Tarleton Corps of Cadets makes first female-to-female change in command.

TSU Media Relations

Special to Beneath the Surface News

The Tarleton State University Texan Corps of Cadets marked its first female-to-female change of command.

Cadet Zemoni Hopkins, Tarleton’s third-ever female cadet corps commander, succeeded Cadet Kaleigh Peacock in a ceremony at the O.A. Grant Amphitheater.

“I’m quite excited to take the torch from Cadet Peacock,” Hopkins said. “It’s great to see how female leadership has evolved to where we’re top of our class and trusted with taking care of the corps and all its cadets and everything that goes with it.”

Established in 1917 when John Tarleton College became part of the Texas A&M System, the Texan Corps of Cadets went inactive in 1954 when male students were no longer required to be in the corps.

In 1972 restrictions limiting full participation of women in ROTC were lifted, and the corps was re-instituted in 2016 as coed. Currently 26% of the corps at Tarleton is female.

“It is simply historic for the Tarleton Corps of Cadets to have the first change of command in which the incoming and outgoing corps commanders are female cadets,” added Col. Douglas

When outgoing Corps Commander Peacock entered the organization, there had been only one previous female corps commander, and few females were in upper leadership.

“It was definitely hard getting to where we’re at, but I’m glad we’re here. We’re setting the example for future females to know they have this opportunity,” she said.

“This program overall has given me so many great opportunities and taught me so many things, not just about myself but about others. I’m happy I got to be a part of it and looking forward to where new leadership will take it.”