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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 23, 1972)
Guest comment Working out civilian, Corps polarization Since it is far too long to be run as the letter it was intended to be, we have decided to run this as a guest commentary. We cannot say that we agree with everything in this. We do know, however, that there are far more valid points that should be heard than there are those we disagree with. —Ed. During the past four years as a student and as a member of the Corps of Cadets, I have seen this University undergo many changes. Yet, I can see the neces sity of further changes. I hope that I am not considered a paranoid reactionary when I say that the Corps has been the ob ject of much criticism, some war ranted, some not. I am sure that everyone realizes that the Corps is in a period of transition and is being radically restructured. Leadership by example is grow ing. Physical hazing as a form of discipline is almost completely arrested. The Corps has worked hard to improve study conditions and study habits among the Ca dets. Acceptance of civilian and female students, though not com plete, has become almost common place. These changes are due in a large part to a conscientious attempt to change the image of the Corps from a straight-laced, military organization to a group of young men who are interested in scholastics, athletics, world events, and campus activities. We happen to wear uniforms and many plan to serve as officers in our Armed Forces. But even a passing, uninterest ed observer can easily note the polarization of our student body. The factions are the Corps and the civilians; the sounding-board for discontent has been the “Listen up” column of The Bat talion. One side will object to the actions of the other. The other side will counter-object, etc., etc. The rest is history. The retorts of some members of the Corps have been violent (and oft times, irrational). But why does the Corps react so much more strong-, ly than the civilians at times? The Corps is basically a self- perpetuating organization. I do CADET SLOUCH by Jim Earle not feel that this Corps reaction is based on support of tradition for tradition’s sake alone. On the surface this may seem the only explanation. But there are an- others. Since the Corps is self-perpetu ating, we must enlist members. Students join the Corps whereas civilians simply become members of the civilian population of this campus. Faced with this problem, criticism hits us where it hurts the most: manpower. Knowledge of such criticism deters many from joining and causes others to leave. This is not to say that we are above criticism. We wel come criticism from within and without. But criticism beyond a certain point becomes provoking and belittling. Many Cadets feel that this “belittling” criticism is an attempt (organized or not) to undermine membership and there by possibly destroy the Corps. The repeated attacks only go to strengthen this opinion and calls for defense of Corps traditions and policies. We realize that there are sincere anti-military feelings on campus with which we must contend. But if the Corps cannot maintain the necessary levels of manpower, the Corps will be al tered in structure and could pos sibly be abolished. In the eyes of many, the Corps is fighting for its very existence. This might explain why the Corps often re acts so strongly. But it is time that this fight come to an end. Each of us, Corps and civilian, must accept certain realities. The civilian must accept some things about the Corps. Regard less of their feelings about the military, the R.O.T.C. Program and therefore, the Corps of Ca dets at A&M must continue to exist. It is necessary for our na tional defense, especially in the light of the emphasis placed on an elite, “all-volunteer” Army. Civilians should accept the fact that the Corps will continue to fight for such good traditions as Silver Taps, Muster, support of athletic teams, etc. These are Aggie traditions. Although we are in no position to demand it, the Corps would very much like to Bulletin Board “I’ve won a free trip to Miami that pays for every thing except travel and room and board!” Tonight Judo Club will meet at 5 in the judo room of G. Rollie White Coliseum. Schweitzer, Free University, will meet at 8 in room 108 of Nagle. Thursday Motorcycle Club will meet at 7:30 in the Memorial Student Center. AARGH! ... John R. Moffitt ( euNHies ?) rt . /p-l \K Cbe Battalion Opinions expressed in The Battalion are those of the student writers only. The Battalion is a non-tax- supported, non-profit, self-supporting educational enter prise edited and operated by students as a university and community newspaper. The Battalion, a student newspaper at Texas A&M, is published in College Station, Texas, daily except Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and holiday periods, September through May, and once a week during summer school. LETTERS POLICY Letters to the editor must be typed, double-spaced, and no more than 300 words in length. They must be signed, although the writer’s name will be withheld by arrangement with the editor. Address correspondence to Listen Up, The Battalion, Room 217, Services Building, College Station, Texas 77843. MEMBER The Associated Press, Texas Press Association The Associated Collegiate Press Mail subscriptions are §3.50 year; $6.50 p< sales tax. Advertisin itions are §3.50 per full year. All subscriptions subjei semester; $6 per school ubject to 5% The Battalion, Room Texas 77843. g rate furnished on request. Address: 217, Services Building, College Station, Members of the Student Publications Board are: Lindsey, eh* ' ” ” Tr ' J ’— ' T !1 1 F. S. White College of Veterinary h of Agriculture; and Layne Kruse, student. origin published herein, herein ar Second-Class postage ic use for t or not paper and local news of spontaneous Rights of republication of all other matter herein are also reserved. paid at College Station, Texas. Represented nationally by National Educational Advertising Services, Inc., New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco. EDITOR HAYDEN WHITSETT Managing Editor Doug Dilley News Editor Sue Davis Sports Editor John Curylo Assistant Sports Editor Bill Henry A JLLEN OUR SPECIALTY Oldsmobile 1/5 Carat Cadillac Eye Clean Diamond SALES - SERVICE For Senior Ring, “Where satisfaction is $40 plus tax standard equipment” C. W. Varner & Sons 2401 Texas Ave. Jewelers 823-8002 North Gate 846-5816 AGGIE PLAQUES Plaster Accessaries Finished - Unfinished Working Area Free Instructions GIFT - A - KAMA Redmond Terrace College Station preserve some traditions for the Corps alone such as Elephant Walk, Boot Line, and Corps trips. Likewise, the Corps of Cadets must also face up to the facts. The Corps will never again main tain a majority on this campus. Therefore, we must work with the civilians in order that they understand our needs and desires and vice versa. We can only hope that the civilian student body will continue to be mature enough to respect our rights and desires as a minority on this campus. The Corps must also keep working for and be willing to accept con structive change within our or ganization if we expect to sur vive and grow. The Corps and civilian students will always be two very distinct groups. Therefore, “unity,” in the truest sense of the word, is im possible—now or in the future. But we can work for a common, desirable goal: cooperation. If these two distinct groups can cooperate and quit this constant childish bickering between them selves, we, the students of Texas A&M, can maintain our position, as the greatest student body any where. In 20 years, I would like to be able to say that our classes did more to promote harmony and coordination within our student body than any other class in this school’s history. I would like this to be my personal legacy to Texas A&M University. Stephen L. 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