A New Generation of Leaders: 157 Cadets Commissioned into the U.S. Armed Forces from Texas A&M
The Texas heat shimmered off the polished boots of 157 young men and women standing at attention under the vast blue sky of Kyle Field. It was more than a commencement ceremony—it was a defining moment of honor, patriotism, and destiny. As the afternoon sun cast golden light across the iconic stadium, each cadet of the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets prepared to take an oath that would shape their future and defend the nation.
The Texas A&M Corps of Cadets, steeped in over a century of military tradition, had once again fulfilled its enduring legacy: producing leaders of character for the United States Armed Forces. With family members wiping tears from their eyes and the familiar notes of the Aggie War Hymn playing softly in the background, the cadets stood tall, exemplifying discipline, commitment, and courage.
University President Mark Welsh, himself a former U.S. Air Force general, addressed the crowd with measured pride. “Today, you do not merely graduate. You are commissioning into a brotherhood and sisterhood that spans continents and centuries. You are now protectors of the Constitution and stewards of freedom.”
Then, with commanding precision, the cadets raised their right hands and took the Oath of Office—a solemn vow to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. The moment was electric. In a single breath, these graduates became officers: second lieutenants in the U.S. Army, Air Force, Marines, and Space Force, as well as ensigns in the U.S. Navy.
Among them was Cadet First Captain Jenna Morales, the highest-ranking cadet in the Corps this year, who will be joining the U.S. Marine Corps. “This isn’t just a career choice,” she said afterward, her eyes locked forward with purpose. “It’s a calling. The Corps has prepared us for the fight—not just the physical one, but the fight for integrity, for service, for what’s right.”
For some, like Cadet Darius Thompson, an engineering major commissioning into the Air Force, it marked the fulfillment of a dream shaped in childhood. “I used to watch jets fly over during football games,” he recalled. “Now I’m going to fly them.”
Families stood and applauded as each new officer was pinned with the rank insignia by loved ones—an emotional tradition that bridges generations of service. Cheers, salutes, and embraces filled the afternoon air.
This commissioning is more than just a symbolic gesture—it is a testament to Texas A&M’s continued role as one of the nation’s premier commissioning sources, second only to the service academies. These young leaders are now on the front lines of global readiness, stepping into roles that will take them from Texas to distant corners of the world.
As the American flag waved behind them and the sun began to dip toward the horizon, one truth stood undeniable: the Corps of Cadets had once again delivered on its promise—157 strong, brave, and ready to serve.
