Pros/Cons of Joining the Corps of Cadets TAMU

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Mustapha

5-Year Member
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Apr 2, 2012
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Next year I'll be an undergraduate freshman at Texas A&M. About a year ago I became interested in joining the Corps of Cadets as well as doing Army ROTC at Texas A&M.

I've wanted to join the Army since I was a kid, I've just never pursued it seriously (or received the encouragement) until I was a HS Junior. I felt the military was lacking Muslims with cultural and linguistics skills, so I wanted to use my skills to not only serve my country, but to also show folks American Muslims aren't bad people. Plus I'm kinda sick of the stereotype going around my family that only private sector lawyers, doctors, and engineers are successful careers. It's seriously having a bad influence on my younger cousins and I feel like they need a role model that encourages them to broaden their futures.

I've shadowed a few of my Corps friends on campus and I've really liked how disciplined and active their lives are. Overall I want to do something new in college and I want to get a challenge out of it, I feel the Corps is that challenge.

However almost everyone I've spoken to has advised me to rethink my plans at A&M. My mom says the Corps will take away time for me to study (I am double majoring in Poli Sci and Econ so she does have a point) My dad isn't too keen on me doing anything military due to discrimination. (again its not an irrational fear) A few of my friends have been telling me I'm joining for the wrong reasons; I should enjoy college not work my tail off in the corps; I'm wasting my potential; ect.

I feel like I have the right intentions of joining I just want to know if I fully understand what I'm getting into.
 
Mustapha said:
Next year I'll be an undergraduate freshman at Texas A&M. About a year ago I became interested in joining the Corps of Cadets as well as doing Army ROTC at Texas A&M.

I've wanted to join the Army since I was a kid, I've just never pursued it seriously (or received the encouragement) until I was a HS Junior. I felt the military was lacking Muslims with cultural and linguistics skills, so I wanted to use my skills to not only serve my country, but to also show folks American Muslims aren't bad people. Plus I'm kinda sick of the stereotype going around my family that only private sector lawyers, doctors, and engineers are successful careers. It's seriously having a bad influence on my younger cousins and I feel like they need a role model that encourages them to broaden their futures.

I've shadowed a few of my Corps friends on campus and I've really liked how disciplined and active their lives are. Overall I want to do something new in college and I want to get a challenge out of it, I feel the Corps is that challenge.

However almost everyone I've spoken to has advised me to rethink my plans at A&M. My mom says the Corps will take away time for me to study (I am double majoring in Poli Sci and Econ so she does have a point) My dad isn't too keen on me doing anything military due to discrimination. (again its not an irrational fear) A few of my friends have been telling me I'm joining for the wrong reasons; I should enjoy college not work my tail off in the corps; I'm wasting my potential; ect.

I feel like I have the right intentions of joining I just want to know if I fully understand what I'm getting into.
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Have you done much research in addition to the visits? TAMU was my first choice for a Marine Option NROTC scholarship, and numerous family members of mine have attended A&M, but its not for everyone. It has a very good reputation academically. The Corps of Cadets does too, but it's tough. At the end of fish year (freshman year), about 20% of newcomers will have dropped out of the Corps of Cadets.

If you really want to be immersed in a military academy-esque atmosphere, go for it. I think you've got the wrong idea though when you mention not pursueing it seriously due to lack of encouragement. I understand family members have to have the experience explained to them, and sometimes still will be against it, but in the end its your choice. It really comes down to how much you want the lifestyle (both at A&M and beyond).
 
pilot2b said:
Have you done much research in addition to the visits? TAMU was my first choice for a Marine Option NROTC scholarship, and numerous family members of mine have attended A&M, but its not for everyone. It has a very good reputation academically. The Corps of Cadets does too, but it's tough. At the end of fish year (freshman year), about 20% of newcomers will have dropped out of the Corps of Cadets.
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I've researched it for the past year, visited the campus 4 times over the course of my senior year, and spent two days with the Corps. So far I like what I see.
 
As far as studying, I think they have a mandatory study period, and they pair you up with people that have the same major as you. Like, when choosing your company, if you're a non tech major, they try to guide you to the non tech outfits so that someone may have your major, and that if you need help, they're there. Also, Im pretty sure every outfit is very serious about grades, they don't want failing cadets in their outfit :smile:

I don't think you'll be wasting anything-potential, time, you don't really have any time to waste freshmen year so..

Its really a personal decision, do it for the right reasons though, do it because you want to do it. Its hard, as was stated, and its meant to be that way.

Personally, I'm joining the corps at Norwich, similar stuff, and I'm doing it because I too thought about becoming an Officer in the military as my career, but wasn't sure ( I am now). I think the corps is great for that, at TAMU, and anywhere else, because it gives you a little taste of what its like, before jumping into something you might not really want. So if the corps isn't for you, the military life isn't your thing, you can walk away, where as you can't do that in the military

Good Luck with your decision :thumb:
 
I'm a current freshman in the Corps at TAMU. Feel free to PM me with any questions you have and I can thoroughly answer them or direct you to someone who can.
 
MorganC said:
I'm a current freshman in the Corps at TAMU. Feel free to PM me with any questions you have and I can thoroughly answer them or direct you to someone who can.
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My brother is at fow right now and had concerns regarding limitations on freshmen and Sophomores stating that they aren't allowed a life outside the corp until they are Juniors. I'm hoping that it's just the upperclassmen psyching them out, weeding out the weak. Is there any truth to it and what advice would you give my brother?
 
Tried to send you an PM but couldn't. There is some truth to it based on what I've heard from cadets. Some of it depends on which outfit you are talking about; the "academic" outfits might have a bit more time for "Off-The-Quad" engagements; some of the others that really push commissioning or physical fitness might have less time. A lot of it depends on the student's major. There isn't a lot of time, especially as a freshman or sophomore. That said, it can be done in drips and drabs. Some of it also depends on the time commitment the "other-than-the-Corps" organization is looking for, a meeting or an event now and then, probably can do it. That said, if you have a Corps commitment (March-In, Football Game, Parade, military training time, etc.) or an Outfit commitment (BBQ before the game, training time, etc.) they expect those to come first.
 
I'm a freshmen at Virginia Tech which is very similar to Texas A and M in that they are both Senior Military Colleges with Civilians attending them. If you can get through the first two months or so, then you are golden. Another person said something about a 20% drop rate. Most of that 20% will be within those first two months of you being there. It is also hard to juggle academics, ROTC, and the corp your first semester so I would recommend having a very light course load made up mostly of gen eds. That's what I'm doing as a physics major and I'm surviving so far. Good luck and just remember that the first night is the worst and that it gets easier the longer you are there.
 
Pretty good responses above. I may add that hazing is a good way for the person committing it to end their military career before it starts. There is zero tolerance in all the SMCs now. Everything is completely investigated. You have to realize the Corps is not the military and never has been. That is very hard for many cadets to understand. Many who go thru it never join the services.

The Corps provides a structured lifestyle with accountability with rules, supporting others, responsibility, daily challenges and the opportunity to lead. The outcome is hoped to be a person who has discipline, commitment, self-confidence, accomplished goals, built others and is prepared to overcome life's challenges. It is certainly not for everyone. It is not easy but also very beneficial to many.
 
To be frank. No ones going to care about your religion, skin color, etc . It's about performance, leadership, gpa . I know a middle eastern American Muslim new Air Force LT cyber space officer from university of Maryland. Just be yourself. Don't be solely defined by one thing. And it's college have fun. And discrimination for officers is a myth. ROTC /OCS is for making officers. You can do it in grad school too, so this post is still relevant lol
 
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