Corps Of Cadets Will Hold Final Review On May 9

The Texas A&M Corps of Cadets will hold Final Review on Saturday, May 9, on O.R. Simpson Drill Field, just north of the Memorial Student Center.

The Corps will step-off from the Quad at 9:00 a.m., and will proceed to O.R. Simpson Drill Field, where they will form up for the annual Final Review ceremony, a process that includes a formal Pass in Review by the entire Corps of Cadets. The first Pass in Review ceremony is expected to begin at 9:30 am.

After the Corps completes the first Pass in Review, the cadets march back to the Quad, where they prepare for a second Pass in Review. The second Pass in Review is conducted with only next year’s new seniors, juniors, and sophomores – the only time the Corps marches without freshmen. It is also the new seniors’ first public appearance in their new senior boots and new roles as the leaders of the Corps of Cadets.

At approximately 11 a.m., the leadership of the 2015 – 2016 Corps of Cadets will step-off from the Quad and again proceed to O.R. Simpson Drill Field. The second Pass in Review ceremony is expected to begin at 11:30 a.m. These new leaders will reaffirm their duties and responsibilities as members of the Corps of Cadets by reciting the Cadet Oath again, then will conduct a second Pass in Review, with the graduating seniors acting as the Reviewing Officers.

A special aspect of this year’s Final Review is that Reveille VIII will make her last appearance as the university’s mascot and will retire after the first Pass in Review. During the second Pass in Review, Reveille IX will officially participate with Company E-2 as the university’s new mascot.

Final Review is open to the public and is expected to conclude by noon.

Seating is very limited on Simpson Drill Field, as is parking on campus, so those who are planning to attend are encouraged to arrive early. Parking is available in Koldus Garage across from Rudder Tower, but again, arrive early to avoid long lines of vehicles trying to park just prior to step-off. Attendees are also encouraged to bring their own chairs, umbrellas, and refreshments. We will have limited bleacher seating available, and will also have seating available on the Reviewing Stand for the elderly and those who are handicapped and needing special assistance, but we highly recommend that attendees bring their own chairs, umbrellas and refreshments.

An important note that in the event of rain, Final Review will STILL be conducted as planned. In the event of lightning and thunder at the time of step-off, however, Final Review will be cancelled to avoid risk of injury to cadets or spectators. If the storm is just a passing one, we will delay the start of Final Review, but if its persistent, we will cancel Final Review. Check Corps social media sites for the latest updates.

The schedule for Final Reviews is as follows:

• 9:00 AM – Corps Steps Off from Quad
• 9:30 AM – First Review (2014-2015 Corps of Cadets)
• 10:15 AM – Conclude 1st Review
• 11:00 AM – Corps Forms and Steps-Off from the Quad
• 11:30 AM – Corps Forms on Simpson Drill Field, Cadets Reaffirm Cadet Oath
• 11:30 AM – Second Review (2015-2016 Corps of Cadets)
• 12:00 PM – Conclusion