Commandant To Reward Cadet With Senior Boots For Protecting Reveille

A good deed may be its own reward, as the saying goes, but Texas A&M University Cadet Ryan Kreider will be getting much more for his good deed Saturday.  He became an instant hero to Aggies everywhere when protecting the university’s beloved mascot, Reveille, from an on-coming SMU football player who was pushed toward her sideline resting spot. The action was caught on national television — and even warranted an instant replay.

The sophomore sports management major from College Station, who serves as handler for the 8-year-old Collie mascot, said he didn’t think too much about it at the time, adding that it “was just my job.” The replay of the event is available here.

Brig. Gen. Joe E. Ramirez Jr., commandant of the 2,450-member Corps of Cadets, thought Kreider’s action merited special acknowledgement — and he reacted by announcing he would personally pay for Cadet Kreider’s senior boots — a coveted privilege of seniors in the Corps. The only downside: Kreider will have to wait two years to wear the distinctive riding boots.

Seeing SMU receiver De’rikk Thompson barreling towards Reveille VIII, Kreider threw out his right arm to cover her and lowered his right shoulder into Thompson to keep the receiver from trampling her.

Kreider said Reveille was unfazed by the whole event, put her head down and went to sleep.

Selfless service is one of the university’s core values, but Gen. Ramirez didn’t want to let the service go unrecognized.  Following the event, Ramirez announced in a Facebook post that he would pay for the senior boots for Kreider. (https://www.facebook.com/tamucommandant)

“Cadet Ryan Kreider made ALL Aggies VERY proud today! What a selfless way for a cadet to take care of our beloved mascot, Miss Reveille. As a result, the Commandant is going to buy Ryan’s Senior Boots,” Ramirez said in his post. “I am so proud of what he did, that I’m willing to do something a little more ‘substantial’ to show the appreciation of ALL Aggies for his selfless act. Ryan, thanks for being such a superb example of what being a member of the Corps of Cadets and being an Aggie is all about! Your senior boots are now compliments of the Commandant! Well done, Ryan!”

For members of the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M, senior boots are something to look forward to wearing at Final Review at the end of their junior year. The making of boots dates back to 1914 when the corps changed from the West Point style uniforms to the national cadet wardrobe. In 1925, the English style of boot became the traditional senior boot seen today. The approximate cost for a pair of boots is $1,600.

Kreider said he was just doing his job and didn’t expect anything in return.

“That was a really astonishing statement,” Kreider said. “I couldn’t believe he was going to buy my boots because I thought I was just doing my job. I didn’t think it was going to blow up like it did.”

The social media response after the event was almost immediate and positive with Aggies everywhere commenting on Kreider’s service and the great job he did in protecting the mascot. As the video is replayed, the comments continue to express how proud Aggies everywhere are of Krieder.