There’s only one place in the United States where over 2,000 uniformed cadets attend classes with 57,000 civilian undergrads every day:
Texas A&M University.
And most Aggies know a bit about Corps of Cadets uniforms: Seniors wear boots, Ross Volunteers wear white. But there’s a great deal more information being conveyed, if you know what to look for!
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Types of Corps uniforms Most commonly seen around campus
Class A (Alphas)
For formal events. “Green” dress blouse (military term for the outer coat/jacket) over poplin shirt; black necktie; “pink” trousers, boot pants or skirt. Essentially a classic U.S. Army officer’s winter uniform that World War II soldiers nicknamed “pinks-and-greens” because of the slight pink or red hue to the original taupe gray pants that went with the olive-drab (aka dull green) blouse. Though the Army adopted new uniforms in 1954, Texas A&M never phased this one out — and the Army revived it in 2018.
Class B (Bravos)
Standard uniform. Short-sleeve gabardine shirt with (for summer) gabardine trousers, boot pants or skirt, or (for winter) “pink” trousers, boot pants or skirt. Gabardine is a wool twill fabric that resists wrinkles. The Corps switches between winter and summer uniforms when Daylight Saving Time springs forward and falls back.
Class C (Charlies)
For field training, inclement weather and “wet” lab classes (involving chemicals, biological matter, etc.). Blouse and trousers are OCP (operational camouflage pattern). “Charlies,” like “alphas” and “bravos,” comes from the international radio alphabet, in which “alpha, bravo, Charlie” are used for “A, B, C” to ensure clarity when transmitting. Here, the letters are used to indicate degrees of formality in the uniforms. An older work uniform seen in Texas A&M historical photos is the white “Aggie coveralls” with varying Texas A&M logos embroidered on the back, worn 1930s–50s.
Midnights
For special occasions and civilian casual events; currently authorized for juniors and seniors only. Long-sleeve dark olive drab shirt; khaki necktie in Windsor or overhand knot, tucked between second and third shirt buttons; and “pink” trousers, boot pants or skirt. The nickname “midnights” probably derives from the period (1943-64) when this uniform included matching dark pants and cap for juniors, according to James C. Griffin III ’71, author of the 2025 book Pressed, Clean, and Properly Fitted on the history of Corps uniforms.
Two other A&M uniform types you may see
Class AA
Optional formal uniform equivalent to civilian tuxedo or gown. “Green” dress blouse; white dress shirt; black bowtie; “pink” trousers, boot pants or skirt.
Cs AND Ts
“Charlies and tees” (Class C trousers and T-shirts — either the outfit’s T-shirts or the Corps physical training shirt) are worn for some physical training and are also worn to Midnight Yell Practice by juniors.
From Fish (Freshman) To Zip (Senior)
Here’s how to identify a freshman, sophomore, junior and senior in the Corps at a glance.
In their most frequently-worn uniform (Class Bs or bravos), look at the belt and the cap, aka “garrison cap,” for which the Aggie term is “bider.”
If you see a tan belt, that signifies a member of Delta Company, a Corps unit composed entirely of military veterans.
Freshman
Brown belt, no contrasting binding on cap (that is, the cap appears as solid khaki).
Sophomore
Brown belt, black binding on cap.
Junior
White belt, white binding on cap.
Senior
You’ll probably see their senior boots first, but they also wear a white belt and have black-and-gold braid on the garrison cap.
(The zipper-like appearance of the black-and-gold braid gave rise to the nickname “zips” for seniors.)
Special thanks to the Corps
The Texas A&M Corps of Cadets is renowned globally for its distinctive look and rich tradition of cultivating leaders for both Texas and the nation. The Corps provided support for this enhanced online presentation of this guide to the entire Aggie Network and beyond.
A little ‘Old Army’ history
In Texas A&M’s 1925 yearbook, Company F Infantry illustrates that Aggies were now wearing uniforms similar to active-duty Army — including tall leather riding boots, which were not yet approved for all seniors, and leg wrappings, which were a precursor to the boots.
Texas A&M began as an all-male, all-military school in 1876, and its Corps of Cadets was structurally organized along similar lines to the U.S. Army. Varied cadet uniforms were worn until the World War I era, when Texas A&M uniforms began to more closely resemble those current in the Army.
After World War II, although the Air Force launched blue uniforms and the Army changed to green uniforms, Texas A&M stuck with the World War II-era Army look for its cadets. That has remained largely the same, even though Texas A&M cadets can now commission into all six service branches: Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Navy and Space Force.
Since the 1960s, when Texas A&M began allowing students to enroll without joining the Corps and began admitting women and Black students, the university has grown into one of the nation’s largest.
Collar Brass & Rank
Most cadets you see will be wearing their rank insignia on their right collar and either Corps brass or the band lyre on their left collar. The exception is freshmen, who wear an “A.M.U.” on the right in place of rank and a second “A.M.U.” on the left until they earn their Corps brass or band lyre during the fall semester.
Seniors are ranked as cadet officers; juniors as cadet senior non-commissioned officers; and sophomores as cadet private first class, cadet corporal or cadet sergeant. All freshmen hold the rank of cadet private.
Chevrons
If you see a chevron (inverted V-shape), you’re looking at a sophomore or junior. Ranks range from private first class (a single chevron) to command sergeant major (worn by only one cadet, the Corps sergeant major: three chevrons at top, three rockers below the chevrons, and a star surrounded by a wreath in the center).
Moons
Worn by seniors. One moon indicates a second lieutenant; two moons mark a first lieutenant; three moons signify a captain.
Diamonds
Worn by higher-ranking seniors, from major (one diamond) and lieutenant colonel (two diamonds) to colonel (three diamonds) and finally, four diamonds for the Corps commander, whose rank is officially cadet colonel of the Corps.
See also the “Reveille” section for the five diamonds worn by Texas A&M’s mascot.
Chest Candy
This informal military term encompasses a range of pins, ribbons and other insignia. They can show membership in organizations, awards, contracts and more.
Ribbons are placed in order of importance from top left to bottom right.
If the cadet has more than three ribbons, they are placed on a holding bar called a “ribbon rack.”
These six ribbons signify:
- Distinguished Student Award: The cadet earned a 3.25 GPR or higher in a semester while taking 12 hours or more.
- Career Readiness: The cadet has completed 100 or more career readiness points in one year through activities such as attending speaker events through the Hollingsworth Center for Ethical Leadership or professional development activities coordinated by their unit.
- Outstanding, Scholastic or Best Drilled Freshman or Sophomore in the Outfit Award: The cadet has received one of these honors within their outfit as determined by outfit leadership.
- Professional Society: The cadet is part of a nationally or university-recognized professional society.
- Concert Band: The cadet is a member of one of the University Bands (Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Symphonic Winds, Wind Symphony or Jazz Band).
- Fish Band: A cadet in the Aggie Band receives this after completing their freshman year in the band. It is given in recognition of the hours spent perfecting precision drills and executing them during their freshman fall semester.
Medals are the “dress” version of ribbons
If you would wear the ribbon on your Class B uniform, and it has a corresponding medal, you would wear that medal (attached to a ribbon “drape”) on your Class A or Class AA uniform, and sometimes when authorized on midnights.
Distinguished Student
Denotes a grade point ratio of 3.25 or higher
Best-Drilled Sophomore
At the Corps level or major unit level, based on factors including appearance and precision in drill
Outstanding Freshman
At the minor unit level or outfit level, as selected by the unit’s leadership
Pins can denote achievements, memberships or positions
Corps Athletics block T
The cadet is on a Corps athletic team; these include sports such as triathlon, soccer and basketball.
Danger 79er
Named after Lt. Gen. James F. Hollingsworth ’40, whose radio call sign was “Danger 79er,” this pin can be worn by seniors in the final stages of earning the Hollingsworth Certificate in Applied Ethical Leadership.
Chaplain
Cadets can serve as chaplains for their units, and one cadet each year serves as Corps chaplain, promoting morale and unity and leading Corps prayers at events and meals.
Gold Star
Superior academic performance — a 4.0 GPR with a minimum of 12 hours last semester.
Silver Star
Outstanding academic performance — a 3.5 GPR with a minimum of 12 hours last semester.
What holds all the brass and ‘chest candy’ in place?
Small clutch pin backs (‘dammits’) like these. Why has the military nicknamed them ‘dammits’? Pinch, drop and lose a few dozen of them and you’ll get the idea.
Sleeve Patches
Generally, cadets wear a Texas A&M patch on each sleeve when they join the Corps.
If the cadet gets an ROTC scholarship or a commission contract, they exchange the left-sleeve patch for one that indicates their branch of service (military science, naval science, aerospace studies or Coast Guard). Some veterans with Delta Company wear the patches of their previous military units.
Major Unit Insignia
On the epaulets (strips of fabric atop the shoulders) of their shirts, cadets wear the emblems of their major unit within the Corps.
First Wing (Air Force ROTC)
First Regiment (Naval ROTC)
First Brigade (Army ROTC)
Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band
Shoulder Cords
Like ribbons, there are many; some signify membership in a special unit, an award won by a unit, or individual command positions.
Fish Drill Team
Maroon and white braid. Once earned, it’s worn throughout the cadet’s time in the Corps.
Parsons Mounted Cavalry
Gold braid. Worn by active members of the cavalry.
Gen. George F. Moore Award for the Outstanding Unit
White braid with knot cord. This high honor goes to the overall best outfit (company, squadron or battery) in the Corps.
Ross Volunteers
Gold and white braid with knot cord. Once earned, it’s worn throughout the cadet’s time in the Corps.
Your support makes it possible
Thousands of annual gifts to The Association of Former Students (the average is $15 a month) have provided hundreds of scholarships to cadets, and each year supply funding to the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets and special units such as the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band, Ross Volunteers, Parsons Mounted Cavalry and Fish Drill Team. You can add your support by making a gift of any amount.
‘Covers’ (aka headgear)
‘Bider’
This term is the Aggie name for the military “garrison cap.” Its braid or binding indicates class year (see “From fish to zip”).
Patrol Cap
Also called “OCP” (operational camouflage pattern) cap. Worn with Class C uniforms or Cs and Ts. Cadets wear their rank insignia centered on the front.
Service Cap
Worn with Class AA uniforms and can be worn with Class As or midnights.
‘Howdy Hat’
This term is the Aggie nickname for the military “campaign hat.” Typically worn when serving as an officer of the day or on guardroom duty. Also, a standard part of the Parsons Mounted Cavalry special unit uniform.
Hat Cords
Class colors rotate every four years. Two exceptions: Seniors wear metallic gold cords and Parsons Mounted Cavalry wears yellow cords.
Hat Stack
Worn on the service cap and the “howdy hat” — and a chromed version goes on the Fish Drill Team helmets.
On Your Feet!
Low Quarters
In fall 2024, Texas A&M’s Corps switched back to brown shoes, rather than the black shoes in use since 1957. “Low quarter” signifies that the shoes end below the ankle, in contrast to boots.
Service Authorized Boots
Worn with Class C uniform (charlies) or “Cs and Ts” (charlies and T-shirts) for field training and similar uses.
Senior Boots
Texas A&M’s senior boot tradition had its origins in the early 1900s when cadets — unauthorized at first — began to wear leather leggings and then tall leather riding boots that were approved for U.S. Army officers at the time.
Senior boots became such a source of pride at Texas A&M that even after the Army phased them out, Texas A&M leaders successfully made the case that Aggies should be able to continue wearing them, and the Department of Defense eventually agreed. The full story is told by James C. Griffin III ’71 in his 2025 book on the history of A&M Corps uniforms, Pressed, Clean, and Properly Fitted.
Sabers and Sam Brownes
A Sam Browne is a heavy leather belt with a cross-body shoulder strap that aids in carrying equipment. (The name comes from the British officer said to have invented it.)
In the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets, Sam Brownes are used to carry ceremonial sabers and are worn only by cadet officers (seniors) in specific situations. You’ll see cadets with the rank of cadet major or higher (commanders and key staff) wearing them at formations, reviews and gameday March-ins.
Also, at a football game, when you see a group of senior cadets on the sidelines all wearing “midnights” uniforms with Sam Brownes, those are the “officers of the day.” For each game, one outfit is selected based on strong academic performance. All the seniors from that outfit get to watch from the sidelines that day.
Special Units
Elite organizations within the Corps have distinctive uniforms.
Ross Volunteers
White dress uniform. Officers wear a red silk sash at the waist and carry sabers.
Parsons Mounted Cavalry
Modified “midnights” uniform, with senior boots for senior cadets and brown “roper” style boots for junior and sophomore cadets, plus the “howdy hat” (campaign hat). Texas A&M sleeve patch is sewn on with distinctive cross stitching.
Fish Drill Team
“Midnight” shirt with white ascot, “pink” trousers, black paratrooper-style boots with white laces, helmet liner (the Aggie term is “pot”) with a gloss black finish. Texas A&M sleeve patch is sewn on with distinctive cross stitching.
Aggies By The Sea
Texas A&M Maritime Academy cadets at Texas A&M University at Galveston have uniforms that are similar to U.S. Navy officer uniforms, but not identical.
Shown here at a College Station gameday March-in are “salt and peppers,” a white shirt/blue pants combination worn for receptions and similar occasions. They also have khaki uniforms for daily and classroom wear; freshmen and sophomores wear black belts, and juniors and seniors wear white belts. Special unit uniforms include the Hearn Honor Guard, which wears a variation of Navy dress whites, and the Drill Team and Color Guard, whose uniforms are black.
Miss Reveille, Ma’am
The highest-ranking member of the Corps has uniforms, too!
Reveille wears a maroon blanket for home games and a white blanket for away games, plus has a raincoat and special-occasion blankets. Her five diamonds show she is the highest-ranking member of the Corps; they were bestowed upon Reveille IV in 1981 for her sixth birthday.
