Legacy plays a big role in Texas Agriculture and Mechanical College’s Corps of Cadets, but it is not that senior Rob Jaska feels he must follow in his family’s footsteps. It is rather that after hearing all of his family’s great experiences with the program, he cannot help but feel inclined to sign himself up.
Texas A&M’s Corps of Cadets is a student leadership organization which focuses on developing and training young adults into strong leaders for both military and private sectors. The Corps was originally created to develop military officers, but it has broadened into producing more versatile leaders.
“I chose to join the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets for several reasons,” Rob said. “First and foremost, the Corps program emphasizes leadership while attending college which I believe will be an advantage for me when I ultimately go out into the work force.”
According to Rob another one of the great aspects of the Corps are the long lasting friendships formed throughout the yeras.
“The program also allows cadets to form close bonds with their classmates, or ‘buddies’, during the four years they spend together at school.,” Rob said. “Finally, my grandfather, aunt, uncle, my parents, and my siblings have all been in the Corps of Cadets and because of the many stories they have shared with me, I want to experience it for myself.”
Rob will follow his four elder siblings, as well as his parents, in choosing to take part in the Corps.
“If it was easy everyone would do it,” Rob’s father Matt Jaska said. “This was actually my high school track team motto, but it applies to the fish year as well. You learn to overcome obstacles and adversity and develop confidence. Over my career, I see this confidence in the many Aggies I have known.”
The intriguing stories that his older siblings brought home from college contributed a great deal to his future in the Corps.
“I’ve wanted to join the Corps since I was a small child, but what really sold me were the personal accounts from my siblings,” Rob said. “When they would come home from college, they would immediately begin talking about their experiences, both good and bad, and it made me think that if the program could challenge and excite them so much, I definitely want to be a part of it.”
With hopes of coming out of the Corps as not only physically and mentally strong, Rob also plans to be prepared for the real world and ready to deal with all the challenges and obstacles life brings after his college experience.
“From what my family has told me, the best and most lasting thing about the Corps is the camaraderie that can only be found through the adventures and struggles that you share with your buddies,” Rob said. “I hope to become a more effective leader and person as the program focuses on developing necessary skills such as time management, discipline, and teamwork.”
