by amy.thompson
Aggie Football v. Sam Houston
9:15 AM – Corps of Cadets falls out on the Quad
9:25 AM – Cannon Fires
9:30 AM – Corps steps off for march-in to Kyle Field
11:00 AM – Kick-off/Beat the Hell Outta Sam Houston State
Officers of The Day: Seniors from Company B-1 & Squadron 20
by rnelson
One of the most iconic symbols of the Corps of Cadets are the coveted senior boots. A part of every senior cadet’s uniform, these handcrafted boots are also the most expensive piece. Each year, hundreds of cadets are unable to afford purchasing their own boots. Recognizing the need for a solution to this issue, the Sam Houston Sanders Corps Center established the generous Boot Loan Program in 2003. Through the Corps Center, cadets are loaned a pair of boots for their senior year, and add their names to the rich history of cadets that have worn the same pair before them.
Naturally, after many years of wear, older boots become unserviceable and can no longer be used by the Boot Loan Program. Though their use as senior boots comes to an end, members of Parsons Mounted Cavalry’s Leather Chain are able to repurpose them and extend their useability through a number of different projects.
“It’s amazing to me to be able to give these boots a new purpose. There is so much history and tradition imbued in them, and to be able to continue using them by turning them into useful items allows us to preserve their beauty and purpose,” Jackson Ghatalia ‘23 (Company A-1) said of the opportunity.
Not only do these projects allow for the leather to be repurposed, they also allow cadets to express their creativity while developing a new skill.
“My favorite part about working on these projects is the ability to gain and develop such an amazing skill. I love learning new things, and to learn more about a skill that not many people have is quite amazing. You gain a level of respect for the amount of work that it takes to craft many everyday leather products, and gain the skills to start doing your own work and making things for yourself and others that will be cherished for years,” Jackson said.
These leather projects are just one of the many opportunities that cadets have to express themselves and learn new skills. The Corps of Cadets enables and encourages every member to discover, explore, and develop new passions.
Story by: Robin Nelson ’22
by amy.thompson
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Major: Finance
Outfit: Company E-2
Leighton Durham ‘22 is currently the Commanding Officer of Company C-2, where he also served as the First Sergeant during the 2020-2021 academic year. Prior to joining Company C-2, Leighton was a member of Company E-2, where he and his buddies earned the honor of caring for Miss Reveille IX in the Spring of 2019. Leighton is also a member of Parsons Mounted Cavalry.
“Joining PMC was a real dive off the deep end as I had never really ridden horses before. I really enjoy my time with PMC and it pushes me out of my comfort zone everyday that I go out to ride,” Leighton said of his experience with PMC.
Upon graduation Leighton plans to attend the Bush School of Government and Public Service.
by amy.thompson
Hometown: Hurst, Texas
Major: Industrial Distribution
Outfit: Company S-2
Erin Keohane ‘22 currently serves as the Recruiting Officer for Company S-2. Erin has held a variety of positions within the outfit, including Guidon Bearer and Platoon Sergeant. Outside of her outfit, Erin serves as the Public Affairs Officer for the Texas A&M NROTC Battalion and is a Platoon Leader within Parsons Mounted Cavalry. Erin was also previously involved with the Corps Women’s Soccer Team for two seasons.
“My experiences in the Corps and in Parsons Mounted Cavalry have taught me to consistently push myself outside of my comfort zone and that true leadership comes from a place of humility,” Erin said of her time in the Corps.
Off the Quad, Erin is involved in a number of activities. She has spent much of her time volunteering as a group leader with the John 15 group at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, where she serves as a mentor to freshman students. Erin is also a member of the Professional Association for Industrial Distribution (PAID).
After graduating from Texas A&M in December of 2022, Erin will commission into the United States Navy as an Ensign, where she hopes to serve as a Naval Aviator.
