Fall / Winter 2025 Issue

First Up: RV Class of 2027 Induction

The newest members of the RV Company were inducted on Monday, September 29, 2025. RV Company Commander Craig Petrin '26 and his staff administered the RV oath and presented cords to 72 outstanding cadets from the Class of 2027. The keynote speaker for this year's Induction Banquet was former RV Kyle Easley '01, currently serving the Aggie Network as Director of Campus Engagement for The Association of Former Students. The RVA is proud to support these new RVs in their pledge to serve and represent the Corps of Cadets and the University. Click HERE to view more Induction Banquet photos.

Then, It's Time for a Little Company Run!

The RV Weapons Run was held on Monday, October 6, 2025. Click HERE to view more photos. 

2026 RVA Membership Drive is Underway

Check your snail mail! You should have recently received 2026 RVA membership information in your mailbox. If you have not received it, please visit the RVA website, log in, and make sure we have your current mailing address in our database. (Scroll down in this newsletter for instructions on  updating contact information online.)

RVA membership starts at $50 a year, with several membership levels to choose from. You can easily join or renew online, or download a membership form for mailing, using the buttons below. To put your membership on "auto pilot" select the auto renew feature when joining or renewing online.

We are grateful to our loyal members for their generous contributions to the RVA in 2025. We also appreciate all those who have already joined or renewed their RVA membership for 2026. If your membership is not current, we ask you to consider a membership gift to the RVA as part of your annual charitable giving.

Join or Renew for 2026

Download PDF Membership Form

RVA Donations Can Offer Tax Benefits

If you are required to take an RMD from an IRA or similar retirement account, you might want to consult your financial advisor/tax accountant about the tax benefit of making a direct qualified charitable distribution (QCD) to the RVA for your annual membership donation to satisfy a portion of your RMD (refer to the graphic below). Also, the One Big Beautiful Bill includes a few changes to the way charitable giving tax deductions are calculated. These changes take effect on January 1, 2026, and if they impact you, it might be more beneficial for you to make your 2026 membership donation before the end of 2025. RVA membership donations are tax deductible and eligible for matching gifts.

Christmas Parade Tradition Marches On 

On Saturday, December 6, the RVs took part in the second annual College Station Christmas Parade from Post Oak Mall, to Holleman Drive, and through College Station's Central Park. The Aggie Band and other Corps of Cadets units joined in the festivities. Click HERE to see more parade photos.

Become an RVA Life Member

We ask those who are not yet RVA Life Members to consider joining the ranks of the RVA Life Member Platoon. If you are in a position to give at this level, we invite you to join those RVs in your class who have already done so! 

Life Membership can be attained with a donation of $5,000 made over a 5 year period. If you would like to become a Life Member in 2026, you will be given credit for your past 4 years of giving toward the $5,000 amount to determine the remaining balance due by December 31, 2026. Or, you may indicate your intent to pledge life membership in 2026 and give installment donations over at most the next five consecutive years, totaling $5,000. Inquiries regarding Life Membership can be directed to RVA Membership Chair Herschel Acosta '97 at rva@corpsofcadets.org.

Save the Date! RVA Spring Event - Feb 22

RVA Spring Event plans are underway! We will gather on Sunday, February 22 at the TAMU Rec Center for a social with "ballpark" eats, beer, bubbles, and Aggie baseball. Our Aggies will be wrapping up a three game series with the Penn Quakers that day. Save the date and stay tuned for more details to be announced via email in early 2026.

Full Program Featured at RVA Fall Event 

The RVA Fall Event on Sunday, November 16 provided attendees with a time for fellowship along with a very full and informative program! Over 100 current and former RVs and guests enjoyed the opportunity to gather in Duncan Dining Hall, share a meal, and hear news and updates on the Corps, the RV Company, and the RVA.

RVA President Jake Betty '73 conducted a brief RVA business meeting during the event. New RVs from the Class of '27 were officially welcomed followed by RVA Board elections. The membership voted to approve Paul Watson '76 as President-elect and Greg Lengyel '85 as a 1st Year Director. (A complete list of your RVA Leadership for 2026 appears at the bottom of this newsletter.) The business meeting wrapped up with a special presentation to induct RVA Executive Director Steve Weaver '74 as the newest member of the RVA Honor Platoon in recognition of his faithful dedication and outstanding service to the organization. Then Bob Foley '69 presented Jake Betty '73 with an RVA President's plaque to acknowlege his exceptional leadership and service during the past year. 

Thanks & Gig 'em to our guest speaker, Commandant Lt. Gen. James W. Bierman Jr., and to our RV cadet panel consisting of Craig Petrin '26 (RV Commander), John Andruss '26 (Corps Commander), Melody Bratcher '26 (Regiment Commander), and Avery Owens '26 (Combined Band Commander). We also appreciate former RV and RVA student worker Peter VanHoy '25 for reporting on a special RV Company History project he is working on in conjunction with the Cushing Library and Archives.

Thanks to all who attended this annual RVA gathering! To view a photo album from the event, click HERE.

Sign up for "Monday with the Company"

For the past three years the RVA, working in conjunction with the RV Commander, has provided an opportunity for former RVs to address the RV Company during the first 10 to 15 minutes of each Monday drill. The goal of this "Monday with the Company" program is to share how lessons learned and experiences gained during your time as an RV shaped you personally and have guided you in your life and career.

Monday drill begins at 4:45pm in the center of the Quad. If you are interested in participating in "Monday with the Company," contact Mark Johnson '78 at johnson78@tamu.edu to inquire about available dates in the spring semester.

Opportunity for RVs in the D.C. Area

The National Capital Texas A&M Club (D.C. Aggies Club) holds an annual wreath laying ceremony before Muster to honor each of the Aggies interred at Arlingtion National Cemetery. Former RV Company Commander, Adam Paris '24, is a member of the D.C. Aggies Club and wants to invite and encourage all former RVs who live in or around Washington D.C. to participate in this special "Aggies at Arlington" event. To volunteer or request more information, contact Adam directly at adamdparis@gmail.com.

Austin RVA Social was a Smash Hit

Almost 50 Austin area supporters of the RV Company gathered at Mandola's Italian Kitchen in SW Austin the evening of Wednesday, August 7. Several RV senior leaders attended and gave an update on plans for the Company in the coming school year. Special thanks to Nick Naccarato '70 for coordinating the venue for this event, and thanks to all who joined us for a fun evening and a delicious Italian meal! To view more photos from the RVA Austin Social, click HERE. 

New Contact Info? Update Your RVA Profile 

In just 3 easy steps you can update your contact information online and help us improve our communications. Your RVA online profile is tied to the same email address this newsletter was sent to, and that email address is also your RVA website username. Log in at rvassociaiton.org and get up to date! (Click on the image below to enlarge.)

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Happy New Year! Looking Forward to 2026!