It is important when beginning anything new to look where we've
come from. This is especially true at Texas A&M and even more so within the
Corps. While I can’t speak for the 30+ year history of A-Company, I can tell
you my experience from the past 3 years.
I joined A-Co in the Fall of 2010 really having not a clue
what I was getting myself into. All I knew is that my friends from high school,
Carson Talley and Robby Handley, were going to be seniors in the outfit, and if
it was the right place for them, then it was the right place for me. Freshman
year brought forth a world of “new”; new school, new lifestyle, and new
challenges to meet. I soon learned that the rigor of the corps was nothing
compared to the rigor of computer engineering, but I also learned that I didn't
have to face these difficulties alone. I had my fish class buddies and the
support network of my upperclassmen to help me through my first year of
college. During that first year I learned the importance of time management and
how to work with those around me to complete physically and mentally demanding
tasks.
Sophomore year brought a whole new lifestyle in addition to
more responsibility. For arguably the first time ever, my decisions and actions
had vast impact on the well-being and day to day lives of those around me. As
outfit clerk I learned the importance of completing tasks promptly and going
beyond what was asked of me. Sophomore year is often regarded as the most
difficult year due to the constant pressure to perform perfectly in all aspects
and set the example for the freshman. Luckily, I had a great deal of help with
all of my outfit duties from my ol’ lady (roommate) Adam Hallmark.
Junior year is where paths start to diverge for most people
in the corps. There isn't a constant pressure to be unified and accountable to those
above you. For the first time, peer leadership takes becomes the prominent factor
in the effectiveness of a class. I had the honor of serving as the outfit First
Sergeant this past year. The first sergeant has the job of maintaining the
relationship between the junior and senior classes, ensuring that the freshmen
are trained properly, and guiding the sophomores on how to train properly. The
job was without a doubt the most difficult that I've done, but the knowledge
and experience that I've gathered cannot be replicated elsewhere. I also had
the great honor of working with one of the greatest commanding officers A-Co
has had- Garrett Williams. Garrett refocused the outfit’s efforts and got us
headed in the direction that we needed to be going. We started a new tradition of
running 100 miles a semester to emphasize our motto, “Wolves Run Together”. At parent’s weekend, we were presented the Hochmuth
award for outstanding military proficiency.
As we look to next year, the biggest challenge we face is
not only maintaining the success that we've had this year, but pushing forward
to accomplish even more. We have goals in place and plans made, but most
importantly, we have the people we need to get the job done. I can’t wait to
see where the classes of '14, '15, and '16 take the outfit next year and what
the Class of 2017 (Whoop!) has to bring to the table.
