Will knowledge of my SMC and/or the Military land me into trouble in ROTC?

[lacebolla]

Hi everyone. As I'm preparing for my Plan B (Texas A&M), I just wanted to check in about one thing as I'm getting ready. I have two friends who are currently in the Corps, and they've told me how much Campusology and other things about both A&M/The Corps and the military they have had to learn as a freshman. In knowing this, would it be wise of me to learn about all of this before it is taught to me?

Along with that, I know they teach you other things, such as making beds. Being the daughter of two officers (Navy and Air Force), I already know how to make a bed along with other things, such as folding clothes and shining boots. My question is if knowing this before would get me into trouble, as I have heard it does at both the SA's and SMC's. Would taking the initiative to learn A&M customs and history, as well as knowing other military traditions and practices, land me into trouble?

 

[kinnem]

Just one man's opinion, but I wouldn't go out of my way to learn it, nor would I avoid it if it came up in conversation. I don't expect you would be in trouble in any way. The keys are:
1. Remembering that stress is part of the training and if they don't stress you on teaching things you've already learned, they will find another way to stress you.
2. Don't be a show-off about all the things you have learned. Help others but otherwise try to fly under the radar on this stuff. ie. Don't be THAT guy.

 

[parentalunit2]

This is not really something to stress over. Seriously, you are way overthinking this. Take the nervous energy/anxiety you have on this topic and apply it in a practical way - go work out!

 

[ghostwritergirl]

Hi everyone. As I'm preparing for my Plan B (Texas A&M), I just wanted to check in about one thing as I'm getting ready. I have two friends who are currently in the Corps, and they've told me how much Campusology and other things about both A&M/The Corps and the military they have had to learn as a freshman. In knowing this, would it be wise of me to learn about all of this before it is taught to me?

Along with that, I know they teach you other things, such as making beds. Being the daughter of two officers (Navy and Air Force), I already know how to make a bed along with other things, such as folding clothes and shining boots. My question is if knowing this before would get me into trouble, as I have heard it does at both the SA's and SMC's. Would taking the initiative to learn A&M customs and history, as well as knowing other military traditions and practices, land me into trouble?

While I can't speak to the Corps component of your question, I will tell you that TAMU is like it's own little world. Learning about the history and culture of the school is something EVERY Aggies learns...Corps or otherwise. No amount of preparation can prepare anyone for the amount of information you will gain, so don't try to learn it all before you go because there's just no way to do it. Beyond that, no one will know if you already have knowledge of their traditions if you are humble and don't try to be a showoff. Don't say you already know how to do something or that you learned how to do it a different way, it doesn't matter. It's all part of the Aggie experience.

Enjoy College Station and know that you will have a new family for life in that Aggie Ring.