Seeing Reveille around campus is nothing short of magical. Students flock to capture moments with her, pet her, and interact with the Mascot Corporal who takes care of her. One day, your student might text you, filled with excitement, saying, "MOM❤️!!!! Look, I saw Reveille😍 on campus today on my way to class!👍🐶👍" And thanks to this post, you’ll be well-informed about this cherished Aggie tradition.
The Origins of Reveille
The story of Reveille began when a group of cadets, returning to campus from nearby Navasota, Texas, accidentally hit a small black and white dog with their vehicle. Compassionate and caring, they picked her up and brought her back to their dorm to nurse her back to health. However, since pets were not allowed on campus, they had to keep her hidden. Her cover was soon blown when, the next morning, a bugler played “Reveille” to wake the cadets, prompting the dog to bark wildly. It was in that moment that she earned the name we all know today.
Reveille I was officially named the mascot of Texas A&M during the football season that followed. She proudly led the band onto the field, captivating the hearts of students and fans alike. After 13 years as the mascot, Reveille I passed away on January 18, 1944, and was honored with a formal military funeral at Kyle Field, including a 21-gun salute. Today, all deceased Reveilles, including Reveille I, are laid to rest outside the north end of Kyle Field, where a special scoreboard allows them to watch the Aggies outscore their opponents.
Before Reveille II was named, Texas A&M had several unofficial mascots, such as Tripod, Spot, and Ranger. Reveille II, a Shetland Sheepdog donated by a Texas A&M graduate, first appeared on campus eight years after Reveille I's passing. Reveille III was the first full-blooded Rough Collie, and since then, all subsequent Reveilles have followed that lineage. The current mascot, Reveille X, took on her duties in May 2021.
Reveille Today
Originally, Reveille had the freedom to roam the campus. However, since 1960, she has been cared for by a designated mascot corporal, a sophomore in the Corps of Cadets' Company E-2. Each spring, a new mascot corporal is selected from this unit, and Reveille lives with them for the year. She attends classes, goes on outings, and even joins her handler during holidays.
Affectionately known as "Miss Rev," she holds the title of the highest-ranking member in the Corps of Cadets, sporting five silver diamonds—while the Corps commander has only four. This means if Miss Rev decides to take a nap on a cadet’s bed, that cadet must find somewhere else to sleep! According to Aggie legend, if Reveille barks while in class with her handler, the professor may choose to dismiss the class, although it’s not a requirement.
Learn More About Reveille
To discover more about Reveille and her significant role at Texas A&M, visit the official Reveille website.
Skip past news feed