Special units Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets

1 special units

1.1 ross volunteers
1.2 color guard
1.3 rudder s rangers
1.4 fish drill team
1.5 seal platoon
1.6 marine corps recon company
1.7 special tactics squadron
1.8 corps center guard
1.9 parsons mounted cavalry
1.10 gen. o.r. simpson honor society

special units

the following special units within corps of cadets can additionally members (for example cadet in d-2 member of ross volunteers, not band).

ross volunteers

the ross volunteers perform rifleman s salute candles lit deceased @ 2007 aggie muster @ reed arena

the ross volunteer company official honor guard governor of state of texas, and, aside cadet corps itself, oldest student organization in state of texas. started in 1887, organization named scott volunteers president of texas a&m. in 1898, company renamed texas a&m president lawrence sullivan ross. company lives creed, soldier, statesman, knightly gentleman.

the company composed of junior , senior cadets. cadets chosen on basis of honor, humility, , character. each fall, approximately 72 junior cadets selected company rv seniors. critical voting process, undisclosed outside sources, conducted select new junior inductees. once juniors inducted company, composed of newly selected juniors, 35 seniors holding leadership positions, , remaining senior members. senior rv members continually welcomed @ practices, events, , socials.

today, rv uniform distinctive white uniform, yellow trim. officers in rv company (commanding officer, executive officer, administrative officer, operations officer, , 3 platoon leaders) 1 non-commissioned officer (1st sergeant) wear silk red sash around waist of white uniform. rv company performs 3-volley, 21-gun salute @ traditional silver taps ceremony , @ annual campus muster event. in addition, rv company marches in several parades each year including rex parade on mardi gras in new orleans, louisiana. rvs serve honor guard of rex, king of mardi gras. other duties include texas gubernatorial events, funerals, weddings, , campus events.

color guard

the first thing seen afar during reviews, color guard represents corps devotion loyalty, pride, , patriotism. special unit consists of commanding officer, executive officer, , flagbearers/guards corps staff , every major unit except band.

rudder s rangers

rudder s rangers named james earl rudder, commander of 2nd ranger battalion stormed beaches @ normandy. upon retirement military, rudder became 16th president of texas a&m university.

rudder s rangers trains volunteer army rotc cadets , prepares them take part in of army s special training schools, such airborne school, air assault school, , ranger school. training happens on year-long process, during cadets participate in winter field training exercise @ fort hood , compete in texas a&m s best ranger competition. cadets meeting requirements awarded pin wear on uniform.

fish drill team

this all-freshman precision rifle drill team represents texas a&m , corps of cadets in competition other colleges @ military drill meets around nation. team has been part of corps life more 60 years , has won several national championships. participation involves daily rifle drill instruction , practice. other corps activities, poor academic performance results in suspension participation.

fish drill team class of 2014 marches kyle field

the team began when freshmen moved main campus deal overcrowding , hazing issues followed world war ii , return of war veterans a&m campus. freshmen moved riverside campus annex , lived in dorms of retired bryan air force base twelve miles campus. bussed class each day, lived in isolation rest of corps. out of boredom, freshmen organized freshman drill team , made debut performance among jeers , laughter of upperclassmen. end of performance however, team received standing ovation.

the fish drill team open freshman in corps willing accept challenges of being on team. @ beginning of each season, team consists of 300 fish drill team candidates. however, end of first semester number of candidates has dwindled down 40. fish drill team competes in precision drill competitions around united states each year , represents corps of cadets , texas a&m. have won numerous national championships, including 5 consecutive national titles @ national cherry blossom festival in washington, d.c. 1968 1972. national precision drill championship hosted @ national cherry blossom festival discontinued in 1974.

with absence of national drill meet, fish drill team continued winning. team won 16 consecutive texas state champion titles. in 1997, team put on hiatus 4 years due leadership concerns , issues, notably hazing of students. team reinstated in spring of 2002 class of 2005. however, class of 2006 first team compete since reinstatement, taking 2nd place @ national competition. since fish drill team has won overall national title every year, except 2009 when team placed 2nd, including recent win @ 2017 mardi gras drill meet hosted tulane university nrotc.

the fish drill team portrayed united states marine corps silent drill platoon during opening segment of 1992 film few men.

seal platoon

a team of cadets prepares cadets become navy seals, navy eod technicians or navy diving officers.

marine corps recon company

a team of cadets prepares cadets successful completion of marine corps basic reconnaissance course, allowing them become force recon or recon battalion members.

special tactics squadron

a team of cadets prepares cadets united states air force service within special operations fields. these include special tactics officer (sto), air liaison officer (alo), , combat rescue officer (cro). air force special operations forces can work sole units, commonly integrated army ranger battalion in special duties.

corps center guard

this historical unit strives preserve history of corps. run sanders corps of cadets center , give tours on daily basis. tribute past of a&m, members wear old uniforms of corps.

parsons mounted cavalry

a member of parsons mounted cavalry guarding spirit of 02 before home football game

parsons mounted cavalry preserves tradition of cavalry @ texas a&m. mounted unit formed in spring of 1973 preserve traditions of texas a&m cavalry of 1920s , 1930s. unit represents university @ parades, agricultural , equestrian events throughout texas. named after colonel thomas r. parsons 49 former commandant of cadets 1972 - 1978. active military commandant @ texas & m. during tenure women accepted in corps. “the cav” marches corps @ home football games.

this special unit maintains , keeps spirit of 02 . field gun found in fall of 1974 @ bonfire cut site near easterwood airport. cannon fired during home football games , midnight yell practice. legend has gun run away tumbled on ridge in film ve never been licked. through dedication , hard work of john gunter 79 , financing association of former students, limber/caisson found on ranch near georgetown, texas, wheels made in oklahoma city, , original mcclellan tack obtained.

gen. o.r. simpson honor society

cadets need have cumulative 3.4 gpa join. members foster new ideas of academic achievement, leadership , character in corps of cadets , promotion of scholastic excellence through academic related projects include tutor assistance , operation of study lounge cadets.