quote:

---

(Assuming we can still say BQ)

---

Haha this is a good point. Apparently we can't call people nicknames that have anything to do with their race or ethnicity. But I guess there is nothing wrong with calling people "band queers".

Guys, this will be my last response on this thread:

1. I made an innocent mistake in calling the commandant what I did and knowing now that it is an inappropriate, racial slur it won't happen again. We all make mistakes and I would ask for a little grace to be extended. I've learned that it's okay to disagree on various matters but it needs to be done in mature, professional manner.

2. My comments about the Corps being watered down were out of frustration. I realize that things in the Corps change over the years and the only ones who have a right to complain about it being watered down were the first class of seniors to ever graduate from A&M. I also realize that the Corps still cranks out wonderful leaders year in and year out. A lot of the ridiculous things you had to do as a cadet taught us all to persevere and appreciate the smaller things in life (i.e.- eating square meals makes you appreciate the opportunities you had to casually eat meals off the Quad) so when little things like that are done away with I just hope that the cadets' experience is challenging enough to learn those valuable lessons.

3. Thanks for calling me out on my errors and know that I am a work in progress still learning each day. BTHO Rice

Good post, Rebel.

nm

[This message has been edited by aTm FAN (edited 9/1/2013 7:28a).]

Live and learn.

This reminds me I need to renew my CCA membership. I only joined after the progress I saw from the new leadership. When cadets stopped running on the quad my Zip year, I thought it was all over. Well guess what?

As far as watering down...I can only speak to the officers that come out of the Corps over the last 15 years, and I'm pretty damn satisfied to see how they operate under extreme pressure....most attributed to the Corps and their respective commissioning source.

I have not once smoked a subordinate and was still able to keep them charging for a year in combat with no days off and little sleep to accompany those days. So, give the Corps 2000 new fish...and TRAIN them to standard, and you will have the quality you desire.

Anyway, the Commandant has my support even on issues I may not agree with. Once a decision is made (opinion...OK), it's our job to help him and the rest of the Corps succeed.

Since the start of FOW this year, which is 10 days long now, I've had the chance to have some close interaction with my old outfit for a recruiting project. This was the first time I've spent any real time with any current cadets since Final Review in '02 even though I decided to stay and live in B/CS.

There are some obvious differences from the time I was there, but the spirit is still there. The challenge is still present, it is just approached differently on occasion. The PT is still there, but just as when I was there, there will always be out of shape or bagged out cadets. That is the nature of the beast.

Of the photographs I've shared with some of the former members of my old outfit the comments tend to center around the lack of Campaign Covers during FOW, no facepaint during Airout and a bunch of questions about uniform changes. However it was apparent that the Corps of Cadets still thrives and is strong. Speaking with the fish it was very obvious that it is still very hard to be a fish and Pissheads are still Pissheads.

"However it was apparent that the Corps of Cadets still thrives and is strong. Speaking with the fish it was very obvious that it is still very hard to be a fish and Pissheads are still Pissheads."

excellent comment swooper!


When an 'old Ct' bemoans 'lack of old army' it is a refection on the old ct's ability to see the purpose and bigger picture of the Corps (and life in general)

Until BG got there, the Corps was beginning to lose it's relevance to the campus as a whole. the Corps is not some off campus frat. It must blend with the bigger picture. It must also exhibit 'servant/leadership'

I was a CT when BG was a bq. we were very good friends. We were in Town Hall and fish Camp together (I was Chairman the yr after him). The one thing we took away from our experience was the need to get away from childish and petty behavior that served no purpose in the real development of the cadet and the ability to seamlessly integrate with the larger non-reg student body.
THe Corps of Cadets CANNOT be 'me-too'. It must excel at the mission.
When BG & I were in the Corps, anyone could get in. So 'hazing' was a tool to weed out the weak.
Today, the University is weeding uot the weak.
What right does some random PH have to run of a school valedictorian???
LEADERSHIP demands that the upperclass work to develop the fish into the next generation. Not run them off w/ petty hazing.
The challenge and goal of today's Corps of Cadets is 100% retention.
That can only be accomplished when true leadership skills are taught.
There is only so much time in the day....at the end of the day what do you hope to accomplish?

[This message has been edited by infinitiaggie (edited 9/1/2013 8:26p).]

I was in E-2, as well at the Ross Volunteers. I think having a 21 gun salute for a dog is a little silly. But if it's what the people want... then give it to them! It's annoying hearing people refer to it as a "military funeral" though. Last time I checked, the Ross Volunteers is not a military organization. And a funeral conducted by E-2 would not be a "military funeral" because guess what, E-2 is not really a military organization.

quote:

---

When to the last funeral, think it was 1999, taps and 21 gun salute.

Thought it was good

A leader leads, this guy is no leader

---

LOL okay bro. Go through all his Officer Evaluation Reports, and tell all the senior officers who reccommended him for leadershp postions, that you know more about what qualifies a leader than them.

Why don't you ask for a $1 donation on campus to try and hire a Bugler on your own for her funeral and tell the commandant where to put it?

Once again (and my last post on this subject), just to be clear: Reveille VII's service was almost 2 weekes ago. It done. Over. Finished.

And, once again, the Commandant had absolutely NOTHING to do with the planning of that service. I offered my opinion on whether playing Taps for her service would be appropriate - an opinion I still stand by - but that was all it was - an opinion. The planning for Reveille's service had been completed by a university committee that I was not a part of several weeks before I was asked about it.

I hope this once again clears up any confusion out there about this matter. I am happy to discuss this matter with anybody who would like to get the truth. Just call or e-mail me and I'll be happy to set the record straight - again.

And for what its worth, I'm willing to bet that the individual who says I'm not a leader never served a day under my command or leadership. If he had, I doubt he'd be saying that.

Thanks again for your support of our Corps. Gig 'em and BTHO SMU!

Ags, Sorry to be late to this discussion - but, I myself have spent over 20 years as a civilian contractor after a full military service career and retirement as an officer.
From 2007-2010 I was in Korea - at the same time as BG Ramirez. I first met him at Muster and accidentally heard someone call him "General" at the Muster to which I "whipped out" (like a good Ag) and asked him, "Are you a general?" to which he replied, "yes". The reason this is pertinent is three-fold.
1) Gen Ramirez did not go around dressed as or with all the pomp and circumstance that he very easily could rightfully have to make him instantly recognizable as a general officer... Which, automatically makes him a "regular guy".
Our discussion - and he did not know me from Adam - was very straightforward and meaningful - and a lot was said in a very short time as we briefly got to know each other...
2) ...for I too have held a BG position.
3) Gen Ramirez then gave a most inspired Muster "talk" - during and after which most of us had tears and were definitely "moved" by his absolutely outstanding never-to-be-forgotten presentation. It was among the best I have EVER heard.

To follow, when I later heard he got the Commandant's position, I was ever so grateful that others obviously had the same high opinion of him and his devotion to A&M that I got that day I briefly met him at Muster.

The Corps sometimes struggles as a minority campus organization with a monster responsibility to strive to be the keeper of A&M traditions - old and new - and represents some of the most dear memories many of us "old Ags" have of A&M. As such, the behavior of each and every member of the Corps is observed by everyone as they are in uniform and stand out as a unique group. As such, the Corps deserves support of each and every one of us - because they simply try harder.

Regarding when "Old Army died" and "watering down" of the Corps.... I call B.S.!!!
It is all a frame of mind. A fish in 2013 has the same trepidation as a fish had in 1963 - 50 years earlier... (the only difference being that the dorms now have air conditioning - 50 years ago it was open the windows (and doors) or die of suffocation...!)
Just like matriculation on time from year to year in a tough academic major; or, sitting for a national Board Exam after graduation, it makes no difference if it is for MDoctor, Vet, Lawyer, PE, Architect, CPA, etc., the same set of nervous energy is involved to get prepared and successfully achieve continued success.

The same can be said of the A&M Corps today when compared to 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, etc., years ago. In fact, with all the blase' attitude from many - and the rise of social fraternities and sororities on campus - it is probably even more difficult in many ways than when the old broom handles were used for discipline.

It all has to do with the same commitment to excellence and putting out that extra effort to earn leadership skills that - regardless of class year - remains the same today as years past. And, even in the Corps there are those who work even harder than others... - the FTABand goes an extra mile to earn their well deserved recognition.

As in any large company, the Corps and the A&M Administration has to weigh many issues and typically there are no black and white answers - and most often a compromise of some sort is necessary to get a majority opinion and resolution to go forward.

The issue of what to do with Reveille's remains has to fall in that category. Think about it. Rev is a mascot - albeit a revered mascot, but still - not a soldier who lost his/her life defending our country and its honor and thus deserving of the highest honor that can be given posthumously to a fallen soldier or aged veteran.

There are many dignified ways to honor Rev, but to give her a full military funeral is, quite frankly, "silly"... That does not take one whit away from her place in the A&M traditions and spirit lore. In fact, during my day, President Rudder had a bulldog (named Rudder) and a three-legged stray (named Tripod) both of whom got just about as much attention as the "official" Reveille from the entire student body - and not just E-2.

Interestingly, I'll just bet that many of those who think Rev should have the full military funeral are many of the same who rail that the A&M Corps is not "real military"... Just a guess - and dichotomy?...


AAAAAAAAAAg - Air Force Aggie Architect & Administrator from Amarillo, Altus, Austin, Arabia, Africa, Seoul, Amman, Arkansas (ret) '65, '69, '73. Track Letterman
"The most potent weapon against basic human decency, in the armamentarium of pure evil, is the self-imposed ignorance and moral decay of the people themselves."

Commandant79 and Aggie1 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

there is a vast difference between "approachable" and "open door policy" for a Commanding Officer.