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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 19, 1965)
THE BATTALION Thursday, August 19, 1965 College Station, Texas Page 3 JIN Famed Cadet Corps Faces Future The world-famed Texas A&M Corps of Cadets—non-compulsory this year for the first time in seven years—is looking ahead to continued success after a long tradition of greatness. “Texas A&M is writing its own military history in the blood of its graduates. No name stands out more brilliantly than the heroic defender of Corregidor, General George F. Moore. When ever I see a Texas A&M man in my command, I have a feeling of confidence.” No other statement such as the above by the late Gen. Doug las MacArthur can better exem plify the high regard held for the A&M Corps. To preserve and enrich such a rich heritage Col. Denzil L. Baker, commandant of the Corps of Ca dets since August 1, 1963, is striving to continually improve the Corps. Col. Baker, a 1933 A&M grad uate, is a highly-decorated vet eran of World War II and the Korean Conflict. He came to A&M in July of 1963 from the Pentagon where he was chief of the special Review Division of the Office of Army Personnel. In June, 1963, The Board of Directors adopted a recommenda tion by President Rudder, to con solidate the duties of comman dant with those of a regular of ficer and eliminate the staff of civilian tactical officers. A&M is the largest single source of reserve officers in the nation and its highly qualified students are eligible for regular commissions the equal of those offered by West Point and the Air Force Academy. The A&M Board of Directors made Corps membership volun tary on April 24. Baker said at the time that success of the new program rests on the shoulders of the cadets themselves. In a written statement to the Board Baker declared: “I believe that a decision to change to a voluntary Corps will result in the following: “1. No major change in the attitude of the cadets toward discipline, good bull and hazing. I also doubt that the problems in making the Corps into an elite outfit will be much less than they are today. The key to making the Corps into an elite outfit is to convince the cadets that cadet rank has precedence over class privilege and attainment of this goal will not come quickly. “2. Less complaints from freshmen, sophomores and par ents about Corps life. Therefore, military advisors and cadet com manders will be required to de vote less time to checking out and handling such complaints. “3. A happier Corps, provided the strength of the Corps does not initially decrease more than 25 to 30 percent.” After the Board's decision last spring, A&M President Earl Rud der addressed the freshman, soph omore and junior members of the Corps and emphasized that he will strive to assure an elite voluntary Corps. “Without hesitation I am for the Corps of Cadets and I will do all in my power to see it strengthened and preserved,” Rudder said. Rudder praised the Corps for accepting changing trends and stressed that it must remain wil ling to accept future changes deemed necessary. “Throughout the history of the Corps there have been changes in uniforms, policies and tradi tions, and the Corps has always survived and been improved for the most part. Change is normal and the Corps must be flexible enough to take change in stride. We must be ready to adapt with the needs of the hour,” he con tinued. He explained that changing military policies of the Defense Department, the absence of in creased freshman enrollment an nually and concern of the faculty and former students contributed to the Board’s decision to abolish compulsory military training. PRESENTATION OF ARMS AT REVIEW Officers and colors present arms at one of the reviews held during the seniors march across the drill field for the last time to review their year. The entire Corps of Cadets passes in review at these events, which successors. Besides reviews, the Corps participates in parades in several are among A&M’s most colorful ceremonies. Final review is held the large cities each year on Corps Trips, weekend before final examinations are given and it is here that the MSC A Center Of Activity The Memorial Student Center, the “living room of the campus,” is in the midst of its sixteenth year of service to Texas A&M. Dedicated to former students of A&M who gave their lives in both world wars and in Korea, the MSC was completed in 1950. Initial funds for the $2.5 million structure were provided by the Association of Former Students of A&M. Additional monies came from the permanent University Development Fund. As a memorial many tradi tions surround the MSC. Men remove their hats in the build ing, and the lawn areas are not crossed by students. An inscription at the main entrance reads: “Greater love hath no man than this, to lay down his life for a friend.”— John 15:13. Beneath the in scription is a long list of Aggies who paid the supreme sacrifice of their country. The MSC serves numerous needs of students, faculty-staff members and guests. It has rooms for overnight guests, a cafeteria, lounging areas, con ference and convention facilities. a browsing library, and special rooms for listening to music. Recreation facilities are plenti ful in the MSC, with bowling lanes, billiards and table tennis rooms, a special music room, and television rooms. The 150,000 square foot air- conditioned building also houses offices of the Association of Former Students, a United States Post Office, and adminis trative offices. A popular area of the MSC is the Fountain Room, a snack bar where students gather for coffee and fellowship. The Metzger Gun Collection, one of the outstanding antique gun collections on display in America, is a permanent ex hibit in the MSC. Paintings, books, photographs and other exhibits are displayed in special compartments in the east foyer. A check-cashing service for students and patrons is con trolled at the main desk in the lobby. Braley’s Travel Service also has an office in the lobby. Another important service is located in the basement. It’s the MSC Barber Shop. Main tenance shops and offices, and storage areas are in the base ment as well. A number of clubs dealing with a wide range of activities is sponsored by the MSC. Guion Hall Source Of Entertainment Entering freshmen will find Guion Hall not only a place where meetings are held during New Student Week, but also a main source of enjoyment and relaxation here on the campus. Located between the Memorial Student Center and the Military Science Building, the theater, with a seating capacity of 1,925, is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday for the convenience of students. Tickets are only 40 cents as the theater is not set up to operate for a profit. THE FILMS shown are the newest available and of the va riety desired most by the stu dents. The only drawback is that the films may not be shown here for at least 30 days after they have been in Bryan or Col lege Station movie houses. Built in 1917 and put into use in 1919, Guion Hall was original ly used only for meetings, speeches and plays, Not until 1941 was it converted to a the ater for the students. Previous to World War II, pictures were shown on Wed nesday and Saturday nights in the old Assembly Hall. This was located on the site now oc- supied by the All-Faiths Chapel. In 1941 all the equipment and facilities were moved to Guion and started operation on a daily basis. REMODELING has been re cently completed which included the repairing and sand-blasting of the outside of the building and the remodeling and complete ad dition of a new men’s rest room. Wide screen viewing, stero- phonic sound and the use of new projectors make the theater compare to most movie houses. There is also a concession stand. Any profit from the opera tion of Guion Hall goes into new equipment, improving the pre sent facilities and back to the student in the form of enter tainment. Guion Hall is still used for various other presentations. The Aggie Players, a group consist ing of students and local ama teur actors, usually presents about three plays each semester in the theater. THE BUILDING is often used for speeches and programs pro vided by the Great Issues Com mittee and the Town Hall Series. CUSTOM BOOT MAKERS BOOT & SHOE REPAIRING LEATHER GOODS GIFT ITEMS Justin Boots Portage & Porto-Ped Shoes For Men WESTERN BOOTS Made-to-Order Makers of The Famous TEXAS AGGIE SENIOR BOOTS MoLL \ 3, A&M Since 1891 North Gate nc. 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