Freshmen Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets

fish review fall of 2006

freshman cadets called fish . first year, fish year analogous experiences of rooks @ norwich university, knobs @ citadel, rats of virginia tech corps of cadets, rats @ virginia military institute, frogs @ university of north georgia, doolies @ united states air force academy, or plebes @ of other u.s. federal service academies.

a fish recognized fact garrison cap (aka biter) plain , not embellished braid, or black cotton belt. freshman biter worn deep tuck in back, forms peak reminiscent of fish tail, , first-semester freshmen wear brass a.m.u. devices on lapels, rather corps insignia or band lyre worn upperclassmen. freshmen , sophomores required wear metal taps on heels of shoes; facilitates marching in step. in addition, male fish must maintain extremely short hairstyle known colloquially fish cut.

corps fish not known first name , term fish applied in stead. in use, word fish written in lowercase letters. thus, john smith become fish smith. freshman last name not known speaker referred generic name fish jones. corps freshmen introduce upperclassmen cadets formalized procedure known whipping out, wherein fish bends or arm @ elbow, slaps against side of torso, grasps upperclassman s hand, , proceeds recite prescribed whip-out dialogue (example below).

fish: howdy! fish jones name, ma am!
upperclassman: s smith.
fish: howdy ms. smith, ma am! ms. smith, ma am?
uc: m college station, texas. you, fish?
fish: fish bryan, texas, ms. smith, ma am! course taking ms. smith, ma am?
uc: m taking general studies. you, fish?
fish: fish taking university studies, ms. smith, ma am! s nice have met ms. smith, ma am!

the freshman pops attention , sounds off , loudly greeting upperclassman howdy, ms. smith, ma am! point on, freshman expected remember name, hometown, , major of upperclassman @ future meeting, , expected greet him or appropriately. if fish not recall upperclassman s name, or must whip out again. freshmen must observe complex set of rules governing when , whipping out , greeting upperclassmen appropriate. example, fish in band must whip out other bandsmen anywhere on campus, need not whip out non-band cadets unless on quad.

as academic year progresses, upperclassmen units other freshman s own begin drop handles fish, meaning upperclassman has granted fish permission use or first name , speak more informally. upperclassmen may drop handles after meeting fish first time if fish conducts whip-out procedure in particularly impressive manner; indicate upperclassman intends drop handles , ask fish, s mamma call you? @ point freshman may give or true first name. freshmen still under obligation obey orders, upperclassmen have dropped handles them.

questions upperclassmen answered 1 of 5 fish answers:

yes, sir/ma am!
no, sir/ma am!
no excuse, sir/ma am! (given in response why question)
(class year), sir/ma am! (given in response question answer numeric value, regardless of actual answer)
sir/ma am, not being informed highest degree of accuracy hesitate articulate fear may deviate true course of rectitude. in short sir/ma am, dumb fish, , not know, sir/ma am! (given in response question above 4 answers not apply; answer recited possible)

a fish may give more detailed answer question if upperclassman asked says really? upperclassman may after fish has first recited appropriate fish answer, or after asking question, in event freshman may answer question normally.

additionally, every fish required know answers wide number of questions including, s chow? , how many days until final review? , , long list of university history, or campusology, questions. each morning , evenings, fish in each outfit run whistle jock, blowing police whistle , announcing impending formations or activities unit. whistle jock s announcement may simple naming upcoming event , uniform worn, or complex including weather, menu chow, sergeant and/or officer of day, , special announcements requested upperclassmen. evening chow, several fish each outfit run fish of day, setting outfit s table(s) @ duncan dining hall prior formation, returning dorms after chow assist seniors in removing boots.

corps fish not privileged live in room, , residence in dorm called hole. likewise, roommate in dorm called ol lady, though term used throughout cadet s corps career. furthermore, fish instructed not allowed want, think, like, or feel, , prohibited taking shortcuts using abbreviations (pt must called physical training, quad quadrangle, etc.). cadets started in same class year known fish buddies . corps fish sit mandatory evening study time (est) during school week after evening chow. allows period of quiet uninterrupted study each night, , fish periodically checked unit s sergeant of day ensure indeed studying.

freshman cadets in corps must maintain holes in spotless condition @ times, , prohibited keeping accessories such televisions, radios, posters, , food in these quarters. freshmen in uniform must keep number of unique items on person, such nail clippers, slide ruler, white glove or polishing cloth, university i.d. card, , copy of cadence, guide- , rulebook issued freshman cadets; dish card, bearing core values of corps of cadets, required. units require fish run, rather walk, inside dorms during academic day, , restrict them use of 1 side of dormitory hallways (the exact amount of room permitted delineated floor tiles).

march brazos