The Battalion: August 30, 2018 by The Battalion

TEXAS A&M VS NORTHWESTERN STATE THURSDAY, AUG. 30 @ 7:30 P.M. SEC NETWORK

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JIMBO IMBO ERA BEGINS CULLEN GILLASPIA

KELLEN MOND

Aggie football kicks off 2018 season led by Fisher and new coaching staff By Grant Spika @GrantSpika It’s safe to say that this year’s season opener has been a long time in the making. On December 1, 2017, Texas A&M grabbed the 2013 National Championship-winning coach from Florida State after firing former head coach Kevin Sumlin. The hire was arguably the most surprising coaching change in recent history as Jimbo Fisher had been at Florida State from 2007-2017.

TYREL DODSON

Now, as the Aggies take on Northwestern State and major SEC matchups loom in the distance, spectators may start to get an answer to the $75 million question — can Fisher get the results A&M is looking for? In addition to the Fisher hire, the offseason had no shortage of storylines for the Aggies. One main question was who was going to start under center for the Aggies, with sophomore Kellen Mond and redshirt sophomore Nick Starkel contending for the position. Both quarterbacks saw significant time on the field last season under Sumlin, but Mond was ultimately named starting quarterback by Fisher on Wednesday. However, by no means is the quarterback competition done.

TRAYVEON WILLIAMS

“We have a good relationship,” Mond said about Starkel. “I feel like we’ve bonded a little closer this year while we try to find that common goal. No matter who’s the starter or who’s playing, we both have to lead and make sure we’re at our best to help this team.” One of the most aggravating things for A&M fans while Sumlin was at the helm was his misuse of tight ends. Transfer tight end Jace Sternberger’s catch at the 2018 spring game led to one of that NWST ON PG. 2

FILE

Reveille VIII’s funeral will be held Thursday on the north end of Kyle Field at 8:30 a.m. FILE

The First Ladies of Aggieland A look back at Texas A&M’s long line of canine mascots By Abigail Ochoa and Jordan Burnham @AbigailOchoa88 @RJordanBurnham Reveille VIII will be laid to rest beside her predecessors at the north end of Kyle Field Thursday morning, facing a personal scoreboard where the former mascots can always watch their Aggies win. The original Miss Rev first came to campus in January 1931. As the story goes, a group of cadets hit the small, black and white dog while driving and brought her to their dorm to take care of her. Though the cadets kept her hidden due to the school’s no-pet policy, the dog gained her name the next morning by barking during the buglers’ rendition of “Reveille.” She became Texas A&M’s official mascot the next year during football season. Reveille I died in 1944 and received a formal military funeral.

Eight years later, she was followed by Reveille II, a Shetland Sheepdog. It wasn’t until 1966 that Reveille III became the first Rough Collie to serve as A&M’s mascot, setting a trend that still continues today. Reveille is considered first lady of Aggieland and the highest ranking member of the Corps of Cadets, signified by the five silver diamonds she’s often seen wearing. The Corps Commander wears only four. While Reveille was initially allowed to roam free, this changed in 1960. Reveille can now be seen around campus with the Mascot Corporal, a position selected from a group of sophomore cadets in Company E-2. The Mascot Corporal and first lady live and attend class with each other. The funeral service for Reveille VIII will begin Thursday morning at 8:30 a.m. at The Zone Plaza at Kyle Field. For more information and photos of Reveille through the years, visit reveille.tamu.edu.

Sophomore Camron Buckley had 282 yards and three touchdowns on 17 receptions during the 2017 season.

Fisher introduces a new offense Players strive for success with new pro-style playbook By Jack Holmes @Jack_Holmes98 When the Aggie offense takes the field Thursday, it will have a fresh look fans have not seen in recent years. This is largely due to head coach Jimbo Fisher’s introduction of a new pro-style offense, resembling the ones used in the NFL. One noticeable change to the offense will be the tight-end position being utilized more in the passing and blocking scheme. It was reported Wednesday that sophomore Kellen Mond will get the start at quarterback for the Aggies. Even so, both he and redshirt sophomore Nick Starkel are expected to split the snaps on Thursday night. Fisher made it clear that

the decision is not set in stone for future games, and said not to read much into who starts the season opener. “Someone will have to start the game, but I am very confident in both guys,” Fisher said.“Quarterbacking is down to two things— decision making and accuracy…I feel very confident that both guys can go in and play winning football.” However, Fisher spoke highly of Mond at last week’s press conference, emphasizing his improved mechanics, accuracy and decision-making. Fisher said he was pleased with the quarterback’s improvement. Mond said the way he approaches the game mentally has also improved. “I would say [that I am] holding the ball a little bit higher so I can have a little bit quicker motion,” Mond said. “A lot of it wasn’t just

mechanics, a lot of it was the mental game. Reading and understanding defenses is one of the biggest reasons I’m having so much success this year.” Much of Fisher’s new offense will be centered around junior running back Trayveon Williams, who will lead a running back corps full of young talent. Williams said he’s looking to build on the 1,855 yards and 16 touchdowns he totaled over the past two seasons and he is excited about the addition of 12th Man Cullen Gillaspia at fullback. “The fullback is the guy that’s going to get in that hole before you,” Williams said. “You’ve got a guy like Cullen who’s excited about contact. He’s looking for it. He’s excited to go out there and block that guy. I’m excited to run behind him.” Williams has shown tremendous OFFENSE ON PG. 4

Senior Boot Bag

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Megan Rodriguez, Editor in Chief

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Johnny Manziel discussed his rise to fame as a college athlete with Kevin Hart on an episode of “Cold as Balls.” Cassie Stricker — THE BATTALION

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Manziel gets candid with Kevin Hart on YouTube show By Angel Franco @angelmadison_ Johnny Manziel is owning up to his mistakes. “I don’t expect people to look at my story [and] feel bad for me,” Manziel told comedian Kevin Hart in an interview released Tuesday. “A lot of what I did was self-inflicted.” The 2012 Heisman trophy winner and former Texas A&M standout quarterback got candid with Hart on the most recent episode of his show “Cold as Balls,” which features Hart interviewing athletes while they sit in an ice bath. In the 14-minute segment, Manziel discussed a range of topics about his life, including his rise to fame at A&M and a career that brought him to his current position in the Canadian Football League with hopes to make an NFL comeback. There was a time before Manziel became Johnny Football when he considered quitting football and pursuing his

first passion — baseball. “I know I can go play baseball,” Manziel said. “I talked to the coaches at A&M and they were going to let me go try out.” But in August of 2012, A&M began its fall football camp. Eleven days later, Manziel won the starting job. That same season, the legend of Johnny Football was born. “Things changed after the Alabama game, after we played Nick Saban and Alabama and we beat them and they were the No.1 team in the country,” Manziel said. “After that game [everything was different]. Class started being different, having to get a golf cart driven to class and stuff like that.” Manziel described what it was like for him to go from being at the bottom of the quarterback roster to becoming one of the best in the country before he left college early to enter the NFL draft, all within a year. “I went from fourth on the depth chart that spring, to 11 days into fall camp winning the job,” Manziel said. “Six months later, I’m on the stage in New York winning the Heisman.” Manziel said his success on the field led to a dramatic increase in popularity

off the field, which he found difficult to balance. “After that first year and the fame and stuff started to come, I couldn’t help but eat it up,” Manziel said. “I felt like I was the guy that had to party to be able to play good.” That mindset followed Manziel to Cleveland, where he said he learned the hard realities of what it was like to be in the NFL. “I didn’t know what it took — how [much] hard work you really had to put in — to be good,” Manziel said. “I just felt like when I went out that first day and I was like ‘Alright I’m going to see how this goes,’ and then it went so bad.” Four years after leaving A&M, Manziel said he is letting go of his past and focusing on an NFL comeback. “I am at a point now where I can look back and reflect and realize that I was one way that was wrong,” Manziel said. “What can I do moving forward? Because I can’t change how I was. That’s all I can do ... get back to where I want to be.” Manziel’s full interview with Hart is available to watch on YouTube.

NWST CONTINUED

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game’s loudest cheers from the crowd and showed that Fisher’s use of the position may be more effective. Fisher will undoubtedly use the position more than Sumlin did. Sternberger will be a big part of that transition, as will Arizona grad transfer tight end Trevor Wood. “They’re big, physical guys that we haven’t had here in the past,” junior offensive lineman Erik McCoy said. “They come off the ball hard and they’re blocking guys that weigh 40 or 50 more pounds than them the same way we are, and it’s really moving the line of scrimmage.” The Northwestern State Demons are coming off a disappointing 4-7 season last year that led to the firing of former head coach Jay Thomas and brought in new head coach Brad Laird, who is also the Demons’ all-time passing leader. Northwestern State is a 44.5-point underdog in the opener against A&M, making it a very tough task to steal a win from the Aggies in Kyle Field.

Sophomore Nick Starkel is expected to see playing time in the season opener.

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AROUND THE SEC A LOOK AT THE CONFERENCE FOR WEEK 1

College football has returned to the Southeastern Conference for its 86th season and high expectations have already been set among its members. The 20172018 season saw an all-SEC national championship, while the off-season was filled with notable coaching changes and recruiting buzz. The SEC begins the season with five ranked teams and some nationally prominent games in week one.

By Dylan Poitevint @Poitite

No. 9 Auburn (SEC) vs. No. 6 Washington (Pac 12)

No. 25 LSU (SEC) vs. No. 8 Miami (ACC)

Sat. Sept. 1, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA 2:30 p.m. on ABC

Sunday Sept. 2, AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX 6:30 p.m. on ABC

Auburn enters this season with a chip on its shoulder after winning the SEC West in 2017 but failing to make the playoffs after losing the SEC Championship to Georgia. After seeing rivals Georgia and Alabama in the national title game, the Tigers hope to build another elite squad capable of winning the SEC in 2018. Jarrett Stidham returns as quarterback for Auburn following a stellar season, but the Tigers must work to adequately protect him after losing four starters on the offensive line. Washington also comes into Atlanta hungry for success since the Huskies barely missed the playoffs in 2017 after going 10-3. Led by senior quarterback Jake Browning, Washington will be a huge test for Auburn, who historically struggles against elite competition in season openers. Watch for a close game with the Tigers defense giving them the edge in this one.

LSU is coming off a solid 2017 season that saw them place third in the SEC West, going 9-4 overall. Last year’s 12th overall ranked defense has several returning starters, and they should be an intimidating force once again in 2018. The Tiger offense must prove themselves, most notably at quarterback, as Ohio State transfer Joe Burrow has been named the starter for season opener. The stakes are high for LSU head coach Ed Orgeron, who has been the subject of hotseat chatter during offseason. A win against Miami could help to hush some criticism, but with mounting pressure, a loss will surely leave Orgeron in a tough spot. Meanwhile, Miami hopes to compete for a spot in this year’s playoff after narrowly missing out in 2017. The Hurricane defense allowed only 362.8 yards a game last season and Miami hopes to exploit an inexperienced LSU offence as they return to the field. Watch for a defensive standoff in the final game of week one action, with Miami snatching a win from the Tigers’ jaws.

Prediction: Auburn 27, Washington 24

Prediction: Florida 24, LSU 13

Tennessee (SEC) vs. No. 17 West Virginia (Big 12)

No. 1 Alabama (SEC) vs. Louisville (ACC)

Sat. Sept. 1, Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC 2:30 p.m. on CBS

Sat. Sept. 1, Camping World Stadium, Orlando, FL 7:00 p.m. on ABC

Tennessee was no stranger to the coaching carousel this offseason, firing Butch Jones and hiring Jeremy Pruitt to take the reigns in Knoxville. Pruitt has no easy task at hand, however, as he tries to improve a squad that was 81st in total defense and 124th in total offense, only averaging an abysmal 291.1 yards a game. Tennessee went 4-8 in 2017 and failed to make a bowl game. On the other hand, West Virginia is looking for a breakout season with hype surrounding the program as contenders for the Big 12 title. While Pruitt could be the man to fix things for the Volunteers, don’t expect those changes in Tennessee’s season opener, as the Mountaineers will dominate both sides of the ball.

As the reigning national champions, Alabama returns this season looking to continue their dominance as one of college football’s highest achieving dynasties. Historically, the Crimson Tide has been a terrifying team to face as a first opponent, winning their last 11 season openers by double digits. All eyes will be on the quarterback for the Tide, as both junior Jalen Hurts and sophomore Tua Tagovailoa could see action against Louisville. The Cardinals are tasked with replacing Heisman winner Lamar Jackson and hope to improve on their 8-5 record from 2017. Don’t expect many surprises in this one, though, as the Tide will roll with their signature running attack and crushing defense.

Prediction: West Virginia 31, Tennessee 14

Prediction: Alabama 42, Louisville 10

WEEK 1: STAFF PICKS Texas A&M vs. Northwestern State Thursday, Aug. 30 at 7:30 p.m. on the SEC Network

Angel Franco

Luke Henkhaus

Sports Editor @angelmadison_

Managing Editor @luke_henkhaus

All I want for my 21st birthday is to winbo with Jimbo... and then go to The Dixie Chicken.

ANGEL

Something something devil’s advocate.

Hannah Falcon

Taylor Fennell

Life & Arts Editor @hannahfalcon_

HANNAH

News Editor @taylorpaige1299

The demons begged [Jimbo], “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.” (Matthew 8:31)

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LUKE

If we don’t win, this farmer’s gonna fight.

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Megan Rodriguez

Photo Chief @cassie_stricker

Editor-in-Chief @MeganLRodriguez

TAYLOR

Here’s to another Fightin Texas Aggie win and another season of me not getting tackled on the sidelines (hopefully).

We gonna winbo with Jimbo.

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OFFENSE CONTINUED

FILE

Senior running back Kwame Etwi rounds out Texas A&M’s backfield behind junior Trayveon Williams.

development since the arrival of Fisher in College Station, and the new Aggie head coach has noticed how Williams’ thirdyear running back could provide for the team. “I can’t say enough good things about not just his ability, but his leadership, his ability to provide toughness,” Fisher said. “He also really understands what a back does in protections and blocking… Not just his physical ability, but his mental ability to compete and understanding how to affect guys with what he does.” Up front, the offensive line will be led by redshirt junior Erik McCoy who, as of last week, was not sure if he was playing at guard or center. Despite that uncertainty, the junior said he’s confident in this squad’s ability to compete at the point of attack this season. “I think we are more physical,” McCoy

said. “That is something coach Fisher and coach [Jim] Turner have been demanding out of us with this offense…We have more experience up front I would say as well…The interior three of course, we have a lot of experience together, and I think we mesh really well together.” The receiving corps in this offense is young, with no upperclassmen on the roster. However, they are deep and talented. Sophomore wide receiver Camron Buckley said he’s encouraged by the number of guys who can make plays downfield in 2018. “That goes along with the offense that Jimbo brought in,” Buckley said. “Like I said before, you never know who can get the ball. Everyone in the receiving room can get the ball, even the tight ends.” The tight ends will be a lot more involved in offensive productivity under Fisher. Tight ends like junior Jace Sternberger and graduate student Trevor Wood have both impressed during fall camp. Ac-

cording to McCoy, they have also proven valuable in the rushing attack. “They’ve done a great job,” McCoy said. “They are big and physical guys that we haven’t had here in the past. They come off the ball hard, and they are blocking guys that weigh 40 or 50 more pounds than them the same way we are. It’s really moving the line of scrimmage.” It is never easy for a new coaching staff to implement an offense, especially one with the detail and intricacy of Fisher’s. However, Williams said players are confident in their knowledge of the playbook heading into the season. “When you are coming from a spread to a pro-style, of course there are going to be a lot of things that you aren’t aware of,” Williams said. “But we’ve taken on a role and done everything that we have to do…When you are able to go out there and do it day by day, you learn the little things and learn what you have to do. We’re excited.”

READ ONLINE AT THEBATT.COM

Investigations have yielded changes to A&M’s Title IX policies.

Zachry Engineering Complex features 12 acres of space and an interdisciplinary approach to projects.

The Doug Pitcock ‘49 Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center welcomes visitors with a “Howdy.”

On-campus Aggies recount staying in for meals and explain how to make the most out of the experience.

One Texas A&M graduate student recalls the lessons she learned while interning with recently deceased Senator John McCain.

Former Yankee Prospect Ethan Carnes is taking a break from baseball to work toward his degree in Aggieland.

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The Battalion | 8.30.18

Galaxies, pollution and coral: this week in science When it comes to the world of science, discoveries and breakthroughs are made every day. To help you keep up with them, The Battalion compiles a few of the most compelling scientific stories from the past week. By Anthony Pangonas @apangonas

Creative Commons

Normal elements like oxygen, magnesium and silicon have given new life to the Milky Way.

Creative Commons

In the course of four years, research saw cognitive abilities in people decrease due to air pollution.

Astronomy: The Milky Way galaxy is in its second life, having previously died over a 10 billion year time period

Environment: High levels of toxic air causes impact on intelligence equivalent to having lost a year of education

A new study presents evidence that the Milky Way galaxy is currently in its second life, and a process known as cold flow accretion helped create the galaxy that holds human life. Cold flow accretion involves a process in which galaxies collect gas during their formation and in their composition they collect a history of previous elements like oxygen, magnesium and silicon. As the stars are formed and reach their natural endpoints, they hit an explosion of short supernovas that collectively heat up gases to a warmer temperature. The heat created from this brings cold gas accretion to a stop, and iron begins to be brought into stars changing their composition and creating a second generation of stars, thus giving a second life to the Milky Way.

A study conducted in China looks at how polluted air can affect people’s cognitive ability in verbal and math tests. Previous studies have linked air pollution to over seven million premature deaths, but this new study conducted tests on 20,000 people between 2010 and 2014. The study found that as people were exposed to dirty air, it created a higher link to damage in intelligence, with language abilities more affected than math abilities and men more affected than women. Since the study followed the individuals over multiple years, the project was able to account for genetic differences between people and see that air pollution was the most likely cause of intelligence loss in the test. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 20 of the worlds most air-polluted cities are in developing countries. While China is host to several of these cities, the results of pollution could apply around the world if pollution continues to rise.

GUEST COLUMN

Attending Thursday’s Game? Watch for a video about Dr. Leslie Ruyle during halftime Tyson Voelkel

@TysonVoelkel

owdy Ags! I’m excited to announce that my next few columns will be about three folks I’m hoping you’ll become very familiar with this fall. Our team at the Texas A&M Foundation has produced a series of animated videos about some exceptional individuals who are leading by example. You’ll get to meet the first of these individuals, Dr. Leslie Ruyle (pictured at right), during tonight’s game versus Northwestern State in a video that will play at the beginning of halftime. Although we will all be yelling loud and proud for our beloved Aggies as members of the 12th Man…our video series is a direct “shout out” to our faculty and students on this great campus and to the power of purposeful philanthropy. Without amazing faculty and purpose driven students, our campus wouldn’t be such a special place. Allow me to tell you a little bit about just one of our amazing faculty, Dr. Ruyle. Dr. Ruyle is an associate research scientist with the Bush School of Government and Public Service and assistant director of the Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs. She has devoted her career to tackling problems of conservation, development and the protection of wild places. Her work focuses on big questions like, “How can conservation provide benefits to both humans and wildlife? How can development promote conservation and better lives for people? And how can we support entrepreneurship and economic development in regions of conflict and conservation concern?” In pursuit of answers to these questions, Dr. Ruyle has ventured to more than 70 countries in her career—often bringing Aggie students with her. She’s taken graduate students to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to focus on issues of malnutri-

tion in women and children and to conduct evaluations of educational programs for displaced youth. She’s worked with Texas A&M colleagues on human-wildlife conflict projects in Botswana, where elephants were causing damage to local farmers’ property and crops. And last summer, she also launched an entrepreneurship hub in the Democratic Republic of the Congo called EC3 that’s designed to give individuals more economic opportunities. In every case she’s worked on, Dr. Ruyle challenges her colleagues and students to think about problems in new ways by promoting interdisciplinary solutions. In the case of elephant crop raiding, she brought together faculty members Dr. Amanda Stronza with Texas A&M AgriLife; Rodney Boehm from the College of Engineering; and a multidisciplinary student team to work with Botswanan university students and farmers on how to improve their wildlife deterrent methods. One local solution is “Chili bombs,” burned mixtures of dried elephant dung and crushed chilies, which give off a spicy, pungent smell that offends elephants’ sensitive trunks and drives them away from crops. Like beehive fencing, chili bombs are another commonly used, environmentally-friendly method to keep elephants away from farm perimeters. In and out of the classroom, Dr. Ruyle is teaching students to think bigger than the bubble they grew up in. She’s providing transformational learning opportunities and in turn, giving Aggies a global mindset. To watch Leslie’s story come to life, visit leadbyexample.tamu.edu/Leslie. Thanks and Gig ’em, Tyson Voelkel ’96 President, Texas A&M Foundation Watch for videos about Matthew Curtis ’19 and Gracie Arenas Strittmatter ’04 ’08 during future home football games.

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After a 15 day journey, scientists have discovered over 85 miles of coral hidden beneath South Carolina’s shores.

Oceanography: Scientists discover hidden deep-sea coral reef off South Carolina Coast Just 160 miles off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina, a coral reef that has been around for thousands of years has been discovered. The project that discovered the reef consisted of scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and the US Geological Survey and it is believed that the reef is at least 85 miles long. The reef was documented by the NOAA ship Okeanos Explorer, which was able to observe continuous live reef called Lophelia that grows and dies over time, bringing together full reef structures stretching the entire region.

NEWS

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Cassie Stricker — THE BATTALION

Junior Marine veteran Derrick Calzada, junior Army veteran Patrick Gaume, senior Navy veteran Ennis Rios and junior Army veteran Nikolas Bogost are in Delta Company.

Community beyond combat Delta Company brings veterans together with a home in Aggieland By Jordan Burnham @RJordanBurnham

AGGIELAND 2018

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Texas A&M University Vol. 116

2018 AGGIELAND It’s not too late to order your copy of the 2018 Aggieland, a photojournalistic record of the 2017-2018 school year. The 116th edition of Texas A&M’s official yearbook. Go Online to aggieland.tamu.edu or call 979-845-2613 to make your purchase. $75.00 + Tax (Includes Mail Fee)

Don’t forget to also preorder your copy of the 2019 Aggieland yearbook. The 117th edition of Texas A&M’s official yearbook. Distribution will be the Fall 2019.

AGGIELAND PHOTOS FREE portrait sessions for the 2019 Aggieland will take place during the 2018 Fall and 2019 Spring semesters. Look to your Battalion newspaper, social media or campus email for dates, location and times.

After serving overseas, veterans find community and shared military experience within the Corps of Cadets’ Delta Company, an outfit designated specifically for combat veterans. The Corps is typically known for creating tomorrow’s leaders and military officers, but in the Delta Company, those who already have experience in the military can continue to serve others throughout their time at Texas A&M. According to Navy veteran and Deputy Corps Commander Ennis Rios, the Delta Company existed during the Vietnam War era but was recently re-established in 2010. There are currently 19 veterans serving in the outfit. Delta Company allows both Rios and others to be a part of a community with shared experiences and backgrounds, which keeps them motivated to push through challenges after the military. “When I got out [of the Navy] and thought about college, it was really intimidating to me,” Rios said. “But some of the stuff that I read or looked up said that veterans need a community to be successful because that’s how we operate in the military.” Army veteran and sports conditioning junior Nikolas Bogost said he joined Delta company to be with like-minded people who share more than just a living arrangement. “We share experiences, the same humor, similar interests and it feels more like family than I think most other units would,” Bogost said. According to Army veteran and history junior Patrick Gaume, members of the outfit

have served overseas a minimum of three years, which makes incoming fish as old or older than most other companies’ seniors. “Delta company allows us to come in, specifically focus on our education, as well as gives us the flexibility to maintain our relationships, our lives and our commitments,” Gaume said. “So we have the flexibility to both participate in the corps in a meaningful way as well as do what we need to do without having to learn all of the day-one things.” Marine corps veteran and electrical engineering junior Derrick Calzada will be considered a fish in the corps and said he’s looking forward to living the Aggie experience alongside fellow veterans and other cadets. “I joined because I missed the structure that the military provided, also more so the camaraderie,” Calzada said. “It’s already another home, and that’s what the military was like.” According to Rios, one of the biggest challenges Delta Company members face comes with the misconceptions traditional cadets and veterans have of each other. However, becoming a part of the ceremonial Ross Volunteer company allowed him to share experiences with members of every aspect of the corps. “To see how inspired they are to do good things, not just here, but when they leave here, how inspired they are to be good people… It’s really refreshing and really motivational, because you guys are worth being apart of,” Rios said. Rios said he encourages veterans who have considered joining the corps to speak with current members of Delta Company. “There is another family outside of your military family and your new family is just as invested in you being successful here as your military family would have been in you being successful there,” Rios said.

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