So the zips (near the end of their senior year), who we say the commandant should trust to run the corps, should take a little risk and express their concerns to GRam.loveaTm said:
Great! They should all arrive at Texas A&M fully developed in every way. Self disciplined, 100% intrinsically motivated with a full grasp of priorities and time management.
They don't. Up until now each outfit has known them as individuals and helped developed desired characteristics in them. If they arrived with all these attributes they wouldn't have any need for the Corps.
Policy Update for the 2017- 2018 Corps Year
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Last: 8 yr ago by HollywoodBQ
I can respect that, so can I ask, what would be your plan? I am not joking or anything I am curious. If you felt that you would be punished or at the least, ignored, what would you do?Drum5343 said:Would I risk my job? For what? If I believed my bosses were driving the company into the ground, I hope that I would risk my job by speaking up. And if I get fired for raising my concerns, then that was probably a terrible organization anyway.RossLawrence1876 said:Would you risk your job? Would you throw 1600 dollars away? It's not that simple and let it be known this thread started as a simple display of changes not an attack at a person. Its not safe spaces, I am not making you accommodate me, you chose to read these. You chose to be triggered. Why? I'm not sure, if anything I would expect an Ol' Ag to support cadets wishing for a harder corps that is a bigger challenge. But if that is how you feel, there is no point in arguing, I will respect your opinion, however if you do wish to see change, and disagree with the means used, then calmly suggesting a change of plans would be a welcome thought to be included.Drum5343 said:RossLawrence1876 said:I would strongly urge you to step back and look at what is happening here... These are cadets trying to gain a platform to speak from in safety. People like you have the ability to support them or shoot them down. Yes there is more to be done, however this is better than nothing. Furthermore, I would caution you to look back, at one point you felt the same, belittling people for not being in the same stage in life as you is not an argument, its ignorance. If this upset you so much why don't you go to campus and preach to the BQ's? These are questions aimed at attacking ones character and commitment not at addressing issues. The current corps climate pushes the PR aspect of making a big corps instead of focusing on cadets and their leadership development. We should try to retain the focus of this thread and not attack others.Drum5343 said:
Also, if you are so concerned with the future of our cadet corps, are you doing anything concrete about it? I mean besides *****ing on an internet thread.
You're practically dead anyway, so why would it matter if you and all your buddies were kicked out? Instead of just sitting, *****ing with your buddies in front of your 45 inch TVs while you troll Texags from your iPhone 7, why doesn't your entire BQ class march down to the commandants office and do something?
Your response might be, "He'll punish my unit next year!" But if the situation is as dire as you say it is, the Corps will be worthless anyway and will be nonexistent in 10 years. Why can't B-Co zips, if they are such hardasses, make sure the commandant's office knows exactly their concerns?
I don't think complaining about the commandant on Texags is actually better than nothing. It is either worse or the same as doing nothing.
These cadets don't need to speak from a platform of safety! They need to take some risk! "Oh no I might get kicked out of the corps and that would be hella embarrassing!"
If these cadets want to be leaders, they can't rely on safe spaces! They need to take risks and be willing to face the consequences.
I DO support cadets taking a leadership role and I do support a challenging corps of cadets experience. But these cadets, if they don't like these changes and if they truly believe this will ruin the corps, should take the risk of being kicked out if it means they actually do something to change what they don't like.
I would not write a passive aggressive open letter.RossLawrence1876 said:I can respect that, so can I ask, what would be your plan? I am not joking or anything I am curious. If you felt that you would be punished or at the least, ignored, what would you do?Drum5343 said:Would I risk my job? For what? If I believed my bosses were driving the company into the ground, I hope that I would risk my job by speaking up. And if I get fired for raising my concerns, then that was probably a terrible organization anyway.RossLawrence1876 said:Would you risk your job? Would you throw 1600 dollars away? It's not that simple and let it be known this thread started as a simple display of changes not an attack at a person. Its not safe spaces, I am not making you accommodate me, you chose to read these. You chose to be triggered. Why? I'm not sure, if anything I would expect an Ol' Ag to support cadets wishing for a harder corps that is a bigger challenge. But if that is how you feel, there is no point in arguing, I will respect your opinion, however if you do wish to see change, and disagree with the means used, then calmly suggesting a change of plans would be a welcome thought to be included.Drum5343 said:RossLawrence1876 said:I would strongly urge you to step back and look at what is happening here... These are cadets trying to gain a platform to speak from in safety. People like you have the ability to support them or shoot them down. Yes there is more to be done, however this is better than nothing. Furthermore, I would caution you to look back, at one point you felt the same, belittling people for not being in the same stage in life as you is not an argument, its ignorance. If this upset you so much why don't you go to campus and preach to the BQ's? These are questions aimed at attacking ones character and commitment not at addressing issues. The current corps climate pushes the PR aspect of making a big corps instead of focusing on cadets and their leadership development. We should try to retain the focus of this thread and not attack others.Drum5343 said:
Also, if you are so concerned with the future of our cadet corps, are you doing anything concrete about it? I mean besides *****ing on an internet thread.
You're practically dead anyway, so why would it matter if you and all your buddies were kicked out? Instead of just sitting, *****ing with your buddies in front of your 45 inch TVs while you troll Texags from your iPhone 7, why doesn't your entire BQ class march down to the commandants office and do something?
Your response might be, "He'll punish my unit next year!" But if the situation is as dire as you say it is, the Corps will be worthless anyway and will be nonexistent in 10 years. Why can't B-Co zips, if they are such hardasses, make sure the commandant's office knows exactly their concerns?
I don't think complaining about the commandant on Texags is actually better than nothing. It is either worse or the same as doing nothing.
These cadets don't need to speak from a platform of safety! They need to take some risk! "Oh no I might get kicked out of the corps and that would be hella embarrassing!"
If these cadets want to be leaders, they can't rely on safe spaces! They need to take risks and be willing to face the consequences.
I DO support cadets taking a leadership role and I do support a challenging corps of cadets experience. But these cadets, if they don't like these changes and if they truly believe this will ruin the corps, should take the risk of being kicked out if it means they actually do something to change what they don't like.
I would hope that I would have the courage to approach my superiors with tact and respect, trying to understand why they are making the changes they are. I would (the grace of God willing) then present why I think those changes are detrimental and suggest solutions that I believe would be productive.
If I get fired, punished, ignored, at least I could know that I did what was in my power to avert the demise of the organization.
And if nothing came of that would you stop there or would you continue through other means?Drum5343 said:I would not write a passive aggressive open letter.RossLawrence1876 said:I can respect that, so can I ask, what would be your plan? I am not joking or anything I am curious. If you felt that you would be punished or at the least, ignored, what would you do?Drum5343 said:Would I risk my job? For what? If I believed my bosses were driving the company into the ground, I hope that I would risk my job by speaking up. And if I get fired for raising my concerns, then that was probably a terrible organization anyway.RossLawrence1876 said:Would you risk your job? Would you throw 1600 dollars away? It's not that simple and let it be known this thread started as a simple display of changes not an attack at a person. Its not safe spaces, I am not making you accommodate me, you chose to read these. You chose to be triggered. Why? I'm not sure, if anything I would expect an Ol' Ag to support cadets wishing for a harder corps that is a bigger challenge. But if that is how you feel, there is no point in arguing, I will respect your opinion, however if you do wish to see change, and disagree with the means used, then calmly suggesting a change of plans would be a welcome thought to be included.Drum5343 said:RossLawrence1876 said:I would strongly urge you to step back and look at what is happening here... These are cadets trying to gain a platform to speak from in safety. People like you have the ability to support them or shoot them down. Yes there is more to be done, however this is better than nothing. Furthermore, I would caution you to look back, at one point you felt the same, belittling people for not being in the same stage in life as you is not an argument, its ignorance. If this upset you so much why don't you go to campus and preach to the BQ's? These are questions aimed at attacking ones character and commitment not at addressing issues. The current corps climate pushes the PR aspect of making a big corps instead of focusing on cadets and their leadership development. We should try to retain the focus of this thread and not attack others.Drum5343 said:
Also, if you are so concerned with the future of our cadet corps, are you doing anything concrete about it? I mean besides *****ing on an internet thread.
You're practically dead anyway, so why would it matter if you and all your buddies were kicked out? Instead of just sitting, *****ing with your buddies in front of your 45 inch TVs while you troll Texags from your iPhone 7, why doesn't your entire BQ class march down to the commandants office and do something?
Your response might be, "He'll punish my unit next year!" But if the situation is as dire as you say it is, the Corps will be worthless anyway and will be nonexistent in 10 years. Why can't B-Co zips, if they are such hardasses, make sure the commandant's office knows exactly their concerns?
I don't think complaining about the commandant on Texags is actually better than nothing. It is either worse or the same as doing nothing.
These cadets don't need to speak from a platform of safety! They need to take some risk! "Oh no I might get kicked out of the corps and that would be hella embarrassing!"
If these cadets want to be leaders, they can't rely on safe spaces! They need to take risks and be willing to face the consequences.
I DO support cadets taking a leadership role and I do support a challenging corps of cadets experience. But these cadets, if they don't like these changes and if they truly believe this will ruin the corps, should take the risk of being kicked out if it means they actually do something to change what they don't like.
I would hope that I would have the courage to approach my superiors with tact and respect, trying to understand why they are making the changes they are. I would (the grace of God willing) then present why I think those changes are detrimental and suggest solutions that I believe would be productive.
If I get fired, punished, ignored, at least I could know that I did what was in my power to avert the demise of the organization.
Who knows. If I have the power to keep doing something, hopefully I have the courage as well.RossLawrence1876 said:And if nothing came of that would you stop there or would you continue through other means?Drum5343 said:I would not write a passive aggressive open letter.RossLawrence1876 said:I can respect that, so can I ask, what would be your plan? I am not joking or anything I am curious. If you felt that you would be punished or at the least, ignored, what would you do?Drum5343 said:Would I risk my job? For what? If I believed my bosses were driving the company into the ground, I hope that I would risk my job by speaking up. And if I get fired for raising my concerns, then that was probably a terrible organization anyway.RossLawrence1876 said:Would you risk your job? Would you throw 1600 dollars away? It's not that simple and let it be known this thread started as a simple display of changes not an attack at a person. Its not safe spaces, I am not making you accommodate me, you chose to read these. You chose to be triggered. Why? I'm not sure, if anything I would expect an Ol' Ag to support cadets wishing for a harder corps that is a bigger challenge. But if that is how you feel, there is no point in arguing, I will respect your opinion, however if you do wish to see change, and disagree with the means used, then calmly suggesting a change of plans would be a welcome thought to be included.Drum5343 said:RossLawrence1876 said:I would strongly urge you to step back and look at what is happening here... These are cadets trying to gain a platform to speak from in safety. People like you have the ability to support them or shoot them down. Yes there is more to be done, however this is better than nothing. Furthermore, I would caution you to look back, at one point you felt the same, belittling people for not being in the same stage in life as you is not an argument, its ignorance. If this upset you so much why don't you go to campus and preach to the BQ's? These are questions aimed at attacking ones character and commitment not at addressing issues. The current corps climate pushes the PR aspect of making a big corps instead of focusing on cadets and their leadership development. We should try to retain the focus of this thread and not attack others.Drum5343 said:
Also, if you are so concerned with the future of our cadet corps, are you doing anything concrete about it? I mean besides *****ing on an internet thread.
You're practically dead anyway, so why would it matter if you and all your buddies were kicked out? Instead of just sitting, *****ing with your buddies in front of your 45 inch TVs while you troll Texags from your iPhone 7, why doesn't your entire BQ class march down to the commandants office and do something?
Your response might be, "He'll punish my unit next year!" But if the situation is as dire as you say it is, the Corps will be worthless anyway and will be nonexistent in 10 years. Why can't B-Co zips, if they are such hardasses, make sure the commandant's office knows exactly their concerns?
I don't think complaining about the commandant on Texags is actually better than nothing. It is either worse or the same as doing nothing.
These cadets don't need to speak from a platform of safety! They need to take some risk! "Oh no I might get kicked out of the corps and that would be hella embarrassing!"
If these cadets want to be leaders, they can't rely on safe spaces! They need to take risks and be willing to face the consequences.
I DO support cadets taking a leadership role and I do support a challenging corps of cadets experience. But these cadets, if they don't like these changes and if they truly believe this will ruin the corps, should take the risk of being kicked out if it means they actually do something to change what they don't like.
I would hope that I would have the courage to approach my superiors with tact and respect, trying to understand why they are making the changes they are. I would (the grace of God willing) then present why I think those changes are detrimental and suggest solutions that I believe would be productive.
If I get fired, punished, ignored, at least I could know that I did what was in my power to avert the demise of the organization.
Drum5343,
You are so off base here I don't even know where to start. I'll just pick the first post on PT and finding time during your busy day as a professional. Contrary to what some may think, I'm a professional and when I do something I try to make the best use of my time. For example, if I'm going to PT, why have an hour of mandatory half ass PT where I would have to supplement with an hour later? That makes no sense. Why not go full balls to the wall during that mandatory PT time (or hell at least 98%) and have an hour later in the day to use for something productive. I say all this and have wasted 10 minutes of my valuable time reading your nonsense and replying. I have to get back to helping my middle school kid study for a math test. Good thing he is working a problem.
You are so off base here I don't even know where to start. I'll just pick the first post on PT and finding time during your busy day as a professional. Contrary to what some may think, I'm a professional and when I do something I try to make the best use of my time. For example, if I'm going to PT, why have an hour of mandatory half ass PT where I would have to supplement with an hour later? That makes no sense. Why not go full balls to the wall during that mandatory PT time (or hell at least 98%) and have an hour later in the day to use for something productive. I say all this and have wasted 10 minutes of my valuable time reading your nonsense and replying. I have to get back to helping my middle school kid study for a math test. Good thing he is working a problem.
If you want "full balls to the wall" that will be good enough for a contract cadet, it will be too much, especially for new fish and female cadets.Comeby! said:
Drum5343,
You are so off base here I don't even know where to start. I'll just pick the first post on PT and finding time during your busy day as a professional. Contrary to what some may think, I'm a professional and when I do something I try to make the best use of my time. For example, if I'm going to PT, why have an hour of mandatory half ass PT where I would have to supplement with an hour later? That makes no sense. Why not go full balls to the wall during that mandatory PT time (or hell at least 98%) and have an hour later in the day to use for something productive. I say all this and have wasted 10 minutes of my valuable time reading your nonsense and replying. I have to get back to helping my middle school kid study for a math test. Good thing he is working a problem.
Contract cadets have ALWAYS supplemented outfit PT time with their own personal PT. At least the serious ones have. The need for supplemental PT is not new. The need for men and women to use time management to carve out time for this is also not new.
Good thing we don't have equal standards.Drum5343 said:If you want "full balls to the wall" that will be good enough for a contract cadet, it will be too much, especially for new fish and female cadets.Comeby! said:
Drum5343,
You are so off base here I don't even know where to start. I'll just pick the first post on PT and finding time during your busy day as a professional. Contrary to what some may think, I'm a professional and when I do something I try to make the best use of my time. For example, if I'm going to PT, why have an hour of mandatory half ass PT where I would have to supplement with an hour later? That makes no sense. Why not go full balls to the wall during that mandatory PT time (or hell at least 98%) and have an hour later in the day to use for something productive. I say all this and have wasted 10 minutes of my valuable time reading your nonsense and replying. I have to get back to helping my middle school kid study for a math test. Good thing he is working a problem.
So fish are expected to have the same physical readiness as a senior Marine Corps contract?Naveronski said:Good thing we don't have equal standards.Drum5343 said:If you want "full balls to the wall" that will be good enough for a contract cadet, it will be too much, especially for new fish and female cadets.Comeby! said:
Drum5343,
You are so off base here I don't even know where to start. I'll just pick the first post on PT and finding time during your busy day as a professional. Contrary to what some may think, I'm a professional and when I do something I try to make the best use of my time. For example, if I'm going to PT, why have an hour of mandatory half ass PT where I would have to supplement with an hour later? That makes no sense. Why not go full balls to the wall during that mandatory PT time (or hell at least 98%) and have an hour later in the day to use for something productive. I say all this and have wasted 10 minutes of my valuable time reading your nonsense and replying. I have to get back to helping my middle school kid study for a math test. Good thing he is working a problem.
Would somebody please explain to this old Ag what is the function of the CTOs?
Let me ask this:
Has solely doing outfit PT ever been sufficient for all members of the outfit? Maybe for younger, less developed members. But there comes a time where if you want to go further, especially as an upperclassmen, where you need a little more than outfit runs and push-ups to get you to your goal, right? This is not new.
Has solely doing outfit PT ever been sufficient for all members of the outfit? Maybe for younger, less developed members. But there comes a time where if you want to go further, especially as an upperclassmen, where you need a little more than outfit runs and push-ups to get you to your goal, right? This is not new.
And if the complaint is "yeah but we have fat bags, and they're doing all the required PT time!"
My first answer is "no. They're not. Watch them do "PT" and you know what I mean"
My second answer is "watch what these cadets pile on their plates at SBISA. No exercise program is good enough to overcome that. "
My first answer is "no. They're not. Watch them do "PT" and you know what I mean"
My second answer is "watch what these cadets pile on their plates at SBISA. No exercise program is good enough to overcome that. "
I am a current cadet and I under stand what you mean by being more proactive in protesting these changes. The thing is, many events have taken place that have lead to this moment. Many cadets have tried and failed to address the commandant and staff directly. Many cadets have been threatened and their opinions dismissed as irrelevant. This movement is not petty or cowardly as many on Facebook have described it. It is an attempt to build awareness on and off the quad, among current, old, and future aggies so that perhaps the OOC will take us more seriously. Any movement starts with building awareness. It has only been three days since these changes were announced. Give it time.
Whoa Mr. Old Army, let's take a second here so you can stop getting so triggered over my post. I sure am proud of you for being such a squared away adult. Waking up at 5 and going until the sun goes down is redass, let me tell ya. I think it's perfectly ok to ***** on an internet forum, though. Sorry, I like my current position in the band, and seeing as I pay way too much money towards this organization to get figuratively slapped in the face with new policies each semester, I think I'm in the right here.
I'm not dead yet, and while I can't make a difference in this Cadet Corps, I sure as hell can make a difference in my outfit. I am here, albeit for a little more than a month, but I've busted my ass for the past four years to better myself and my outfit, and I won't let old ags like yourself ruin this organization any longer. If I can keep my outfit safe, that's all I care about, because frankly, I don't care about corpsturds, their ideals, or their motivations. I find your entire third paragraph to be the pinnacle of why I don't respect you, or your argument. "...if the situation is as dire as you say it is, the Corps will be worthless anyway and will be nonexistent in 10 years...". Wow, you sure harbor a defeatist attitude. You must be a blast at parties. Who gives a s*** if the Corps dies completely in 10 years. We're here right now, and I'm doing my best to inform Old Ags of the plight their Corps is in. How dare you try and make an argument with such a defeated sentiment. I would recommend looking at my original post in a different light, and stop trying to be so entitled and arrogant.
Also, I think you need to be more focused on your life. How about instead of complaining and *****ing at some random college student that you have no connections with, you go be an adult somewhere else. Why would you spend any time at all *****ing on an internet thread, most likely sitting on a chair in front of your TV. You should be more productive with your time; maybe take up a second job so you don't have to be lazy like the weak-*** college kid that I am.
I'm not dead yet, and while I can't make a difference in this Cadet Corps, I sure as hell can make a difference in my outfit. I am here, albeit for a little more than a month, but I've busted my ass for the past four years to better myself and my outfit, and I won't let old ags like yourself ruin this organization any longer. If I can keep my outfit safe, that's all I care about, because frankly, I don't care about corpsturds, their ideals, or their motivations. I find your entire third paragraph to be the pinnacle of why I don't respect you, or your argument. "...if the situation is as dire as you say it is, the Corps will be worthless anyway and will be nonexistent in 10 years...". Wow, you sure harbor a defeatist attitude. You must be a blast at parties. Who gives a s*** if the Corps dies completely in 10 years. We're here right now, and I'm doing my best to inform Old Ags of the plight their Corps is in. How dare you try and make an argument with such a defeated sentiment. I would recommend looking at my original post in a different light, and stop trying to be so entitled and arrogant.
Also, I think you need to be more focused on your life. How about instead of complaining and *****ing at some random college student that you have no connections with, you go be an adult somewhere else. Why would you spend any time at all *****ing on an internet thread, most likely sitting on a chair in front of your TV. You should be more productive with your time; maybe take up a second job so you don't have to be lazy like the weak-*** college kid that I am.
As a current cadet, I understand that with time comes change. The Corps of Cadets is not meant to be the same as it was 5, 10, 20, however many years ago. With that being said, the changes that have been made during my short time here in Aggieland make me wish I had not joined the Corps in the first place.
I am not the type of cadet who wishes to bring back hazing: I simply want to be challenged. I want to be challenged at PT with MY outfit and with MY buddies. Why? Because it is the hard PT sessions that have allowed me to create unbreakable bonds with not only my buddies, but my upperclassmen as well. 20 years from now when I am looking back on my time in the Corps of Cadets, it will not be the mediocre PT sessions that get my heart racing.
What will get my heart racing then, what gets my heart racing now, were the hard PT sessions as a fish where my buddies and I were required to push our minds and our bodies to the limit. As a freshman, I dreaded Friday afternoon training times because I knew my buddies and I, being fish, were most likely going to be smoked, whether it was a goodbull smoking or not. We would work so hard during PT that I thought my legs would collapse beneath me, that there was no way I could hold six inches for another second, that my arms would not be able to support me as I attempted to do what felt like the thousandth push-up. While being smoked by my upperclassmen, I would often question myself: why did I join the Corps, why am I putting myself through this, why am I still here?
I had played sports in high school and had always considered myself a decent athlete, but no coach of mine was ever able to push me the way my upperclassmen and my buddies were able to. As a fish, I didn't want to let my ever-watching team leader down, nor the rest of the upperclassmen. More important than that, I did not want to let my buddies down and I refused to let MYSELF down by quitting and going easy on myself and my buddies. I knew we were capable of rising to the challenge. Those hard PT sessions with my upperclassmen in front of me and my buddies by my side were memories I will cherish forever. Getting my non-existent balls smoked off (yes, I'm a wag) with my buddies created memories and bonds between us that you can't replicate through something such as MU PT.
It was only once those Friday afternoon training times were over and I had sat down at my desk that I realized why I kept continuing to put myself through what, at the time, seemed like a never ending hell: I loved the challenge and I loved my buddies.
The bonds people create over hardships such as this are what keeps them motivated to keep moving forward. If GRam truly believes that making life in the Corps easier will improve retention, he is mistaken. Students join the Corps to be challenged and to create bonds with others that will last a lifetime. That is why an outfit's culture and identity is so vitally important. BQ's do not join the band to be just another member of the Corps of Cadets: they join to be part of "the nationally famous fighting Texas Aggie Band." Young men do not join E-2 to simply be a part of Second Regiment: they join because they want to be a part of the Mascot Company.
I want to see the Corps of Cadets grow and be successful as much as anyone, but a number of the changes that have been made will not be what makes that dream happen. Make the Corps easy and take away the challenges and the hardships, you take away from the experience of transforming yourself into someone who is ready to take on the world after leaving Texas A&M.
"When life gets harder, challenge yourself to be stronger."
I am not the type of cadet who wishes to bring back hazing: I simply want to be challenged. I want to be challenged at PT with MY outfit and with MY buddies. Why? Because it is the hard PT sessions that have allowed me to create unbreakable bonds with not only my buddies, but my upperclassmen as well. 20 years from now when I am looking back on my time in the Corps of Cadets, it will not be the mediocre PT sessions that get my heart racing.
What will get my heart racing then, what gets my heart racing now, were the hard PT sessions as a fish where my buddies and I were required to push our minds and our bodies to the limit. As a freshman, I dreaded Friday afternoon training times because I knew my buddies and I, being fish, were most likely going to be smoked, whether it was a goodbull smoking or not. We would work so hard during PT that I thought my legs would collapse beneath me, that there was no way I could hold six inches for another second, that my arms would not be able to support me as I attempted to do what felt like the thousandth push-up. While being smoked by my upperclassmen, I would often question myself: why did I join the Corps, why am I putting myself through this, why am I still here?
I had played sports in high school and had always considered myself a decent athlete, but no coach of mine was ever able to push me the way my upperclassmen and my buddies were able to. As a fish, I didn't want to let my ever-watching team leader down, nor the rest of the upperclassmen. More important than that, I did not want to let my buddies down and I refused to let MYSELF down by quitting and going easy on myself and my buddies. I knew we were capable of rising to the challenge. Those hard PT sessions with my upperclassmen in front of me and my buddies by my side were memories I will cherish forever. Getting my non-existent balls smoked off (yes, I'm a wag) with my buddies created memories and bonds between us that you can't replicate through something such as MU PT.
It was only once those Friday afternoon training times were over and I had sat down at my desk that I realized why I kept continuing to put myself through what, at the time, seemed like a never ending hell: I loved the challenge and I loved my buddies.
The bonds people create over hardships such as this are what keeps them motivated to keep moving forward. If GRam truly believes that making life in the Corps easier will improve retention, he is mistaken. Students join the Corps to be challenged and to create bonds with others that will last a lifetime. That is why an outfit's culture and identity is so vitally important. BQ's do not join the band to be just another member of the Corps of Cadets: they join to be part of "the nationally famous fighting Texas Aggie Band." Young men do not join E-2 to simply be a part of Second Regiment: they join because they want to be a part of the Mascot Company.
I want to see the Corps of Cadets grow and be successful as much as anyone, but a number of the changes that have been made will not be what makes that dream happen. Make the Corps easy and take away the challenges and the hardships, you take away from the experience of transforming yourself into someone who is ready to take on the world after leaving Texas A&M.
"When life gets harder, challenge yourself to be stronger."
I'm not actually a "squared away adult". I'm pretty average. My point is that that kind of full schedule is not exceptional.BQ17 said:
Whoa Mr. Old Army, let's take a second here so you can stop getting so triggered over my post. I sure am proud of you for being such a squared away adult. Waking up at 5 and going until the sun goes down is redass, let me tell ya. I think it's perfectly ok to ***** on an internet forum, though. Sorry, I like my current position in the band, and seeing as I pay way too much money towards this organization to get figuratively slapped in the face with new policies each semester, I think I'm in the right here.
I'm not dead yet, and while I can't make a difference in this Cadet Corps, I sure as hell can make a difference in my outfit. I am here, albeit for a little more than a month, but I've busted my ass for the past four years to better myself and my outfit, and I won't let old ags like yourself ruin this organization any longer. If I can keep my outfit safe, that's all I care about, because frankly, I don't care about corpsturds, their ideals, or their motivations. I find your entire third paragraph to be the pinnacle of why I don't respect you, or your argument. "...if the situation is as dire as you say it is, the Corps will be worthless anyway and will be nonexistent in 10 years...". Wow, you sure harbor a defeatist attitude. You must be a blast at parties. Who gives a s*** if the Corps dies completely in 10 years. We're here right now, and I'm doing my best to inform Old Ags of the plight their Corps is in. How dare you try and make an argument with such a defeated sentiment. I would recommend looking at my original post in a different light, and stop trying to be so entitled and arrogant.
Also, I think you need to be more focused on your life. How about instead of complaining and *****ing at some random college student that you have no connections with, you go be an adult somewhere else. Why would you spend any time at all *****ing on an internet thread, most likely sitting on a chair in front of your TV. You should be more productive with your time; maybe take up a second job so you don't have to be lazy like the weak-*** college kid that I am.
What I was saying is that you don't seem concerned about the corps long term. Your concern is for your "current position in the band." Which is understandable. But you seem to care about the Corps, or at least your B-Company. My point is that you should be motivated to action since you seem to believe the Corps is headed quickly in wrong direction.
I don't have a defeatist attitude about the Corps. I'm not sure I think the current policy changes wise, but I also don't think the corps is and will be completely ruined by them. That seems to be your opinion (and maybe that of your buddies as well). If that is your opinion, then for the sake of your outfit, you and your buddies with you should risk your "position in the band" in order to save your outfit.
Don't know about now, but back when I was there they served a few roles. They addressed discipline/legal issues that might arise within a unit, they handled administrative stuff of kicking cadets out, they served as advisors for the MUC as well as the COs, some military letters had to go through/to them if you needed certain things approved, they pop their heads into zip rooms and make sure standards are being kept. I think their main function is to give cadets pause before they do something stupid. When I was there I don't recall training schedules or anything being approved by them on a regular basis, if at all.JR69 said:
Would somebody please explain to this old Ag what is the function of the CTOs?
"If you want "full balls to the wall" that will be good enough for a contract cadet, it will be too much, especially for new fish and female cadets."
Really? I'm a FEMALE and I am a CONTRACT and, if I remember correctly, I am better and have been better at PT than some of my male buddies since the beginning. That's not bragging, that's just a fact. Believe it or not, we females have the ability to do better than males. I know males that have lost their contracts because they weren't good enough at PT. Don't assume that all wags are weak little girls unable to PT with the big boys.
Really? I'm a FEMALE and I am a CONTRACT and, if I remember correctly, I am better and have been better at PT than some of my male buddies since the beginning. That's not bragging, that's just a fact. Believe it or not, we females have the ability to do better than males. I know males that have lost their contracts because they weren't good enough at PT. Don't assume that all wags are weak little girls unable to PT with the big boys.
Good on you.NotmyCorps said:
"If you want "full balls to the wall" that will be good enough for a contract cadet, it will be too much, especially for new fish and female cadets."
Really? I'm a FEMALE and I am a CONTRACT and, if I remember correctly, I am better and have been better at PT than some of my male buddies since the beginning. That's not bragging, that's just a fact. Believe it or not, we females have the ability to do better than males. I know males that have lost their contracts because they weren't good enough at PT. Don't assume that all wags are weak little girls unable to PT with the big boys.
But in general, an average female, no contract cadet cannot keep up with a male, contract cadet. But there's no need for them to.
To all the cadets posting on here, I'm sorry this is happening. It sounds like it sucks. Unfortunately, just like it only takes something happening twice for it to become a tradition, it also takes something not happening twice for people to forget about it. For example, how closely do you pay attention to your zips as heads to remember all the things they did when you become a zip? You might better remember what your butts did, one class above you, but when a tradition is killed for two years it is almost guaranteed to be gone. 3 years and it is completely done for, and you might even have a hard time getting folks to voluntarily bring it back whereas just a few years prior folks were fighting to keep it.
My point is, if these changes are implemented, within 2-3 years no one will even have a recollection of how things were except for former cadets and commandant's staff. That'll be it, and this will become the new normal. If what you say is true about repercussions for speaking up and questioning decisions, then I applaud you for not going down without a fight.
My point is, if these changes are implemented, within 2-3 years no one will even have a recollection of how things were except for former cadets and commandant's staff. That'll be it, and this will become the new normal. If what you say is true about repercussions for speaking up and questioning decisions, then I applaud you for not going down without a fight.
Thanks. I guess we had something like that when I was in the Corps - 1965-69, but I don't remember what their title was - we just called them Bulls. They were active duty officers who also taught Military Science or Air Science classes. We almost never saw them in the Quad and they had very little, if anything, to do with daily cadet life. I guess the organization in the Trigon has changed a bit since I graduated.
When I was in, a lot of dorms had a "bull" who had an office in the dorm. Saw them quite frequently.JR69 said:
Thanks. I guess we had something like that when I was in the Corps - 1965-69, but I don't remember what their title was - we just called them Bulls. They were active duty officers who also taught Military Science or Air Science classes. We almost never saw them in the Quad and they had very little, if anything, to do with daily cadet life. I guess the organization in the Trigon has changed a bit since I graduated.
He started digging himself into a hole and I just laughed and watched the demise of Drum5343
That's a shameDrum5343 said:When I was in, a lot of dorms had a "bull" who had an office in the dorm. Saw them quite frequently.JR69 said:
Thanks. I guess we had something like that when I was in the Corps - 1965-69, but I don't remember what their title was - we just called them Bulls. They were active duty officers who also taught Military Science or Air Science classes. We almost never saw them in the Quad and they had very little, if anything, to do with daily cadet life. I guess the organization in the Trigon has changed a bit since I graduated.
I am so demised! How will I ever recover?
Yeah wasn't much fun.JR69 said:That's a shameDrum5343 said:When I was in, a lot of dorms had a "bull" who had an office in the dorm. Saw them quite frequently.JR69 said:
Thanks. I guess we had something like that when I was in the Corps - 1965-69, but I don't remember what their title was - we just called them Bulls. They were active duty officers who also taught Military Science or Air Science classes. We almost never saw them in the Quad and they had very little, if anything, to do with daily cadet life. I guess the organization in the Trigon has changed a bit since I graduated.
Howdy Y'all,
I tried to make a post on one of the Fancy Schmancy Premium forums, but was reminded that I have a free student account, haha.
Anyways, ignoring the flame war that is the comment section below, I would like to ask every one of y'all to please read this: https://www.cadetruncorps.com/
I ask each and every Aggie who cares about the Corps, even in the slightest, to contact the OOC and let General Ramirez know that we he is doing to the Cadet Corps at this time is wrong. We can all agree that change is necessary, but change of this caliber, this fast, is unacceptable. I implore each of you to show any Aggie you know that donates to the Corps of Cadets Association, was a cadet at one point, or simply loves Texas A&M and wants to keep the tradition as the Keepers of the Spirit alive, to show them that link above, and ask them to contact General Ramirez.
There is already a swelling of discontent amongst myself and my fellow cadets, and we are beginning to work on a professional, yet proud stance to oppose these new policies, and we would love to have y'all.
Thanks and Gig 'Em,
A Zip
I tried to make a post on one of the Fancy Schmancy Premium forums, but was reminded that I have a free student account, haha.
Anyways, ignoring the flame war that is the comment section below, I would like to ask every one of y'all to please read this: https://www.cadetruncorps.com/
I ask each and every Aggie who cares about the Corps, even in the slightest, to contact the OOC and let General Ramirez know that we he is doing to the Cadet Corps at this time is wrong. We can all agree that change is necessary, but change of this caliber, this fast, is unacceptable. I implore each of you to show any Aggie you know that donates to the Corps of Cadets Association, was a cadet at one point, or simply loves Texas A&M and wants to keep the tradition as the Keepers of the Spirit alive, to show them that link above, and ask them to contact General Ramirez.
There is already a swelling of discontent amongst myself and my fellow cadets, and we are beginning to work on a professional, yet proud stance to oppose these new policies, and we would love to have y'all.
Thanks and Gig 'Em,
A Zip
"... and that would be hella embarrassing!"
When you use the word hella you lose all credibility.
When you use the word hella you lose all credibility.
He lost credibility a while ago, sir.
bigtruckguy3500 said:
My point is, if these changes are implemented, within 2-3 years no one will even have a recollection of how things were except for former cadets and commandant's staff. That'll be it, and this will become the new normal.
And this is where you are wrong. It is our responsibility as former cadets and alumni to help preserve the continuity and quality of the experience that is The Corps of Cadets. The Corps was here before us and will be there after us and not a single Commandant will be able to disrupt it. We are the keepers of the spirit...even after we've hung up the boots. That continuity is what binds us. The ability for a class of '60 Ag to share Corps stories with a class of '98 dead zip, 'speak the same language' and realize how similar our experiences in the Corps were.
This isn't the US army or any other branch. It's these unique experiences (yes stupid Corps games included) that throw a mental wrench in an otherwise monotonous ROTC lifestyle that is the norm at other academies. These "WTF! How do I handle and deal with this?" moments is what set our graduates apart. It forces us to think on the fly, react and respond, catch another gear. These life skills will certainly come in handy out in the real world. We all know life isn't fair and loves that curve ball. At least you can always look back to your complete fish year and say "No sweat, I've had it worse" and go on with your bad self. Institutionalize the Corps and we are just another ROTC group. Pick your poison: one nut away from a frat or that goofy headed high school organization we all laughed at, JROTC.
It's funny but, as I was reading what you wrote, I thought - this is a chick writing this. Then you confirmed it. The fact that your post was more well written than most is what gave it away. Good on ya for taking a contract and being a PT machine.NotmyCorps said:
Getting my non-existent balls smoked off (yes, I'm a wag) with my buddies created memories and bonds between us that you can't replicate through something such as MU PT.
For the record, since my Army ROTC class (year group if you like) had no females (the last I'm sure), I didn't really know what to expect for female PT when I got to Advanced Camp at Fort Lewis, WA. We had one female in my regiment finish her 2 mile run in over 20 minutes and still pass. She was prior service and was much older. But, we also had a chick who ran track at Stanford who turned in a 10:15 2-mile run. The top male in our regiment ran 9:09. Nuts.
This thread has been a nice break from beating my head against the wall trying to solve a problem at work.
Despite being off base on so many other subjects (actually, nearly every), Drum has a point. If you really feel strongly about this, then the potential repercussions of openly opposing GRam shouldn't matter. There's a lot to be said for having the conviction and courage to stand up your what you believe in.
Now, I don't honestly think that it will change GRam's mind, but any chance is worth it if you feel that these changes are so terrible (and they are). That said, there's nothing wrong with an online movement but it cannot be the only form of resistance.
Now, I don't honestly think that it will change GRam's mind, but any chance is worth it if you feel that these changes are so terrible (and they are). That said, there's nothing wrong with an online movement but it cannot be the only form of resistance.
CharlieBrown17 said:Wildman15 said:
We should have a drink after final review
Pretty sure you still owe me a beer too from sometime
You are correct!
chickencoupe16 said:
Despite being off base on so many other subjects (actually, nearly every), Drum has a point. If you really feel strongly about this, then the potential repercussions of openly opposing GRam shouldn't matter. There's a lot to be said for having the conviction and courage to stand up your what you believe in.
Now, I don't honestly think that it will change GRam's mind, but any chance is worth it if you feel that these changes are so terrible (and they are). That said, there's nothing wrong with an online movement but it cannot be the only form of resistance.
So you are saying a contract zip in leadership positions should step out and defy the commandant over next year fish rank changes? We aren't talking about a Baylor rape scandal here. Have you not read and seen what happens to individuals who defy commandant orders? There's a reason why there are jokes about the Corps and North Korea.
"Defy?" No. Meet with and discuss differences in opinion? Yes.
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