Texas A&M Corps of Cadets

The Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets (often The Fightin' Texas Aggie Corps of Cadets, The Corps of Cadets, or simply the Corps) is a student military organization at Texas A&M University. Established with the University in 1876, it is the oldest student organization on campus.

Approximately 53 percent of the members of the Cadet Corps receive a commission in the United States Armed Forces upon graduation. Under federal law, Texas A&M University is one of six U.S. colleges that are classified as senior military colleges. Though students at Texas A&M are technically required to participate in the Corps, the majority of incoming students are excused by the University Administration and the Commandant. Those who elect to join the Corps must participate in mandatory Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) courses and training for the first two years, but these are optional for junior and senior year cadets. Juniors and seniors who do not have military contracts to receive commissions, but who wish to remain members of the Cadet Corps, are classified as "Drill & Ceremonies" (D&C) cadets and are required to attend leadership classes taught by the Commandant's Office.

The Corps of Cadets was founded in 1876 with the creation of The Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, which was established as an all-male military college. Texas A&M remained a primarily all-male military institution with mandatory membership in the Cadet Corps until 1964, when the school also began admitting women, and 1965 when Corps membership became voluntary. Members of the Cadet Corps have served in every conflict fought by the United States since the Spanish–American War. During World War II, Texas A&M produced 20,229 Aggies who served in combat. Of those, 14,123 were commissioned as officers, more than the combined total of the United States Naval Academy and the United States Military Academy during the same timeframe. Over 250 Aggies have served as Generals or Flag Officers, while eight former students have been awarded the highest United States military award, the Medal of Honor:

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