Happy Labor Day! Today was your sons' and daughters' first day of class. The first day of class, especially for freshmen, can be exciting and nerve-racking. However, it was also the first time for the freshmen to wear their uniforms around campus and I was very proud of the way they represented themselves and the outfit. This morning the Aggie Band had their first practice of the school year, and we were able to learn the entire drill, minus music, on the first day. I have no doubt this weekend will be one of the best first drills yet. In addition, we also had our first physical training session this afternoon and the freshmen showed very impressive effort. 

This Saturday, September 6th we will be having our first BBQ of the year. It will be held at 12:30 p.m. and sausage will be served. It will cost between $6-8. Outfit BBQs are a lot of fun and I really encourage all family members and friends to make it!

Here are some picture from evening formation on the first day of class.

Sophomores hard at work training the freshmen.

 

BTHO Lamar and Gig 'Em!

- Jordan Garcia

A-Company Commander

Thursday night the entire Corps had the opportunity to watch the Aggie Football Team BTHO the South Carolina Gamecocks in Duncan Dining Center. The freshmen sat on one side of Duncan while the upperclassmen sat on the other in order to give the freshmen the chance to relax with each other and reminisce about FOW. Hot dogs, nachos, and other beverages were provided in a fun atmosphere as the entire Corps watched The Aggies defeat the Gamecocks 52 to 28.

Afterward, the freshmen were put to sleep while the upperclassmen prepared for one of the best kept FOW secrets, the annual Airout. An "Airout" is when the freshmen are woken up an hour after they go to bed and led to Corps Plaza by their upperclassmen. When they arrive, the band is playing the War Hymn, and the entire Corps of Cadets Class of 2018 participates in their official yell practice. The Airout serves as a team building experience which signifies the completion of FOW training.

Freshmen rally around the A-Co Guidon, the physical symbol of the outfit

A-Co 1st SGT Andrew Hounsel and Combined Band Training SGT Peyton Fry experience their first Airout as Whitebelts 

The freshmen class bonding on their way back from the yell practice

After the yell practice was completed, the freshmen had some additional bonding time with their seniors where FOW stories from the past and present were exchanged. Lastly, the freshmen were awarded their Aggie Band Ringers, the official drill practice uniform of the Aggie Band. Whoop!

This Saturday, the freshmen officially completed FOW by participating the Fish Review. The freshmen took the cadet oath and are now officially members of the Corps of Cadets. It has been an exciting, motivating, and at times stressful past 10 days, but I am beyond proud of what the outfit has accomplished so far and eager to see where they go.  Please continue to visit this blog for updates on the entire outfit as we move forward. BTHO Lamar and Gig 'em.

- Jordan Garcia '15
  A-Company Commander

Today was a very exciting day for the freshmen! After a couple of days of hard work learning how to become freshmen, the fish took a break and participated in the annual Fightin' Texas Aggie FOW Water Fight. The water fight during FOW is a tradition in which the fish dress up with war paint and march out to Spence Park, where they are allowed to fill up their trash cans with water and engage in combat with other outfits. Traditionally, all the band outfits ban together to work against the C.T.'s (Non-Band Corps Members), but they also take the opportunity to drench their upperclassmen. The water fight provided much needed stress relief for the freshmen and also provided another opportunity to bond with their classmates. As we make the final push through FOW the freshmen will be learning how to properly wear the uniforms and preparing for Fish Review. Hoping to see many of you there!

Sounding the drums of war....

Before the action

fish Willis catches Infantry Band Drum Major Shaun Bruner off guard 

Wolves Run Together (Especially in Water Fights)

After the Water Fight with the Zips

- Jordan Garcia '15
A-Company Commander

Last night was a very special night for the freshmen. In the Corps of Cadets, the official process of meeting an upperclassmen is known as "whipping out", in which an upperclassmen and a underclassmen exchange info such as name, hometown, and major. Up until now, the freshmen had not formally met their entire senior class by the process of whipping out. Last night, the freshmen were led by 1st SGT Andrew Hounsel out to the Lawrence Sullivan Ross Memorial on campus where they officially introduced themselves to the entire class of of A-Company 2015. This is a special spot for the A-Co class of '15, for this is where we met our seniors just three short years ago. From there, the freshmen were escorted back to the dorms to participate in another cherished tradition known as "boot pulling" in which a freshman assists a senior in removing his/her boots (which is extremely difficult and near impossible to do alone) and spends quality time building a relationship with that specific senior. Pulling my senior's boots my freshman year was one of the most enjoyable experiences I had, and I can only hope the class of 2018 will remember me and my buddies as fondly as we do the class of 2012 (our seniors).

And of course, pictures....

This morning, the freshmen were able to enjoy their first extended break and attended either a religious service of their choice, toured the Memorial Student Center, or caught up on some much deserved sleep. I will be sure to update everyone more as we move toward the final days of FOW!

Howdy Pack!

First off, as promised, here are some photos from the first day of FOW

fish Falatko excited for check in!

1st Platoon Leader Mr. Arquitola escorting fish Rose to A-Co check in.

Finally Zips!

fish meet their sophomores for the first time.

Today, Friday, August 22nd the A-Co Class of '15 seniors took the freshman class to get their haircuts in one of many fish/zip traditions. The freshmen and senior class have a special relationship that is cherished throughout the Corps and especially in A-Co, due to the fact that we only have one year to spend together. The fish were led by their seniors to Northgate Barber Shop where they took their next big step toward becoming fish in the Corps. While a lot of them couldn't recognize themselves in the mirror after their haircut, I'm sure you will all be proud of the men and women of integrity they will become during their time at Texas A&M.

Without further ado...

Females didn't get left out. They learned how to make their buns today!

Before...

...and after!

For many more pictures, please like our Facebook page, "A-Co Wolfpack Families". Looking forward the next couple of days, the freshmen have more academic instruction as well as their first rehearsal with the entire Aggie Band. Whoop! Pictures to come.

- Jordan Garcia '15

  A-Co Commander

Howdy Wolfpack Family and Friends!

The class of 2018 has finally arrived! In what was one of the most exciting and most anticipated days of my life, the A-Co freshman class of 2018 arrived yesterday 22 strong. After being separated from their parents the fish were brought to the dorms where they were changed into FOWU (Freshman Orientation Week Uniform) which consists of a white t-shirt, jeans, low quarter shoes and their Corps of Cadets baseball cap. The freshman were then trained on hallway procedures by their sophomores as well as this year's First Sergeant Andrew Hounsel. From there the freshman were brought out to the quad where they learned how to stand in a block and participated in their first formation with the Corps of Cadets. After that the freshman had a meeting with the band director, Dr. Timothy Rhea, and then I had the opportunity to explain to the freshman some of the values important to A-Company, emphasizing integrity and a commitment to excellence. I still remember like it was yesterday the first time my commander during my freshman year sat us down for the first time. Sitting in the very same position 3 short years later was a very surreal moment for me, one I'm sure I'll cherish for a lifetime. This morning the freshman had their very first practice with the Aggie Band, followed by a long day of meetings and briefings with their respective ROTC departments (Army, Navy, or Air Force). Looking forward to an exciting rest of the week, with haircuts soon to come!

P.S. - The pictures taken form the first day are still being uploaded, but I will post them as soon as possible!

Respectfully,
Jordan Garcia
A-Company Commander 2014-2015

'Last time Army!'

Final review marks the end of the year and the official change of command for the Corps of Cadets. It is the only time that the Corps passes in review without a fish class. It is a very proud and emotional time for all classes, especially the senior class, who wears their uniform for the last time. This will be my last post for the A-Co Commander's blog. Jordan Garcia will be taking over from here. I could write for days about all that I've experienced and how much appreciate all the support that I've had in my time in the Corps, but I'll keep it short.

A-Co has had an amazing year. I can't express how proud I am of everyone's hard work and how much I appreciate your effort. It has been amazing to see how much y'all have grown and changed over the course of the year. Thank you especially to the parents who have put in all the behind the scenes work which allows us to do what we do here.

My time in the Corps has been interesting to say the least. I've had many memorable experiences that I never would have had as a normal college student to include marching in front of 80,000 people, traveling to China, and performing a saber arch for a Medal of Honor recipient. The leadership experience is definitely a large part of the Corps, but I think the life experience is an even bigger and more important part. As commander, and throughout my time in the Corps and Aggie Band, I've faced many challenges, but I always knew that no matter what, I'd have the support of my buddies. Here's to the class of 2014.

It's a great day for a great day for a run A-Co, because you made it one.

In Relentless Pursuit,

Patrick Casey
A-Co Commander Class of 2014