When I was a senior in high school, I was accepted to Texas A&M. I had been to the campus twice–once on a bus with an Aggie club to a football game and once with my mom (her first time) for a visit before I made the decision to go to A&M. I told myself I wouldn’t be one of “those Aggies” when I got there (“those people” who choose such an uninvolved path are lovingly known as two-percenters).
One conversation with my brother, and I was done. Done. Done. It was silly to spend that kind of money on a teaching degree, he said. Everyone takes the same test at the end. I was sold. Off I went to Texas A&M University-Kingsville instead. I was eligible for a full-ride, but I waited too long & missed the deadline. I was able to secure plenty of scholarships, though, and I paid my way through school (tuition, anyway) with scholarships.
Mr. Gray’s family is pretty into A&M, so when I graduated from TAMUK, we headed to A&M (where he had always intended to be anyway). I decided to get my MS while we were there, and I also managed to become one of “those Aggies” who is die-hard, bleeds maroon, stands the whole football game, honors God & country, and all else that goes into being an Aggie. I do wear my Aggie Ring upside down, though.
Every year at Muster, I am reminded of how grateful I am to be an Aggie. Wow. What an amazing thing to be a part of. Muster (among other things) makes Texas A&M stand apart from every other school in the nation. Campus Muster is an experience every Aggie should have at least once. The local Muster ceremonies all have their own flavor, and our hometown Muster is no exception. There is an Old Ag who knows The Last Corps Trip by heart and recites it beautifully. I loved it.
Call it a cult, a brainwashing, whatever you like, but it’s a great institution, rich in tradition. I’m glad I turned into one of “those Aggies.”
The Last Corps Trip
It was Judgment Day in Aggieland
And tenseness filled the air;
All knew there was a trip at hand,
But not a soul knew where.
Assembled on the drill field
Was the world-renowned Twelfth Man,
The entire fighting Aggie team
And the famous Aggie Band.
And out in front with Royal Guard
The reviewing party stood;
St. Peter and his angel staff
Were choosing bad from good.
First he surveyed the Aggie team
And in terms of an angel swore,
“By Jove, I do believe I’ve seen
This gallant group before.
I’ve seen them play since way back when,
And they’ve always had the grit;
I’ve seen ’em lose and I’ve seen ’em win
But I’ve never seen ’em quit.
No need for us to tarry here
Deciding upon their fates;
Tis plain as the halo on my head
That they’ve opened Heaven’s gates.”
And when the Twelfth Man heard this,
They let out a mighty yell
That echoed clear to Heaven
And shook the gates of Hell.
“And what group is this upon the side,”
St. Peter asked his aide,
“That swelled as if to burst with pride
When we our judgment made?”
“Why, sir, that’s the Cadet Corps
That’s known both far and wide
For backing up their fighting team
Whether they won lost or tied.”
“Well, then,” said St. Peter,
“It’s very plain to me
That within the realms of Heaven
They should spend eternity.
And have the Texas Aggie Band
At once commence to play
For their fates too we must decide
Upon this crucial day.”
And the drum major so hearing
Slowly raised his hand
And said, “Boys, let’s play The Spirit
For the last time in Aggieland.”
And the band poured forth the anthem,
In notes both bright and clear
And ten thousand Aggie voices
Sang the song they hold so dear.
And when the band had finished,
St. Peter wiped his eyes
And said, “It’s not so hard to see
They’re meant for Paradise.”
And the colonel of the Cadet Corps said
As he stiffly took his stand,
“It’s just another Corps Trip, boys,
We’ll march in behind the band.”
! I love them! Usually when he gets a runny nose, he gets it in conjunction with gooey eyes. With the mild saline, I can wipe his eyes and his nose without burning, stinging, or irritating his eyes or skin! 
