Here.

From the Commandant's Facebook page:

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It is with extreme sadness that I confirm the death of cadet Caleb Tate ’15, a member of the Corps of Cadets, as a result of a traffic accident Monday evening in College Station. Caleb was a junior University Studies major in the College of Liberal Arts from Sequin and served as the Training Sergeant for Company P-2. He was pursuing a Navy contract. All who knew Caleb remember him as a sociable, confident young man who had a resilient work ethic and a good sense of humor. He was a very well-liked young man, and his loss will affect all of us for a long time to come.

I want to offer my condolences to Caleb Tate’s family, friends and fellow cadets on his loss. We all stand together as Aggies today as we mourn the loss of one of our own. Caleb Tate will be missed by all of us.

As an Aggie, I hope the Tate family will take solace in knowing that Caleb will never be forgotten, and that the unique Aggie spirit of camaraderie that is such an integral part of Texas A&M and the Corps of Cadets will hold fast for them in this very difficult time.

“We are the Aggies, the Aggies are we. True to each other, as Aggies can be.”

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EDIT:

Here's an article from his hometown newspaper. Seems like he was a great kid:

http://seguingazette.com/news/article_024c9eb0-35c5-11e3-b38c-001a4bcf887a.html

[This message has been edited by rebel06 (edited 10/16/2013 8:22a).]

Here.

There will be an Echo Taps for him. I believe it will be tomorrow at 10:30p on the Quad.

quote:

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There will be an Echo Taps for him.

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When did this Echo Taps tradition begin?

Not too sure when it began. I believe at least at far back as 1999.
He will still be a part of Silver Taps next month.

For those wondering what Echo Taps is:

Echo Taps is held on the Quad the night following the death of a cadet. The entire Corps dresses in “midnights” on the day of Echo Taps to honor its fallen comrade. One bugler plays a rendition of Silver Taps at the end of the Quad and a second bugler at the opposite end of the Quad echoes it shortly thereafter. Immediately following the ceremony, the cadets return to their dorms in silence.

(2013 issue of the Batt when they ran a story on Echo Taps for Amy Pacheco and Miguel Hernandez)

Thanks for posting the link to the newspaper article. I was trying to figure out how a cadet could get killed on Texas Avenue. Texas Avenue seems so tame. In my mind, I was thinking maybe a pedestrian struck by a big truck or something.

A childhood friend of mine was in a very similar motorcycle accident in San Francisco. The key difference - safety gear. Helmet, Jacket, Boots, etc.

I know Texas got rid of its helmet law years ago but... it would probably be a good idea if they held cadets to a higher standard in the same way that the US Military does.

White Sands Missile Range - Motorcycle Safety Handbook

This web site had a good overview of what the basic requirements are:

Army Motorcycle PPE Requirements
- the following excerpt is from AR 385-10 The Army Safety Program

Motorcycle personal protective equipment. The following PPE is mandatory for the following personnel while operating or riding as a passenger on a motorcycle, moped, or ATV: all Army military personnel at any time, on or off a DOD installation; all Army civilian personnel in a duty status, on or off a DOD installation; all personnel in or on a DOD–owned motorcycle; and all persons at any time on an Army installation.

• Helmets, certified to meet DOT standards, must be properly fastened under the chin. Outside CONUS riders may wear HN helmets if the helmet meets or exceeds U.S. DOT standards.
• Impact or shatter resistant goggles, wraparound glasses, or full-face shield properly attached to the helmet must meet or exceed ANSI Safety Code Z87.1, for impact and shatter resistance. A windshield alone is not proper eye protection.
• Sturdy footwear, leather boots or over the ankle shoes must be worn.
• A long sleeved shirt or jacket, long trousers, and full fingered gloves or mittens designed for use on a motorcycle must be worn.
• For on–road operations, a brightly colored, outer upper garment during the day and a reflective upper garment during the night. Military uniforms do not meet this criterion. The outer garment shall be clearly visible and not covered. Items may be worn on top of the outer garment, but they must meet the same visibility requirements of the outer upper garment.
• During off-road operations, operators and riders must use additional PPE, such as knee and shin guards and padded full fingered gloves.
• Installation commanders will ensure motorcycle operators, when entering the installation, are properly licensed, have successfully completed a motorcycle rider course, and are wearing the required personal motorcycle safety equipment.

Obviously accidents will still happen but, we ought to encourage our cadets to do what they can to be safe. Especially if they choose to ride a motorcycle in a truck-heavy environment like College Station (I realize this cadet didn't collide with a truck but rather a car).

[This message has been edited by HollywoodBQ (edited 10/16/2013 7:41p).]

Hollywood,

My Zoomie daughter told me that USAFA cadets were flat out prohibited from riding motorcycles. As a contract cadet, I would have thought he would similarly be sanctioned.

Regardless, I hope the surviving cadets follow your suggestions if they do ride. Maybe we can avoid other heartbreaking losses.

And regarding Echo Taps, we had it the evening before final review, but luckily, never lost any cadets. So I don't know if it was a tradition for fallen cadets at the time.


Here.





[This message has been edited by CanyonAg77 (edited 10/16/2013 8:20p).]

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I was trying to figure out how a cadet could get killed on Texas Avenue. Texas Avenue seems so tame

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The majority of the roadway is 40mph, people routinely drive 50mph in those sections. People have been seen to drive on the upwards of 70mph!

When you break down the time/distance for those speeds and then look at the stopping distance, sight distance of some of the curb cuts and intersections I'm absolutely amazed more people aren't killed. Bryan and College Station averages about 9-12 fatality accidents each a year over the past decade or so, some happen on Texas, but they are spread out across the cities.

I don't know the details of this collision but I can say that the sight distance for a left turning vehicle from Texas onto Southwest Parkway is exceptionally limited. When the roadway was designed and built the left turn lanes have no offset so if there is a vehicle in opposing traffic you can only see about 30ft past that vehicle for the approaching traffic. That section of Texas is 45 mph. I won't bore you with the math but I'll tell you that the distance and reaction time is horrible in that situation.

Then again, I'm certified in collision reconstruction and this is how I view things of this nature.

My parents were in a similar motorcycle accident when someone turned left in front of them while traveling at 70 mph. As has already been stated here, the big difference is both of my parents had complete safety gear and escaped with only a broken arm each and my dad with a shattered wrist due to hitting the brake before impact.

An update on this young man:

http://www.kbtx.com/home/headlines/Kidney-Transplant-from-Deceased-AM-Cadet-Gives-Live-Hope-to-Friend-230906151.html