Texas A&M’s Corps of Cadets is again looking for a new commandant.
Retired general Patrick Michaelis, who began in October 2022, is becoming a special assistant to another retired general, A&M president Mark Welsh.
A third retired general has been named interim commandant. Chip Utterback is a 1975 A&M graduate who served in the corps.
Two weeks ago, A&M system chancellor John Sharp shared with the board of regents that the cadets 3.26 cumulative grade point average during the 2023-2024 school year was just above the university’s overall GPA. Sharp also said 165 cadets were commissioned in May as officers in the U.S. military, which is the most in 36 years.
Sharp also said the corps predicted 2,500 cadets for the upcoming school year, an increase of 150 from the year before.
Click below to hear comments from John Sharp during the August 1, 2024 board of regents meeting.
Also during the regents meetings two weeks ago, the board was scheduled to receive an update from a special subcommittee reviewing the last two years the cadets organization. But that presentation was cancelled.
Preceding Michaelis was retired general Joe Ramirez, who served as commandant for 11 years before becoming A&M’s vice president of student affairs in June 2021.
Texas A&M statement about the leadership transition in the Corps of Cadets:
Texas A&M University Corps Commandant Patrick R. Michaelis is transitioning to a new role serving as special assistant to President Mark A. Welsh III.
Welsh has named retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Loyd S. “Chip” Utterback, ’75, as interim commandant, and said a national search committee will soon be formed.
Michaelis — who retired as a brigadier general after serving almost 30 years in the U.S. Army — said he’s grateful for the opportunity to serve Aggieland.
“One of the great loves of my life is the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets,” the 1993 Aggie graduate and former cadet said. “Its focus on developing leaders of character for the global challenges of tomorrow demands that we continue to advance as we preserve what makes Aggieland so unique.”
“I look back on my time as the Commandant with joy and satisfaction, he said. “The opportunity to give back what the Corps gave to me has been reflected in the commissioning of our nation’s newest officers, the hiring of leaders across industry and public service, and the path opened to those continuing their education. I want to thank the cadets for their trust, confidence and their commitment to the future of our state and nation. You make me very proud.”
In the new position, Welsh said Michaelis will continue contributing to the betterment of Texas A&M, focusing on university strategic initiatives.
Thanking Michaelis for his leadership over the past few years, Welsh pointed to his dedication to enhancing cadet resiliency, improving academic initiatives and promoting physical fitness programs. The combined efforts have been instrumental in helping each cadet excel both academically and within the Corps lifestyle, Welsh said.
“I extend my deepest gratitude and appreciation to General Michaelis for his service to Texas A&M University and the Corps of Cadets. He worked tirelessly to improve leadership training and the overall Corps experience while also expanding the reach of the Corps through expanded recruitment efforts.”
General Utterback is a Distinguished Military Graduate of Texas A&M and a member of the Corps of Cadets Hall of Honor. He was a member of Squadron 2, as well as the Ross Volunteer Company, and commanded 1st Group as a senior.
He went on to have a distinguished career in the United States Air Force. He commanded units at multiple levels, led a fighter squadron in combat operations, served as the United States Senior National Representative to NATO, and led negotiations on defense policy reforms in Asia, resulting in major international agreements. More about Gen. Utterback here.