Off The Quad Involvement

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.

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

Landon Perdue ’24

November 28, 2023 by rnelson

Hometown: Montgomery, Texas

Major: Public Health

Outfit: B-Company

Originally from B-Company, Landon Perdue ’24 presently serves as the Commanding Officer of the Infantry Band.

On the Quad, Landon is a member of the O.R. Simpson Honor Society, the General T.G. Darling Recruiting Company and the Corps Men’s Soccer Team.

Off the Quad, Landon is a member of the Texas A&M Pre-Dental Society.

“The Corps of Cadets is the only organization I know of that allows its members to practice the art of leadership every single day. Through experiences with my buddies, other members of this Corps and the staff at the Hollingsworth Center for Ethical Leadership, I have developed a deeper understanding of human interaction and what it means to be a leader in our ever-changing world. As I prepare to move forward, beyond my undergraduate studies, I am confident that the skills and values I have gained over the last four years will serve to fuel my future and provide direction for my career,” Landon said of his time in the Corps.

After graduation, Landon plans to continue his education in dental school. Upon completion of dental school, Landon hopes to serve as a dentist in one of the service branches.

Seth Wallick ’24

November 1, 2023 by rnelson

Genevieve Pace ’24

October 16, 2023 by rnelson

Hometown: Colorado Springs, CO

Major: Aerospace Engineering

Outfit: Squadron 21

Originally from Squadron 21, Genevieve Pace ’24 serves as the 2023-2024 Second Group Commander.

On the Quad, Genevieve is a member of Parsons Mounted Cavalry. During her freshman year, Genevieve was a member of the National Champion Fish Drill Team.

Off the Quad, Genevieve is a member of the Texas A&M Women’s Rugby Team, and actively volunteers at the Aggieland Humane Society.

“The Corps has taught me how to be comfortable in the uncomfortable. Fish year it started with meeting my buddies and upperclassmen in my outfit who came from all walks of life- me as well being a first generation Aggie. As my Corps career continued, I was able to meet and develop myself through the people on the Fish Drill Team and Parsons Mounted Cavalry- cadets who come from their own backgrounds and own outfits. Currently in my senior year, I have the amazing opportunity to lead and command with cadets who are going into different walks of life once they graduate- future Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and private/civilian contractors. One of my favorite poems that highlights the Corps experience is Invictus. In the face of challenge, “my head is bloody, but unbowed.” Through the Corps experience and the challenges brought with it, I have found how unconquerable my soul really is. So once I leave this place, I have full confidence in my preparation to be a leader in this world,” Genevieve said of her time in the Corps.

After graduation, Genevieve plans to commission into the United States Air Force, where she will serve as an Aircraft Maintenance Officer.