March to the Brazos

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March to the Brazos is an annual event during the spring semester, usually in April but the actual day varies. The cadets conduct a road march starting from the Quadrangle through main and west campuses to Texas A&M's Animal Science Teaching, Research & Extension Complex (ASTREC) near the east bank of the Brazos River, a 14 mile round trip. After the first leg of the march, cadets participate in various competitions (tug-of-war, relay races, etc.), eat lunch, and un-officially transfer ranks for the following school year. The day will conclude with the march back under the leadership of the next Class, while the Class of the current year will ride buses back to campus.^[1]

[edit] History

On April 1, 1908 the cadets of Texas A&M College went on strike and did not attend classes on that day. This action, along with other April Fool’s Day pranks, was becoming a little too regular occurrence for the Commandant. The next year the Commandant issued General Order No. 27 and began what became to be know as the “Hike to the Brazos” and eventually the “March to the Brazos.” The hike originated in 1909 and was held March 31 through April 1 to keep the cadets from playing April Fool’s jokes on each other and their instructors. This tradition was held annually until 1912 at which point it was discontinued.

March to the Brazos was revived in 1977 when cadet leadership saw the natural tie between March to the Brazos and the March of Dimes. This special partnership was seen as a way to build Corps spirit and also benefit a very worthwhile charity.^[2]

[edit] Charity Work

Each school year the Corps raises money through door-to-door collections (residents and businesses), Fill-the-Boot (senior cadet boot) collections at local businesses, and donations from friends and family members (locally and in their hometowns). Additional efforts include doing a mail out to cadet referrals, involving former students, and engaging corporate sponsors.^[3] During the 28 years from 1977 to 2004, the Corps has raised over $1.5 million for the March of Dimes, whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality. In 2005, cadets raised just over $142, 041.37. ^[1]