at the World University Games, which is held in Chengdu, China from July 27th through August 2nd. I am very excited to represent my country, Texas A&M, the Corps and Company F-2 at the World University Games. This is only the next step for my judo career, as it’s a goal of mine to compete in the Olympics someday. I plan to continue to work diligently in order to achieve this goal,” Steven said.

When considering what the Corps of Cadets has done for him, Steven shared some words of advice to those who may be interested in joining the organization.

“The Corps has developed me as a leader by placing me in high stress situations that require me to act accordingly under pressure. Being able to make important decisions while under stress is an important skill for leaders to understand and practice. The Corps is a challenging investment that will reward you with many life lessons, experiences and opportunities in the future.”

As Texas A&M’s premier leadership organization, the Corps of Cadets provides students with the necessary tools to succeed within the organization, in the classroom and in their outside endeavors. As a cadet and a member of the Texas A&M Judo team, Steven has taken full advantage of the opportunities available to him on Texas A&M’s campus.

Story By: Robin Nelson ’22

PMC Cadets Speak At Waco Muster

April 28, 2023 by rnelson

Each year, on the anniversary of the Battle of San Jacinto, April 21st, Aggies around the globe gather to honor those lost during the year at Muster. A time to reflect on one’s time in Aggieland, Muster annually serves as Texas A&M’s most visible celebration of the Aggie family.

This year, four cadets in Parsons Mounted Cavalry (PMC) traveled to Waco, Texas to serve as speakers at the Greater Waco A&M Club’s Muster ceremony.

“I had the honor of being one of the speakers for the Waco Muster. Parsons Mounted Cavalry was asked to come down and speak about PMC and what it means to be a member of the Corps of Cadets. To me, Muster is the epitome of Aggie tradition. It shows that the university and the Aggie family don’t just view you as a number,” Mason Doige ‘24 said.

Mason views his participation in Waco’s Muster ceremony as a representation of the Corps’ unwavering dedication to all of Texas A&M’s cherished traditions.

“Being a cadet means you are a Guardian of Tradition and a Keeper of the Spirit. We are at the forefront of Texas A&M. We participate in every tradition, whether it’s through simple attendance or through active participation, like in Silver Taps and Muster. While many non-cadets may not participate in these traditions or attend only some, members of the Corps attend all of them. If no one else attended these traditions, there would still be a guaranteed 2,000 cadets there, and that means a lot to me.”

Though their participation in this Muster ceremony looked a bit different from the on-campus iteration, cadets who traveled to the Waco Muster were able to witness another side of the tradition.

“Since this was my first off-campus Muster, I got to see the Aggie Spirit outside of College Station. I realized that the Aggie Spirit is just as strong off-campus as it is on, and I found comfort in knowing that one day I would reconnect with my buddies to honor our own. Muster encourages company and cheer in times of grief. Muster reminds us that we are not alone, wherever we may be after our time at A&M,” Caroline Sauter ‘23 said.

Though Muster ceremonies may vary based on location, the camaraderie is ever present across each of them. From College Station to Corregidor, the Aggie family will continue to meet each year on April 21st to honor our fallen, and the Corps of Cadets will continue to be a cornerstone of this event.

Story By: Robin Nelson ’22

Squadron 21 Participates In Bataan Memorial Death March

March 23, 2023 by rnelson

Soon after their attack on Pearl Harbor, Japanese forces began their invasion of the Philippines. Having just entered World War II and recognizing the importance of having troops in the Philippines, the U.S. combined forces with Philippine troops in defense of the crucial lands.

These brave soldiers fought in a malaria-infested region and survived on insufficient amounts of food and a severe lack of medical supplies. The soldiers retreated to the Philippine Peninsula when Japanese forces were reinforced and overwhelmed the U.S.-Filipino force. After 9 months of intense fighting despite harsh conditions and a great lack of supplies, approximately 75,000 United States and Filipino troops were surrendered by U.S. Major General Edward King Jr. to Japanese forces.

Captive soldiers were forced to march 65 miles across the Bataan Peninsula, an event that became known as the Bataan Death March. During this march, thousands died. Those who survived were forced to face the harsh conditions of prisoner of war camps. Once a part of these POW camps, those imprisoned would not see freedom again until 1945, when U.S.-Filipino forces reclaimed the territory.

This year, in honor of this tragic event, Squadron 21 sent a team of six cadets to participate in the Bataan Memorial Death March in White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. A major piece of Squadron 21’s identity is their commitment to recognizing our nation’s Prisoners of War and those deemed Missing in Action.

“It is important to Squadron 21 that we remember the sacrifices of all POWs and MIAs. Our outfit was founded as a living memorial of First Lieutenant Victor Hugo Thompson III ‘64, a former member of Hellcat 9, the predecessor to Squadron 21. However, there are thousands of other POWs/MIAs whose stories are never told. It is important for us to do events like the Bataan Memorial Death March to honor the heroism of these men,” Shaun Boothe ‘23, Commanding Officer of Squadron 21 said.

For one member of Squadron 21, the Bataan Death March in particular is significant to his own family’s history.

“Part of my family heritage is the story of Major John S. Coleman, Jr, Texas Agricultural and Mechanical College class of 1927,” William Walder ‘24 said.

“He left his wife and two kids to go serve his country in the Philippines. He was in command of the 27th Material Squadron with the Army Air Corps. After he was captured, he survived the brutal Bataan Death March, and then spent the next three and a half years doing hard labor in POW camps. He kept a shorthand journal throughout the war at great risk, and used it later on in his life to write a book about his experiences, called ‘Bataan and Beyond, Memories of an American POW’.”

“The opportunity to pay homage to an important part of Aggie and personal heritage connects me to the past in a far greater way than reading history. A large number of the officers in the Philippines were from TAMC, as they were reserve officers. We often talk of the muster at Corregidor, honoring the brave Aggies that fought in those dark hours. I am able to also honor those less remembered Aggies on the peninsula,” Walder went on to say.

Though this is Squadron 21’s first year participating in the memorial march, the outfit intends to keep this tradition alive for years to come.

“Most of the planning was conducted by Treacy Collier ‘25, who is the rising First Sergeant of Squadron 21. He isn’t even a participant of the march but took on the challenge to plan and coordinate this first time event. It is a demonstration of the servant leadership that we strive to teach in Squadron 21. We were able to receive a $1,700 grant from Quad Moms that covered registration fees, equipment and travel expenses. With more funding and awareness of the event in the future, our hope is to be able to send a much larger team in years to come,” Boothe said.

Squadron’s 21 participation in the Bataan Memorial Death March event is a reflection of the Corps of Cadets’ drive to honor the past while recognizing the contributions of those who gave so much.

Story By: Robin Nelson '22