HomeMy WebLinkAboutConcise Corps History - Dethloff CONCISE CORPS HISTORY
Established in 1871 under the provisions of the Morrill Land -Grant College Act }1862,
the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas (AMC) formally opened its doors for
instruction on October 4, 1876.' As was the case with all land -grant institutions, AMC was
founded to provide instruction in agriculture and the mechanic arts. It was also responsible for
educating and training men in military science. From this foundation, the Texas A &M Corps
of Cadets was born.
Much of the proud heritage of Texas A&&M is built around the Corps of Cadets. Student
life and Aggie traditions at A &M were molded by the Corps of Cadets. While other colleges
permitted and encouraged sororities and fraternities, no such social organizations developed at
A &M until the 1970s. Texas A &M did have a number of academic, honor, social, and
hometown clubs and organizations, but the Corps of Cadets became the single, all encompassing
fraternity for all the students. This has helped make Texas A &M a unique institution of higher
learning. From the beginning and continuing for most of the twelve decades since Texas A &M
was established, the Corps has been the keeper of the Aggie spirit and the guardian of Aggie
traditions. Changes in Texas A &M during the past three decades have modified this somewhat.
'Dethloff, Centennial History, p. 29
2 Leftwich, p. 19
3 Dethloff, Pictorial History, p. 21
4 Leftwich, p. 96
Although the Corps of Cadets ceased to be a majority of the students at Texas A &M more
than two decades ago, it still remains a significant element in the public image of the university
and is widely recognized for its public service as well as for its polished military precision and
the leadership training it provides to its members.
The Corps is a very proud organization, deep and rich in tradition. Its members are well
versed in the long - standing traditions of their student group and hold the Corps in very high
regard before, during, and after their association with the organization.
An insight into how the Corps views its traditional background and the ideology it
emphasizes when integrating new members 'can be seen from this message printed in The
STANDARD of 1972. "The Corps of Cadets has long been known for its gallant fighting spirit.
You, as a member of the Corps, will soon feel this spirit and will make it a apart of your daily
life, for it is this spirit that imbues all with the feeling of unity and devotion to A &M. It is a
spirit gained through hard work and loyalty to the Corps and to the University, and it attaches
itself so firmly to cadets of A &M that they carry it with them the rest of their lives - -Once an
Aggie, Always an Aggie. ...Cadets who have been here before you have been responsible for
preserving the best in our Aggie traditions and, as you learn them, you too will be responsible
for passing them on, untarnished. "
Adherence to tradition coupled with undying loyalty make the Corps of Cadets a unique
organization composed of highly dedicated individuals who administer change for the better while
'The STANDARD, 1972, P. 8
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keeping intact the traditional aspects which make the Corps what it is. That is why one can find
ideas developed during the early existence of the Corps highly treasured even today. These early
ideas have been applied to contemporary military and educational needs so that their relevance
is not questioned.
The Corps has trained and commissioned officers for United States (and foreign) military
service since its conception. Aggie officers have served in defense of freedom under the
American flag in every major conflict since the Spanish- American War. Texas A &M trained
and commissioned over 5,000 reserve officers during World War II, and more than 7,000 other
Aggies who received military instruction at A &M were commissioned through Officer Candidate
Schools. More former students of Texas A &M served as officers in World War II than from
any other institution, including the United States Military Academy.
From the ranks of the Texas A &M Corps of Cadets during the -war came seven recipients
of the Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual for
gallantry in the line of duty. Five of these medals were awarded posthumously. Numerous
Distinguished Service Crosses - -the second highest honor - -have been awarded to individuals
trained within the Corps of Cadets.
Twenty -nine Aggies served as generals during the ; untold others demonstrated
unusual heroism, and thousands more produced examples of men determinedly doing their job.
In a speech to the graduating class of 1950, General Omar Bradley said, "The men of Texas
6 Leftwich, p. 96
' Leftwich, p. 96
s Dethloff, Centennial History, p. 471
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A &M can stand up to any men in the world and compare favorably their education and training
for leadership -- leadership in the pursuits of peace, and if it comes to war, leadership in battle.
As of 1991, over 180 former students of Texas A &M have attained flag rank in the military
services."
Texas A &M had its Corps of Cadets training for, and serving in, the armed services four
decades before the ROTC program was created by the National Defense Act of June 3, 1916.
A &M was approved by the United States War Department to establish a Senior ROTC program
on October 19, 1916. Peak enrollment in the Corps reached 8,651 during the 1946 -47 school
year." For a variety of reasons, including declining enrollment, general disenchantment with
the military, and difficulty in recruiting athletes, Texas A &M took two measures in the 1960s.
The most far - reaching was to admit females, first on a restricted basis and finally without
restrictions. The second was to admit Blacks in 1974. Texas A &M created its first female unit
in the Corps. Separate units for females were continued until 1991 when females were integrated
into limited to a ited number of units which were formerly all male. New female cadets are allowed
to choose to become members of one of these integrated units. All other Corps units remain all
male.
The Corps also maintains its own distinctive uniform fashioned after those worn by the
U.S. Army during the 1940s. These uniforms are worn every day and are another one of the
many ways in which the Corps of Cadets has maintained the unique qualities which separate it
9 Dethloff, Centennial History, p. 450
10 Ness and Oaks, p. 45
Dethloff, Centennial History, p. 583
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from the ROTC units at other American universities.
Throughout the twelve decades it has existed, the Corps has experienced many changes
and has met each with the determination necessary to solve the problems those changes might
cause. The first major change occurred in 1947 when the freshmen were moved to the annex
(Bryan Army Airfield, now the Riverside Campus) about 3-j miles from the main campus
primarily to prevent hazing but also to simplify training. In 1950 the freshmen were returned
to the main campus and integrated into the regular corps units. For a few years immediately
after World War I, limited numbers of civilian_ students, primarily veterans, were enrolled at
Texas A &M and were known as casuals. In 1955, participation in the Corps of Cadets became
optional for juniors and seniors. No longer was Texas A &M solely a military school, yet the
Corps of Cadets survived. The major change in Texas A &M University and challenge to the
Corps occurred in 1965 when participation in the Corps was made completely optional to all
students. This, along with the decision to admit females and Blacks, resulted in a tremendous
increase in enrollment at Texas A &M. The student body has grown from 9,500 in 1965 to
41,000 in 1991. Participation in the Corps has ranged between 2,000 and 2,500 for the last two
decades. Even in the face of all these changes, the Corps has remained a centerpiece of the
university and one of the strongest keepers of the spirit of Aggieland.
12 Leftwich, p. 27
13 Leftwich, p. 30
14 Leftwich, p. 14
15 Leftwich, p. 35
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Cadets continue to be involved and can be found in virtually all facets of university life
and campus organizations. The Corps itself also has distinct organizations available to cadets,
and these groups are well -known for their contributions to the university and the experiences and
camaraderie to their members.
Well known to people across the country is the Aggie Band. The first Aggie Band,
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consisting of 16 members, was formed in f4 under the direction of Arthur Jenkins and Joseph
Holick, a local Czech cobbler. The band's primary purpose was to provide festive music at
special events such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. This group of individuals is now a highly
respected and very popular unit of the Corps of Cadets. Performing at football games,
presidential inaugurations, or parades, the Aggie Band of approximately 300 members portrays
some of the best qualities the Corps has to offer. The Band was an all male organization until
1985. That year six females joined the ranks of the Band as a result of a court order mandating
that females be admitted to all military organizations at Texas A &M.
The Fish Drill Team (FDT)-- composed entirely of freshmen -- originated in 1947 while
the freshmen were living at the Riverside Campus and had more time on their hands since their
upperclassmen were twelve miles away. They have competed in national and state
championships earning numerous titles in each competition. The most amazing concept of the
Fish Drill Team is that they compete against drill teams composed of upperclassmen that have
been drilling together for as long as four years. The FDT is a new group of cadets each year!
Numerous other organizations within the Corps are open all cadets, but one of the
16 Adams, (1989), p. 8:E
17 Leftwich, p. 30
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
Adams, John A., Jr. "Texas A &M Corps of Cadets. ", Bryan- College Station Eagle 27 April
1989, sec. 8:E.
- - -. We Are The Aggies: Texas A &M University Association of Former Students. College
Station, Texas: Texas A &M University Press, 1979.
Dethloff, Henry C. A Centennial History of Texas A &M University. 1876 -1976. 2 Vols.
College Station, Texas: Texas A &M University Press, 1975.
- - -. A Pictorial History of Texas A &M University. 1876 -1976. College Station, Texas: Texas
A &M University Press, 1975.
Leftwich, Bill J. The Corps At Aggieland. Lubbock, Texas: Smoke Signal Publishing
Company, 1976.
Ness, Suzanne and Kathleen J. Oaks. "A Journal of Texas A &M History.", Texas Aggie
Volume 56, November 1975: 33 -63.
The STANDARD: Texas A &M Corps of Cadets 1972.
The STANDARD: Texas A &M Corps of Cadets. 1990.
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