Maybe some of you can help me out. I recall a news story around 72-74 saying that sip ROTC would not allow their guys to wear their uniforms in between classes. They would hit the ROTC building, change into their uniforms and change back to civies prior to leaving. Of course this was due to the toxic environment at tu during those years. Can anyone confirm or deny this story? My tsip boss says it ain't so but I would like to cudgel him with the facts. By the way his boss is an Aggie.

It was not that way in 1970 at tu, but it would not surprise me at all if that happened in 1972-74.

I had some friends at San Jose State during the early 70's that couldn't wear their uniforms on campus.

In 1979 I went to a national climate conference at U of Wis, Madison. There were four AF climatologists that went - we were told not to wear our uniforms.

The University of Texas guy in the bunk next to mine at Fort Riley ROTC camp in 1973 told me the exact same thing. He stated that they were told to stuff their 'uniform' in a grocery bag and change in the crapper before/after class. For some strange reason I even remember the guy's name. He was from San Antonio like me, and had a summer job driving one of the tourista barges on the Riverwalk back in that era. Not a bad guy, but most of the non Aggie Army ROTC guys back then had a touch of nerd to them. Definitely swimming upstream in the social climate of the day. Another guy in my platoon was from Kent State. He had interesting personal experiences from the riot back in 1970, of later Crosby Stills Nash fame.

So, yeah, true story. Hook 'em, Horns.......

I knew it! Thanks WBBQ74! Now the needling begins.

Interesting. I was in grad school at tu 1974-1977 and taught freshman English and something called The American Experience, and I do not remember any of my students wearing a uniform, nor do I remember seeing anyone wearing a uniform on campus. Having been in the Corps at A&M, I think I would have chatted with someone in my classes who was in an ROTC uniform and I would remember that.

However, in my experience, most of the kids I knew were not political at all. I don't remember a single student who was in any way what we would think of as a "hippy" or an anti-war type, though some of the professors were.

I'm going to guess it was more like 72-74.

I was at tu in 1970-71 as a student on active duty (AF). Had to wear my uniform every Wed.

Was very poor at the time, with a new wife and one car. Parking anywhere near campus was very expensive. So every weekday, my wife would drive me to a satellite pickup spot where I could ride a tu shuttle bus to campus. Never had even a frown tossed my way.

There was a fairly sizable military presence at tu in 1970-71, over and above ROTC. Students from all military branches. Bootstrap undergrads and grad school students in both MS and PHD programs.

I was our groups rep on the committee that doled out MWR money, which was paid per month for every military student on campus. It was a fairly considerable sum. So I got to know a great many military students at tu. And we all wore our uniforms on campus every Wed.

In the Spring of 1971 we had one HELL of a Dining Out (all services) at the Bergstrom AFB O Club. And all services had at least one Flag Officer as guests - most had more than one.

At the same time, there was at least one anti-Viet Nam war demonstration a week on or near campus, with Jane Fonda and other anti-war luminaries making frequent appearances on the tu campus.

So I would not be at all surprised that in the 72-74 time frame military folks (including ROTC) did not wear their uniforms on campus.

Disclaimer: Loved Austin - hated tu. And still do, after all these years.




[This message has been edited by NormanAg (edited 8/15/2013 6:45p).]

Good friend of mine that I served with for years was either Corps or Air Force Wing Commander at Texas in '72. His comments:

"Wearing a military uniform on the UT campus '68 - '72 was not for the faint of heart. Even without the uniform, the haircut was a give away."

What you guys are relaying confirms the ban was probably a narrow time frame between 72 and 74. My boss graduated in 1971 and was unaware of the ban. Heck, I was even called a baby killer in the Academic building and my professors would recommend exiting the Corps as soon as possible. Not a good time to be in a uniform.

Agreed. My good memories are about my buds, not profs. It was a tough time to be wearing a 'military' uniform of any persuasion. I had some of the same experiences on campus, too.

Times are better now, but I have little regard for 'academic' types.



[This message has been edited by WBBQ74 (edited 8/23/2013 10:30a).]

I 1978 I represented Texas A&M Corps of Cadets at Boys State (held at tu during the summer). Nothing quite like being the only Zip in boots marching a bunch of hs seniors around tu!!!
The boys in my City wanted to march and sing jodies everywhere!!!