Texas A and M University - Aggieland Yearbook (College Station, TX)

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Antics of ' Fish ' Promote Spirit Freshmen in the Corps of Cadets, or ' fish ' as they are notoriously known, are an extraordinary and closely knit group. They are the spirit of the school and they have the privilege of being the low men on the totem pole in the pecking order of the Corps. According to tradition, there is nothing lower than a ' fish, ' except maybe a ' frog, ' who is someone who gets into the Corps after the Bonfire of his freshman year. A ' fish ' cannot feel, know, think, want, or desire, and he may may not walk across grass, dirt, and parking lots. How does one spot a freshman? He is easily recogniza¬ ble by his shorter than usual haircut and his trimless biter. Also by his march-like walk, and his alertness to the pres¬ ence of upperclassmen. A ' fish ' may also be characterized by his very forward yet gung-ho attitude. This is evident in his loud ' howdy ' and the many antics he carried out to promote spirit. After a victory on the gridiron, freshmen have the duty of dump¬ ing the yell leaders in the ' fish ' pond. Other privileges and rights of freshmen include shining brass and shoes, push¬ ing off 77, and slicing the pie at supper. Another privilege that freshmen have is to compose the membership of one of the finest organizations at A M, the Fish Drill Team. It is the recipient of countless awards and travels around the country to compete in drill contests. The members are all freshmen and sacrifice study and recrea¬ tion time to practice their drills. All Aggies are proud of them, and they have proved to be one of the most popular organizations on campus. It would seem freshmen have it rough with studies and Corps duties, but to quote a member of the class of ' 77, I wouldn ' t have it any other way; if it was, the Corps wouldn ' t be the corps. 20 Student Life

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Sophomores Keep Freshmen on the Ball Just a little higher on the totem pole is the sophomore cadet. After one year as a ' fish sophomores want their ' fish ' to have the same amount of ' fun ' they had. Many sophomores get pleasure out of one of the oldest and finest traditions of the Corps and that is ' talking ' to a freshman. The main duty of the sophomores is to constantly cor¬ rect the freshmen in their outfit. Sophomores show the ' fish ' how to march, set up their rooms, and carry out other necessary measures of Corps life. With his one year ' s experience, a sophomore can hold responsible positions such as scholastic corporal, assistant squad leader or company clerk. The sophomore most often noticed at march-ins or reviews is the guidon bearer; he is always out in front with the outfit flag. Sophomores also serve in brigade and wing color guards. When the sophomores are with their outfits, they are distinguishaole from freshmen by the black trim on their biters and also by the corporal brass on their collars. But with their different uniforms and responsibilities, the sophomores still can get a ' talking to ' by juniors or sen¬ iors and shine their shoes. Besides watching their attitudes before upperclass¬ men, the sophomores look out for freshmen, too. ' Fish ' often ransack a sophomore ' s room or carry him out of town in a mattress sack. Tradition, spirit, and Aggie life are carried on by the centennial class, or seniors of 76, who look forward to their senior year and are wary of vengeful freshmen. 22 Student Life $