The Texan Corps of Cadets is a student military organization at Tarleton State University located on the university's main campus in Stephenville, Texas.[1][2] Tarleton's original Corps of Cadets traces its roots to 1917 but was reactivated in 2016 after becoming inactive in the 1950s.[2] Tarleton is a member of the Association of Military Colleges & Schools of the United States.[1]
Cadet life
Military service
Members of the Texan Corps of Cadets are not required to serve in the military upon completion of the program or their degree.[3] Since 1917 Tarleton has participated in the Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) which does require a commitment for military service upon graduation.[4] While separate programs, they are both administered by the College of Liberal & Fine Arts within the School of Criminology, Criminal Justice and Strategic Studies.[5][6]
Cadets may pursue programs for US Army, US Air Force, and US Marine Corps.[7]
Organization
The Texan Corps of Cadets consists of a Battalion Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), Alpha Company, and Bravo Company. The Corps is led by a Cadet Colonel and Cadet Command Sergeant Major while HHC and Companies are led by a Cadet Captain and a Cadet First Sergeant. The Headquarters and Headquarters Company contains all Corps Level Staff and their assistants along with any MS5 and Green to Gold Active-Duty Option (ADO) Cadets. Alpha and Bravo Company both consist of two platoons of cadets led by a Cadet Second Lieutenant and a Cadet Sergeant First Class. Each Platoon averages about 25 Cadets broken down into three squads. Cadet Squads are led by a 3rd Year Cadet and two 2nd Year Cadets and average about 3-4 Freshmen Cadets.
Cadet Uniforms
Members of the Corps of Cadets wear distinctive uniforms around campus in order to show their membership within the program. Cadets will wear different uniforms depending on the day of the week, events of the day, or any special details they may be a part of.
| Unit | Description |
|---|---|
| Class A Uniform | This is the highest level of Cadet Dress and is reserved for Special events such as Brass Ceremony and the annual Military ball. |
| Class B Summer Uniform | The class B Summer uniform is worn by Cadets during all business hours on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday. The wear of the Class B Variants follows the observation of Daylight Savings with the Summer Uniform (Whites) being worn March-November. Senior Cadets are authorized to wear their Senior Straw Hats with this uniform. |
| Class B Winter Uniform | The class B Winter uniform is worn by Cadets during all business hours on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday. The wear of the Class B Variants follows the observation of Daylight Savings with the Winter Uniform (Midnights) being worn November-March. Senior Cadets are authorized to wear their Senior Felt Hats with this uniform. |
| Utility Uniforms | Cadets wear the Army Combat Uniform (ACU) in the Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP) with differences based on ROTC affiliation. All non-contracted Cadets wear OCPs with Tarleton State Branch Tapes and T-Shield Patches on both sleeves. Army Contracted Cadets wear OCPs with US Army Branch Tapes and the Army Cadet Command Unit Patch. Airforce Contracted Cadets wear OCPs with US Airforce Branch Tapes and the AFRTOC Patch. Marine PLC Contracted Cadets wear OCPs with Tarleton State Branch Tapes and the US Marine Corps OCS/PLC patch. All Contracted Cadets wear a T Shield patch on the right sleeve underneath the US Flag. |
| Purple Thursdays Polo | On Thursdays Cadets wear a Purple Corps of Cadets Polo shirt with khaki pants. Senior Cadets are authorized to wear their Senior boots and hats in this Uniform. |
| Gameday Uniform | The Gameday Uniform is a modified OCP uniform that drops the blouse and has cadets wear their purple Gameday t-shirt. This uniform is worn to various school events and all Sports events. |
| Physical Training Uniform | The PT uniform is worn during morning PT on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Contracted Cadets will wear the PT uniform of their Branch on Tuesday. |
Academics
The Texan Corps of Cadets offers students an opportunity to obtain a minor in Leadership Studies. All cadets live together in a residence hall at Tarleton called Traditions South. All Cadets wear their uniforms to class every day and must abide by the regulations set forth in the "Chisel".[8]
Special units
| Unit | Description |
|---|---|
| Rudder's Riders | Rudder's Riders manages the collection of cannons used by the Corps for various school and community events. These Cannons include: "Doc's Revival" (3-inch M1905 Field Gun), a 75mm Pack Howitzer, a silver training cannon nicknamed "Humphries' Redemption", and the inert original 3-inch M1902 cannon on display in front of the Education building. |
| Grill Sergeants | Texan Corps Grill Team; Provides Tailgate Meals and Serves Local Community |
| Ranger Challenge | Ranger Challenge is the Army ROTC varsity sport. Teams form early in the semester and train rigorously nearly every morning of the week in order to prepare for Taskforce and Brigade competitions. Teams compete at these levels in order to secure a slot to the Sandhurst Military Skills Competition at the United States Military Academy at West Point. |
| Wainwright Rifles Drill Team | The Wainwright Rifles Drill Team was established at Tarleton in 1949. It is the Drill Team for the Corps of Cadets that specializes in Ceremonial and Exhibition Drill. Events consist of Rifle Salutes and Participation in various campus events. |
Commandant of Cadets
- Colonel Kenny Weldon (1 July 2015[6][9] - 1 July 2022)
- Colonel Douglas Simon (since 1 July 2022)[10]
References
- ^ a b "Tarleton State University | Military Colleges and Schools". amcsus.org. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
- ^ a b Hernandez, Rebecca (1 September 2016). "Corps of Cadets reestablishes status and history at Tarleton – Texan News Service | Tarleton State University". texannews.net. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
- ^ "Cadet Life - Corps of Cadets". Tarleton State University. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
- ^ "Tarleton Army ROTC". Tarleton State University. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
- ^ "Departments & Programs - College of Liberal & Fine Arts". Tarleton State University. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
- ^ a b "Stephenville mayor to lead renewal of Tarleton's Corps of Cadets". Stephenville Empire-Tribune. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
- ^ "Corps of Cadets". Tarleton State University. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
- ^ https://www.tarleton.edu/cadets/documents/handbook.pdf [bare URL PDF]
- ^ "Retired Colonel Named Dean of Tarleton Leadership and Military College". Tarleton State University. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
- ^ "U.S. Army Col. Doug Simon to Lead Tarleton Corps of Cadets | The President". www.tarleton.edu. Retrieved 11 December 2022.