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Draft:Texas A&M Maritime Academy

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The Texas A&M Maritime Academy (TMA) is a student military organization at Texas A&M University at Galveston. Established with the university in 1876, it is one of only seven United States maritime academies that train U.S. Merchant Marine officers, and the only one located on the Gulf of Mexico.[1]

TAMUG is located on Pelican Island, offering benefits for its maritime focused majors.

The campus's academic programs are ocean-focused. It is the home of the Texas A&M Maritime Academy and has a Navy-option-only NROTC unit on campus. (Marine Corps-option NROTC cadets must attend the main campus in College Station.)

Training

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The Texas A&M Maritime Academy (TMA) The program provides an opportunity for cadets to learn how to maintain and operate unlimited-tonnage ocean-going vessels. Students sail aboard the TMA training ship and commercial ships during three summer cruises to gain practical experience in navigation, seamanship, and engineering operations. In addition, the cadets receive classroom instruction and hands-on training during the regular school semester. Training facilities include the training ship, simulators, diesel and steam labs, various small boats, davits, and other hands-on resources. At the culmination of their study, license option or strategic sealift officer program cadets are tested to become licensed as unlimited-tonnage third mates or third engineers (officers) in the U.S. Merchant Marine. This is per Title 46 Code of the Code of Federal Regulation Part 11.[2] The academy also commissions reserve and active duty naval officers.[3]

Students who elect to join the Corps must participate in mandatory Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) courses and training for the first three semesters, but they are optional after that. All cadets are required to attend leadership classes in the School of Military Science coordinated by the Commandant's Office. Approximately 45 percent[citation needed] of the members of the Cadet Corps continue with the ROTC curriculum, contract with the military, and receive commissions as officers in the United States armed forces upon graduation. Juniors and seniors who do not have military contracts to receive commissions but wish to remain members of the Cadet Corps are classified as "Drill & Ceremonies" (D&C) cadets. As established under federal law, Texas A&M is one of six U.S. colleges classified as senior military colleges and is the largest.[4]

History

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On January 26, 1962, a long sought-after idea of a Texas-based maritime academy came to fruition when the Texas Governor Price Daniel and the president of Texas A&M, General Earl Rudder, signed the agreement authorizing the Texas Maritime Academy. General Rudder subsequently named retired Navy Captain Bennett M. Dodson as the first superintendent of the Texas Maritime Academy. Monday, September 17, 1962, was to be the opening day, and Captain Dodson had put the first class of 23 "Saltwater Aggies" under the guidance of the first Marine Corps company at College Station. This was to inspire maritime cadets with a sense of discipline and tradition at sea. Dodson is quoted saying, "I wanted my students to get Marine Corps discipline and knowledge of Naval tradition during their early college life." The maritime cadets were assigned to Dorm 11 as Company I, 3rd Brigade, (I-3). After their freshman year at the main campus in College Station, the cadets were then moved to Galveston to complete their maritime-related classes. The academy operated between the two campuses for eight years, up to 1971.[5]

In the summer of 1963, as the fledgling academy awaited its own training vessel, some 50 A&M Cadets got underway aboard the Empire State IV with SUNY Maritime for their first official cruise. A&M President Rudder had promised TMA its own ship by the summer of 1965. In that year, the U.S. Maritime Administration announced it would donate the American Export Lines vessel Excalibur, but the vessel was sold, instead. In March, the academy acquired the luxury liner USS Queens, and in June she was refitted to become the USTS Texas Clipper, the academy's first training ship. May 26, 1966 marked the first license ceremony with 13 seniors and General Rudder gave the keynote address. Two days later, the graduating cadets were driven to College Station to attend the Aggie commencement and receive their diplomas. This back-to-back practice continued for 19 years until Galveston started holding its own ceremony.[5]

Currently, cadets/midshipmen do the entire program at the Galveston campus, but participate in two march-ins at Kyle Field per year with the College Station Corps of Cadets. The license ceremony and commencement take place at the Galveston Island Convention Center (2015).[6]

Superintendents

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Since the passage of the Merchant Marine Act of 1970, the position of superintendent a maritime academy is commissioned as a rear admiral (upper half) in the United States Maritime Service, which is under the United States Maritime Administration per Secretary of the Department of Transportation.[7]

List of Superintendents

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Image Name From To Branch Notes
Captain Bennett M. Dodson[8] 1962 1968  United States Navy
Rear Admiral James D. Craik[9] 1968 1971  United States Coast Guard [10]
Rear Admiral John Smith[11] 1971 1978  United States Navy
Kenneth G. Haynes[12] 1978 1983 Unknown
William H. Clayton 1983 1984 Unknown Acting
Commander Ralph G. Davis[13] 1984 1988  United States Navy USNA alumnus
James M. McCloy[14] 1988 1989 Unknown Interim
William E. Evans[15] 1989 1996 Unknown
William T. McMullen[16] 1996 2000 Unknown
Richard Lukens[17] 2000 2004 Unknown
James M. McCloy[18] 2004 2007 Unknown
Allen B. Worley[19] 2007 2009 Unknown
Rear Admiral William W. Pickavance[20] 2009 2012  United States Navy Alumni
Rear Admiral Robert Smith III[21] 2012 2017  United States Navy Alumni
Michael Rodriguez[22] 2017 2019  United States Navy Kings Point Alumni
Colonel Michael E. Fossum[23] 2019 Present  United States Air Force Alumni (TAMU)

Corps of Midshipmen

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All students in the Texas A&M Maritime Academy are required to be in the Corps of Midshipmen. This is a regimented program in accordance with Title 46 Part 310 of the Code of Federal Regulations that is structured to provide discipline, leadership, team building, and a professional learning environment. The TMA Corps of Midshipmen has a unique heritage, with a blend of tradition and customs that originate from its historical foundation with the TAMU Corps of Cadets.

Midshipmen stand morning formations, room inspections, mandatory study periods during call to quarters Sunday through Thursday, and march periodically at events.[24]

The students who make up the Corps of Midshipmen are either referred to as midshipmen or cadets, depending on the program in which they are involved. Within the overall student body, they are referred to as the Corps of Midshipmen.

Cadet/midshipman uniforms have evolved over the years and are similar to naval uniforms. The standard uniform worn day-to-day is the midshipman khaki uniform, similar to service khakis of the U.S. Navy. Other uniforms include the midshipman service dress whites for graduation or special ceremonies, midshipman summer whites, academy blue-coveralls for maintenance, and salt & peppers. SSO and NROTC midshipman wear the Navy working uniform to training events, as well.

The academy has several unique uniform components. Freshman and sophomores wear a black belt with a blue cover. Juniors and seniors wear a white belt with a black cover. Corresponding collar devices and belt buckles are also worn depending on class and rank. Seniors are also allowed to wear a "senior fleece" with a TMA patch in place of the navy Eisenhower jacket. Seniors who have also passed license are authorized to wear a coveted maroon A&M cover, handed out by the superintendent (2015).[24]

The organization structure of the Corps of Midshipmen is mixed with professional staff members at the top and cadet/midshipmen senior leadership. The superintendent, deputy superintendent, assistant commandant, and active-duty naval officers make up the professional staff. The regimental commander, battalion commanders, and company commanders make up the cadet senior leadership.

The Corps of Midshipmen is divided into two battalions and 12 comEight companies are made up primarily of deck license option cadets , two of engineering license option cadets , and two "victor" companies. Victor companies comprise cadets of mixed programs and are either 25 years or older, are married, or have a bachelor's degree or prior military experience. Victor company cadets are allowed to live off campus and participate less in regimental activities. They are generally regarded to set the example for other cadets with their age and experience.[24]

  • Regimental Staff
    • 1st Battalion
      • A-1 (Deck License Option)
      • B-1 (Deck License Option)
      • C-1 (Deck License Option)
      • D-1 (Deck License Option)
      • E-1 (Engineering License Option)
    • 2nd Battalion
      • A-1 (Deck License Option)
      • B-1 (Deck License Option)
      • C-1 (Deck License Option)
      • D-1 (Deck License Option)
      • E-1 (Engineering License Option)
    • Victor Companies
      • V-1
      • V-2

Special Units

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The following are special units within the Corps of which cadets can additionally be members (for example a cadet in D-2 could be a member of the Ross Volunteers, but not the Band).

Special units are organized groups within the corps made up from cadets of all four programs. The special units include the Hearn Honor Company, Color Guard, and Midshipman Drill Team.

official Honor Guard for the Governor of the state of Texas, and, aside from the Cadet Corps itself, is the oldest student organization in the state of Texas. Started in 1887 during the tenure of President H. H. Dinwiddie, the organization was originally named the Scott Volunteers after Col. Thomas M. Scott, the college's business manager. In 1898, the company was renamed for Texas A&M President Lawrence Sullivan Ross.[25][26]

The company is composed of junior and senior cadets. Cadets are chosen on a basis of honor, humility, and character. Each fall, approximately 72 junior cadets are selected into the company by the RV seniors. A critical voting process, undisclosed to outside sources, is conducted to select the new junior inductees. Once the juniors are inducted into the company, it is composed of those newly selected juniors and 35 seniors holding leadership positions. Seniors not selected for leadership positions retain their membership.[26]

This all-freshman precision rifle drill team represents Texas A&M and its Corps of Cadets in competition with other colleges at military drill meets around the nation. The team began when the freshmen were moved from the main campus to deal with the overcrowding and hazing issues that followed World War II and the return of war veterans to the A&M campus. The freshmen were moved to the Riverside Campus Annex and lived in the dorms of the retired Bryan Air Force Base twelve miles from campus. They were bussed to class each day, but primarily lived in isolation from the rest of the Corps. In order to "promote unity and focus on military precision", the freshmen organized themselves into the Freshman Drill Team in the fall of 1947[27]

Over the following 75 years, the team earned dozens of national championships including every national title since 2004, except 2009, when the team placed 2nd.[28][29][30][31] They were selected to portrayed the United States Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon during the opening segment of the 1992 film A Few Good Men and served as army soldiers in training in Courage Under Fire.[32]

Despite a successful record in drill competitions nationwide, in 1997 the Fish Drill Team was put on hiatus for four years due to leadership concerns and issues, most notably hazing of students.[33] The team was reinstated in the spring of 2002.[34]

  • AMC Honor Guard[a]
  • Arnold Air Society (Major Horace S. Carswell Jr. Squadron)
  • C.A.D.E.T (Cultural Awareness and Diversity Expansion Team)[b]
  • Color Guard[c]
  • Corps Center Guard
  • Corps Cybersecurity Special Unit
  • Gen. O.R. Simpson Honor Society[d]
  • Major General T. G. Darling Recruiting Company[e]
    • Summer Recruiting Company
  • Aggie Eagle Post. Cadets who have earned the Boy Scouts of America, Eagle Scout rank, or the Girl Scouts of the USA, Gold Award, are eligible to join. Members conduct community-wide and scout related service as well as participate in/lead various scouting events at both the state and local level. While the unit has held an active status with the university, the unit was formally reactivated/recognized by the Corps in the fall of 2015.

Professional and commissioning programs

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Merchant Marine Licensing Program

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This program includes both "deck cadets" pursuing a major in marine transportation or a master of maritime administration and logistics and "engine cadets" pursuing a major in marine engineering technology. License option cadets make up the majority of the Texas A&M Maritime Academy. These cadets participate in all functions of the Corps of Midshipman, along with various training activities, three summer training cruises, weekly maintenance, and in-port watch-standing activities during the semesters.[38]

Strategic Sealift Officer Program

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This program is made up of license option cadets who are additionally striving for a commission in the United States Navy Reserve as a naval officer with a 166x designator (strategic sealift officer - SSO). As another option, SSO program midshipman are eligible for an active-duty commission.[39] These midshipman make up the second-most popular program within the academy and participate in both license program training activities and NROTC training activities and take additional naval science courses.[38]

This program also offers the cadet a competitive-based student incentive payment of $8000 per year for up to four years.[40]

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These midshipmen are competing for a commission as a naval officer but are not earning a merchant marine license. They participate within the Corps of Midshipmen, yet do not participate in most of the licensing program training. NROTC midshipmen are able to major in any degree offered at the campus.[38]

Drill and Ceremonies Program

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These cadets participate in the Corps of Midshipmen without obligation to any above program. Like NROTC midshipmen, they are able to pursue any major offered.[38]

US Coast Guard MARGRAD Program

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The Maritime Academy Graduate Direct Commission Officer Program is available to cadets who graduate with a license. Cadets apply their senior year to receive a three-year commission as a USCG officer into critical service need specialties appropriate to their training and experience.[41][42]

Class system

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As a member of the Corps, a cadet climbs through four classes of seniority. The current Corps of Cadets uniform is unique among military schools, bearing a close resemblance to the US Army uniforms from after World War I to World War II known as Pinks and greens. There are slight differences in the uniform worn by each class year, noted below, including the Senior Boots, calf-skin riding boots harkening back to the US Army cavalry officer's uniform of World War I. All cadets wear the same basic Corps uniform regardless of service affiliation.[43]

Freshmen

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Fish Review fall of 2006

Freshman cadets are called fish. The first year, is analogous to the experiences of the Rooks at Norwich University, Knobs at The Citadel, Rats of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets and the Virginia Military Institute, Frogs at University of North Georgia, Doolies at the United States Air Force Academy, or Plebes at any of the other U.S. Federal Service Academies.

Both freshmen and sophomore cadets are required to wear metal taps on the heels of their shoes. In addition, male fish must maintain an extremely short hairstyle known colloquially as a "fish cut". Corps freshmen are not addressed by their first name; a freshman named John Smith would become fish Smith his freshman year in the Corps. A freshman whose last name is not known to the speaker is referred to by the generic name "fish Jones." Cadets who started in the same class year are known as buddies.

In addition to standardized answers, every fish is required to know the answers to a wide number of questions including, "What's for chow?", "How many days until Final Review?", and a long list of university history questions. Upon meeting an upperclassman fish must introduce themselves and learn the upperclassman's name. As the academic year progresses, some upperclassmen will begin to grant the fish permission to use his or her first name and speak more informally.[44]

Sophomores

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Sophomores in the Corps are known as pissheads, often bowdlerized as "head". A sophomore's duty in the Corps is to train and drill the freshmen through all their necessary duties and responsibilities through Final Review in May. They are graded by the performance of their freshmen. Much like drill sergeants, the pissheads are responsible for seeing that the fish adapt and excel in Corps life through rigorous, diligent, and sometimes intense instruction. Sophomores are expected to be the best example of cadets for their fish. It is generally considered bad form for a junior or senior to correct a sophomore in view of freshmen.

Juniors

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US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates (wearing senior boots) along with senior cadets at the Pentagon give the "Gig 'em"

As a junior, the cadet is called a "sergebutt" or more commonly just butt. The nickname is a result of a junior privilege to purchase tailor made the serge uniforms which were easier to maintain and required less ironing. The Corps juniors, wearing a white braid on their garrison caps and white cotton belts, run the daily operations of the Corps. They hold the rank of cadet sergeant through cadet sergeant major, depending on the position attained.

Seniors

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Senior cadets are often referred to as "zips" (short for "zipperheads"), referring to the black and gold "zipper" braid on the garrison cap. A senior may also be referred to as an "elephant," which derives from the senior class Elephant Walk tradition held the week before the last regularly scheduled football game of the year. Seniors hold cadet officer rank, from Cadet 2nd Lieutenant to Cadet Colonel of the Corps.

Senior cadets, like all seniors at Texas A&M, may also order an Aggie Ring, the symbol of the university and one's graduating class.

A senior cadet is easily recognized by the distinctive brown calf-skin leather boots, known as senior boots, sabre, and gold braid on the garrison cap. Seniors are the only class allowed to wear their bider without a break or fold in the top seam.

Unit awards

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The following major awards are given annually in connection with the Corps Awards Program:[45]

  • Lieutenant General Ormond R. Simpson Award for Most Outstanding Color Guard
  • United Services Automobile Association Award for Most Outstanding Major Unit Staff
  • Commandant's Award and Flag for University Activity
  • Robert M. Gates Public Service Award
  • J.J. Sanchez Award and Flag for Recruiting and Retention
  • George P. F. Jouine Award and Flag for Scholastic Achievement
  • Major General Bruno A. Hochmuth Award and Flag for Military Achievement
  • Taylor A. Gillespie Award and Flag for Most Improved Unit
  • President's Award and Flag for the Most Outstanding Major Unit
  • General George F. Moore Award, Plaque, and Flag for the Outstanding Unit

All awards are presented at the annually in the spring semester. Units awarded these honors are allowed to wear a citation cord and carry a flag to all events. At graduation, cadets may choose to wear any citation cord earned during their matriculation.

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Founded in 2006, after seven Second World War veterans did not receive a military burial, the honor guard is composed of juniors and seniors who fulfill these services in place of the armed forces.[35] Its motto is Veneratio Fortis which is Latin for "Honor the Brave."[36]
  2. ^ Consists of an African-American, Asian-American, Hispanic, Native American, LGBTQ+, and Religious cadet groups.
  3. ^ This special unit consists of a commanding officer, an executive officer, a first sergeant, a senior color sergeant and flagbearers/guards for Corps staff and every major unit except the Band.[citation needed] All color guards are made up exclusively of sophomores, with the exception of a junior who served as a color sergeant.
  4. ^ Cadets need to have a cumulative 3.4 GPA to join. Members foster new ideas of academic achievement, leadership and character in the Corps of Cadets and promotion of scholastic excellence through academic related projects which include tutor assistance and operation of a study lounge for all cadets.
  5. ^ This unit is designed to serve as a tool for recruiting, and to represent the corps at all recruiting and public functions.[37]

References

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  1. ^ "Maritime Academies | MARAD". www.marad.dot.gov. Retrieved 2015-10-16.
  2. ^ Federal Register :: Request Access, retrieved 2015-10-19
  3. ^ "Texas A&M Maritime Academy". www.tamug.edu. 2015-10-08. Retrieved 2015-10-19.
  4. ^ 10 U.S.C. §§ A–IIIChapter 103
  5. ^ a b Curley, Stephen (2005). Aggies by the Sea. College Station, Texas: Texas A&M University Press. pp. 23–26. ISBN 1-58544-458-8.
  6. ^ "Commencement". www.tamug.edu. 2015-08-31. Retrieved 2015-10-22.
  7. ^ "46 USC Subtitle V: Merchant Marine". uscode.house.gov. Retrieved 2015-10-23.
  8. ^ Texas Maritime Academy of Texas A&M University. Texas A&M University at Galveston. 1964. hdl:1969.3/28363.
  9. ^ Voyager 1971. Texas Maritime Academy. Regiment of Midshipmen. 1971. hdl:1969.3/28293.
  10. ^ "Rear Adm. James D. Craik Dies Ex-Coast Guard Leader Was 64". The New York Times. 15 October 1975.
  11. ^ Moody College of Marine Sciences and Maritime Resources. Texas A&M University at Galveston. 1976. hdl:1969.3/28367.
  12. ^ Texas A&M University at Galveston Catalog 1982-83. Texas A&M University at Galveston. 1982. hdl:1969.3/28373.
  13. ^ Texas A&M University at Galveston Catalog 87-88. Texas A&M University at Galveston. 1987. hdl:1969.3/28368.
  14. ^ Texas A&M University at Galveston Catalog 1988-89. Texas A&M University at Galveston. 1988. hdl:1969.3/28377.
  15. ^ Texas A&M University at Galveston Catalog 1989-90. Texas A&M University at Galveston. 1989. hdl:1969.3/28378.
  16. ^ Texas A&M University at Galveston Catalog 1996-97. Texas A&M University at Galveston. 1996. hdl:1969.3/28385.
  17. ^ Texas A&M University at Galveston Catalog 2000-01. Texas A&M University at Galveston. 2000. hdl:1969.3/28389.
  18. ^ Texas A&M University at Galveston 2005-2006 Catalog No. 128. Texas A&M University at Galveston. 3 August 2011. hdl:1969.3/28209.
  19. ^ Texas A&M University at Galveston 2007-2008 Catalog No. 129. Texas A&M University at Galveston. 3 August 2011. hdl:1969.3/28211.
  20. ^ Texas A&M University at Galveston 2010-2011 Catalog No. 133. Texas A&M University at Galveston. 3 August 2011. hdl:1969.3/28207.
  21. ^ "Rear Admiral Robert Smith III, USN (Ret.)". www.tamug.edu. 2015-10-20. Archived from the original on 2015-11-15. Retrieved 2015-10-23.
  22. ^ "Academy Administration". www.tamug.edu. 2017-02-06. Retrieved 2017-02-13.
  23. ^ "Col. Fossum's Duties Expand At Texas A&M-Galveston". Texas A&M Today. 2019-10-07. Retrieved 2019-11-08.
  24. ^ a b c "Midshipman Instructions Manual" (PDF). Texas A&M Maritime Academy. Office of the Commandant. September 16, 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 5, 2015. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  25. ^ Ivey, Darren (2017). The Ranger Ideal Volume 1: Texas Rangers in the Hall of Fame, 1823-1861. University of North Texas Press. p. 393. ISBN 978-1574417012.
  26. ^ a b Adams, John (2001). Keepers of the Spirit: The Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M University, 1876-2001. Texas A&M University Press. ISBN 1585441260.
  27. ^ "Fish Drill Team Celebrates 75th Anniversary". 13 May 2022.
  28. ^ "The Correspondent: Freshmen cadets find fun, friends through Fish Drill Team". 15 February 2023.
  29. ^ "Mardi Gras Drill Meet | Tulane NROTC".
  30. ^ "GALLERY: Texas A&M Fish Drill Team Performance". The Eagle. 16 April 2023.
  31. ^ "Treat of the Day: Fish Drill Team wins 1st place overall at Tulane Drill Meet". March 2023.
  32. ^ Daily Dose of Aggie History (December 11, 2016). "Dec. 11, 1992: A&M Fish Drill Team appears in 'A Few Good Men'". myAggieNation.com. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
  33. ^ "Hazing, Assault Charges Leave Black Mark on Texas A&M -- Drill Team Barred After 60-Count Indictment; Parents Say Behavior Isn't New | the Seattle Times".
  34. ^ "Juniors in the 60-member cavalry accused of hazing sophomores". Plainview Herald. 26 April 2003.
  35. ^ "AMC Guard - Public Profile - StuAct Online". stuactonline.tamu.edu. Retrieved 2022-06-18.
  36. ^ "Our History". AMC Honor Guard. Retrieved 2022-06-18.
  37. ^ "Major General T. G. Darling Recruiting Company - Public Profile - StuAct Online". stuactonline.tamu.edu. Retrieved 2022-06-18.
  38. ^ a b c d "Texas A&M Maritime Academy". www.tamug.edu. 2015-10-08. Retrieved 2015-10-19.
  39. ^ "FAQ". www.tamug.edu. 2015-09-22. Archived from the original on 2015-11-05. Retrieved 2015-11-04.
  40. ^ "About TMA". www.tamug.edu. 2015-09-22. Retrieved 2015-10-16.
  41. ^ "Maritime Academy Graduate (MARGRAD)". www.gocoastguard.com. Retrieved 2015-10-18.
  42. ^ "About TMA". www.tamug.edu. 2015-09-22. Retrieved 2015-10-19.
  43. ^ "Wearing the Uniform with the Pride of an Aggie..." Corps of Cadets. 2007-02-08. Archived from the original on 2007-01-28. Retrieved 2009-02-16.
  44. ^ Cite error: The named reference Std was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  45. ^ "Corps of Cadets" (PDF). student-rules.tamu.edu. Aug 14, 2015. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 30, 2020. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
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