First Woman Corps Commander

For the first time in Texas A&M’s 139-year history, a woman will lead the university’s legendary Corps of Cadets. Alyssa Marie Michalke of Schulenburg, Texas, will take command of the 2,400-plus member unit, the largest of its type in the nation except for the service academies, at the conclusion of the spring semester and serve throughout the 2015-16 school year.

Michalke was selected following interviews with a board consisting of the senior key leadership of the Cadets Corps, and members of the Commandant’s staff and ROTCs, including the Commandant of the Corps, Brig. Gen. Joe Ramirez, Jr. (U.S. Army-Ret), with the final approval made by Interim University President Mark Hussey.

“Alyssa Michalke is an exceptional young woman who has clearly demonstrated her leadership abilities throughout her three years in the Corps, most notably as the Corps Sergeant Major this year, the highest ranking junior position in the Corps. She was the perfect choice for Corps Commander for next year,” said Gen. Ramirez, a member of Texas A&M’s Class of 1979 and himself a former cadet.

“It is certainly a notable distinction for Alyssa to be the first female ever selected as Corps Commander in the 139-year history of the Corps of Cadets, but Alyssa was selected because she was the best cadet for the position, not because she is female,” the Commandant stated. “The Corps of Cadets has had many females in key leadership positions throughout the years, but Alyssa is the first to be selected as Corps Commander – the highest ranking position in the Corps – and she earned it. We are all very proud of her and look forward to watching her continue to grow and develop as a leader as the Commander of the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets next year.”

Read more at today.tamu.edu.