In a day filled with farewells, the Corps of Cadets marched to Simpson Drill Field this Saturday for Final Review.
Each year, the Corps holds Final Review at the beginning of May. The event consists of two “passes,” which consist of the commandant of the Corps inspecting each outfit as they march by. The first pass marked the final time seniors marched as members of the Corps. 
“Marching first pass as a senior is a really unusual feeling,” said Kyle McLaughlin, mechanical engineering senior from Squadron 23. “It’s great, because you know you’re done but it’s also the last time that you’re going to be doing anything in the Corps, so it’s nostalgic as well.”
After first pass, the cadets were then released to change into their new uniforms as freshmen cadets became sophomores cadets, sophomores became juniors, and juniors became seniors. New senior Allison McGrath, biology and modern languages double major, said putting on her senior boots was one of the best feelings in the world. 
“You’ve looked forward to it since your freshman year, and it’s not a reality until they get on your feet and you’re walking around and it’s like, ‘Oh my goodness – it’s here!’” McGrath said. “It feels especially nice on your pocketbook because you finally paid for them, you’re finally wearing them.”
To begin second pass, Alyssa Michalke, the Corps Commander for 2015-2016, handed her saber to Cecille Sorio, the 2016-2017 Corps Commander, as a symbol of leadership transfer. Those selected for the 2016-2017 Corps Leadership also formed on the field and were acknowledged.
The new 2016-2017 Corps then gathered into formation on Simpson Drill Field with Sorio leading the march. Second pass was then conducted in front of the class of 2016, who, dressed in their outfit PT shirts, acted as reviewing officers.
McLaughin said the second pass is the part seniors look forward to as their old outfits pass by and salute the “dying” seniors.
“It’s really fun, because you’re just standing there watching the review, and when they march by it’s kind of funny to see the people that started in your outfit who wound up in different outfits because of leadership or something,” McLaughlin said. “So we had people from five or six different outfits breaking rank to salute us. I thoroughly enjoyed it.”
The event marked a new chapter for freshmen as well. Andrew Kehrberg, a sports management major and new sophomore, said he is looking forward to no longer being a freshman in the Corps. 
“You don’t get yelled at as much, you get a first name,” Kehrberg said. “You don’t have to keep your room as clean, and just different things you can earn throughout the year that freshmen don’t get – a refrigerator, a microwave. It’s just different. You’re more of a normal person now, less of a freshman.”
Many family members came to campus to celebrate the moment. Kelly Tansey, Class of 1991, said that the four years her son spent in the Corps passed quickly for her. 
“It was a bittersweet feeling, seeing him march for the last time,” Tansey said. “Joining the Corps is probably one of the best decisions he’s ever made, aside from deciding to come to A&M. It taught him discipline, it taught him organization. But most importantly, I think it gave him buddies that he’ll have for the rest of his life. And it makes me happy. It’s an incredible feeling knowing how much the Corps has done for my son.”