Lawman32RPD
10-Year Member
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2011
- Messages
- 308
The March To The Brazos (MTTB) marks the end of the “Fish” (freshman) experience. While the Fish got their “Corps Brass” in the fall they were still Fish and had very privileges. Through the course of the spring semester the “Zips” (Seniors) and” Sergebutts” or “Butts” (Juniors) eventually “Drop Handles” with the Fish (call them by their first name) the “Pissheads” (Sophomores) don’t drop handles until MTTB. In most outfits the Pissheads and Zips then go to a buddy dinner afterwards.
Next Saturday will be the “Final Review”, which is actually two reviews. The entire Corps marches in the first “pass” or review. Then they retire to their dorms. The outgoing Zips put on their unit T-shirts and they will be the reviewing officials. The incoming Zips put on their “Senior Boots” for the first time (at least officially) and take their places as the new leaders of the Corps. The incoming Butts put on their new white belts and assume their respective positions. The rising Pissheads also march, and the new Guidons holds the flag as the units pass in review. Final Review marks the end of the Corps for that academic year as the cadets are busy taking exams and the outgoing Zips are preparing to graduate and in many instances, to commission.
By Rebecca Fiedler rebecca.fiedler@theeagle.com | 0 comments
More than 2,500 members of the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets stepped off Saturday morning as part of the 40th Annual March to the Brazos benefitting the March of Dimes.
The 18-mile march, which begins at the Texas A&M Quad and finishes at the Texas A&M Beef Center near the east bank of the Brazos River, raised a record amount for the nonprofit. This year, cadets raised $130,000 through fundraising efforts and donations, up $15,000 from last year.
"This year is special because it's 40 years of partnership between the Corps and March of Dimes, and most importantly $3 million total [over 40 years] has been raised after this year," said Mark Maltsberger, chair of the board of the Bryan-College Station March of Dimes.
Maltsberger, a former Corps member from the class of '97, said the connection between the Corps and the March of Dimes is personal.
In 2010, as Maltsberger was working the march on behalf of the nonprofit, his wife went into premature labor with their third child. The funds raised by the March of Dimes helped his son become the healthy child he is today.
"Due to the funds raised, as a father I know I directly contributed to my third child being born, and it's something amazing," he said. "I try and stress to cadets that the money they're raising here is for their own children some day.
"Most of the cadets are between the ages of 18 and 22 and aren't thinking about that yet, but when their baby is in [the intensive care unit] they'll start thinking about it," he said. "That's where we get some of our alumni donors. It's amazing how many people are touched by the March of Dimes, how many of these cadets were actually born prematurely and are here today because of the March of Dimes."
Once they made it to the beef center, cadets rested under the shade of oak trees, enjoyed lunch and mingled with each other and visiting Houston Texans cheerleaders.
"Once you get out here, it's the most fun part of the day because of the transition of leadership," said class of 2017's Spencer Old of Company D2.
Old said it was surreal that in just a few months he would be at the top of the pyramid.
"It's a cool event and it's the end of the year, so it signifies that we're finally done and finals are coming up," he said. "I'm about to be a senior, and it's exciting to think I get to put on the boots soon. It means I've made it through the year."
It wasn't just Corps members taken by the Aggie spirit Saturday.
Though he hasn't marched the full distance since 2008, 87-year-old Ted Baglin of Santa Rosa, California, came for the 35th year to participate in a portion of the march with Company E1. Baglin, a Navy veteran, who has lived in various Texas cities never attended Texas A&M. He's never even lived in Bryan-College Station.
"I came to work in Texas and got brainwashed by the Aggies," he said. Baglin said he was drawn to support Texas A&M and the cadets because of the Aggies he met while living in Texas.
Reveille briefly accompanied Baglin, who was dressed in a handmade Aggie T-shirt touting his 35 years of participation, his camouflage pants held up by a white belt and shining Texas A&M belt buckle.
"I love the spirit of Aggieland and have so many friends from all these years," Baglin said. "I could write a book about it."
http://www.theeagle.com/news/local/texas-a-m-corps-of-cadets-holds-th-annual-march/article_56aca083-530f-55ff-bcd8-093a0393e736.html (emphasis added)
Next Saturday will be the “Final Review”, which is actually two reviews. The entire Corps marches in the first “pass” or review. Then they retire to their dorms. The outgoing Zips put on their unit T-shirts and they will be the reviewing officials. The incoming Zips put on their “Senior Boots” for the first time (at least officially) and take their places as the new leaders of the Corps. The incoming Butts put on their new white belts and assume their respective positions. The rising Pissheads also march, and the new Guidons holds the flag as the units pass in review. Final Review marks the end of the Corps for that academic year as the cadets are busy taking exams and the outgoing Zips are preparing to graduate and in many instances, to commission.
By Rebecca Fiedler rebecca.fiedler@theeagle.com | 0 comments
More than 2,500 members of the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets stepped off Saturday morning as part of the 40th Annual March to the Brazos benefitting the March of Dimes.
The 18-mile march, which begins at the Texas A&M Quad and finishes at the Texas A&M Beef Center near the east bank of the Brazos River, raised a record amount for the nonprofit. This year, cadets raised $130,000 through fundraising efforts and donations, up $15,000 from last year.
"This year is special because it's 40 years of partnership between the Corps and March of Dimes, and most importantly $3 million total [over 40 years] has been raised after this year," said Mark Maltsberger, chair of the board of the Bryan-College Station March of Dimes.
Maltsberger, a former Corps member from the class of '97, said the connection between the Corps and the March of Dimes is personal.
In 2010, as Maltsberger was working the march on behalf of the nonprofit, his wife went into premature labor with their third child. The funds raised by the March of Dimes helped his son become the healthy child he is today.
"Due to the funds raised, as a father I know I directly contributed to my third child being born, and it's something amazing," he said. "I try and stress to cadets that the money they're raising here is for their own children some day.
"Most of the cadets are between the ages of 18 and 22 and aren't thinking about that yet, but when their baby is in [the intensive care unit] they'll start thinking about it," he said. "That's where we get some of our alumni donors. It's amazing how many people are touched by the March of Dimes, how many of these cadets were actually born prematurely and are here today because of the March of Dimes."
Once they made it to the beef center, cadets rested under the shade of oak trees, enjoyed lunch and mingled with each other and visiting Houston Texans cheerleaders.
"Once you get out here, it's the most fun part of the day because of the transition of leadership," said class of 2017's Spencer Old of Company D2.
Old said it was surreal that in just a few months he would be at the top of the pyramid.
"It's a cool event and it's the end of the year, so it signifies that we're finally done and finals are coming up," he said. "I'm about to be a senior, and it's exciting to think I get to put on the boots soon. It means I've made it through the year."
It wasn't just Corps members taken by the Aggie spirit Saturday.
Though he hasn't marched the full distance since 2008, 87-year-old Ted Baglin of Santa Rosa, California, came for the 35th year to participate in a portion of the march with Company E1. Baglin, a Navy veteran, who has lived in various Texas cities never attended Texas A&M. He's never even lived in Bryan-College Station.
"I came to work in Texas and got brainwashed by the Aggies," he said. Baglin said he was drawn to support Texas A&M and the cadets because of the Aggies he met while living in Texas.
Reveille briefly accompanied Baglin, who was dressed in a handmade Aggie T-shirt touting his 35 years of participation, his camouflage pants held up by a white belt and shining Texas A&M belt buckle.
"I love the spirit of Aggieland and have so many friends from all these years," Baglin said. "I could write a book about it."
http://www.theeagle.com/news/local/texas-a-m-corps-of-cadets-holds-th-annual-march/article_56aca083-530f-55ff-bcd8-093a0393e736.html (emphasis added)