The clarion bell I knew couldn't be unrung resonated even more than I thought it would with 10x the usual number of reads and over 100 insightful responses. I start with a sampling of those. . .and a couple of "smoking guns", provided ironically enough by the Trigon.

Then we will go over why the Corps growth has so dramatically lagged the university's and if we even still have the courage and commitment to reverse the ominous trend at
https://thebeagledotcom.wordpress.com/2025/04/02/can-we-still-save-the-corps-part-2-of-3-grow-the-corps/

Three thoughts while I process the post:

1) When people in the small town (Freeport) that I grew up in found out I was going to A&M, their first response, invariably, was, "Are you going to join the Corps?" A kid making a similar decision today probably wouldn't get that question, because statewide, recognition of the Corps has diminished. Now, to be fair, in 1976, A&M was, what 10 or so years removed from mandatory Corps membership, so it can be said that of course everyone knew about the Corps back then. Still, I think any major growth initiative has to start with regaining significant statewide recognition.

2) I've bee frustrated for years by the spots in football games that basically carry a message promoting A&M that's not much different from the commercial for any other school : school name; we're special; consider us. There's no mention of anything that makes A&M unique, nothing that's going to catch the attention of a prospect any more than any other spot. Fifty-eight thousand students suggests either that they're doing something right, or that the spots are having at best a marginal impact. I know the Corps can't be the focus, but sneaking in "eight medal of honor winners" or "156 (or whatever the number is) generals and admirals" or a few other things people smarter than me can think of wouldn't hurt. Good luck with changing that.

3) I spent one spring break touring various high schools in Brazoria County with my best friend, recruiting for the Corps. I don't know that we had an impact, but I do know we increased visibility. I don't recall what support we had, but we must have had brochures or similar material from the Trigon. Does that sort of thing still go on?

Whatever happened to the "Fill the Quad" recruiting campaign?