Reveille from Stray to Campus Icon

Reveille, the Texas A&M mascot, has a rich history dating back to 1894.

Originally, Reveille was a stray dog found wandering around campus.

The first Reveille was a small, mixed-breed dog named Old Relentless, who was adopted by the school's cadets.

Since then, Reveille has become an iconic symbol of Texas A&M University, with a long line of dogs serving as the school's mascot.

Today, Reveille is a beloved fixture on campus, with a dedicated team of students and staff who care for her every need.

Reveille's story is one of serendipity and loyalty. A group of cadets found a small black and white dog on their way back to campus and brought her back to care for her, despite pets not being allowed on campus.

The dog's name was born from her reaction to the morning bugle call, "Reveille." She would wildly bark, earning her the name we know her by today.

Reveille I was the first official mascot, officially named during the football season after she led the band onto the field. She lived for 13 years, until her passing on January 18, 1944, which was marked with a formal military funeral at Kyle Field.

Reveille V was a beloved mascot at Texas A&M University, serving from 1984 to 1999. She was a descendant of a championship purebred Rough Collie, chosen from a pool of 2000 puppies for her lineage and distinctive marking.

Reveille V's tenure was marked by her mischievous personality, often stealing erasers from chalkboards during class. She attended every Texas A&M football game with one exception, a notable absence due to a regulation disallowing live mascots at home games.

In 1993, Reveille V underwent emergency surgery for gastric volvulus and made a full recovery. However, she eventually suffered from arthritis and a neurological disorder, leading to her euthanasia in June 1999.

A testament to Reveille V's popularity, over 3,000 students and alumni attended her funeral, which included a prayer from a campus chaplain and eulogies from her former handlers.

Reveille VII was a registered Rough Collie born in Argent Kennel, part of the Animal Hospital of Ft. Lauderdale.

She was donated to Texas A&M by Cindi Bossart, VMD, her husband Jim Efron, and breeder Nancy MacDonald.

Reveille VII arrived on campus on February 16, 2001, and officially took over duties from Reveille VI at the Corps of Cadets Final Review on May 12, 2001.

Her high-pitched barks could be heard above the band at a pre-game performance, prompting a decision to send her to obedience school.

She worked closely with her professional trainer, Kay Stephens, and her newly appointed mascot corporal throughout the summer.

Reveille VII's manners needed work, and she had several stints in obedience school.

In 2007, she bit her handler after having her tail stepped on during a morning run.

Her impending retirement at the end of the school year was announced on February 13, 2008.

Reveille VII began her retirement at the age of 7 living with two other dogs under the care of Paul and Tina Gardner in Wellborn, Texas.

She died on May 30, 2013, at home in Aggieland, as reported by Texas A&M University president R. Bowen Loftin via Twitter.

Reveille's Origins are a fascinating story. Our current mascot, Reveille X, assumed her duties in May 2021.

A group of cadets found a small black and white dog on their way back to campus from Navasota, Texas. They picked her up and brought her back to their dorm to care for her.

The injured pup quickly blew her cover, and the next morning she started wildly barking when a bugler played "Reveille" to wake the cadets. This earned her the name we know her by today.

Reveille I was officially named the mascot of Texas A&M when she led the band onto the field during the following football season. She died on Jan. 18, 1944, after 13 years as the mascot.

All of the deceased Reveilles, including Reveille I, are buried outside the north end of Kyle Field. There, they have a special scoreboard so they can always watch the Aggies outscore their opponents.

Reveille II, a Shetland Sheepdog donated by a Texas A&M graduate, first appeared on campus eight years after Reveille I passed away.

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Reveille has been cared for by a mascot corporal since 1960, a sophomore in the Corps of Cadets' Company E-2.

This cadet is chosen from within the unit each spring and gets to live with Reveille for the year. They take her to class, on dates, and even home for the holidays.

Her handler is responsible for escorting her to all of her functions and Aggie engagements.

As the highest-ranking member in the Corps of Cadets, Reveille wears five silver diamonds, one more than the Corps commander.

If Reveille falls asleep on her handler's bed, the handler must find somewhere else to sleep since she outranks him.

Reveille has a special tradition where if she barks in class, the professor may choose to dismiss the class, but it's not required.

Reveille's life with her handler is quite the adventure, and it's clear she's treated like royalty on campus.

Reveille in Popular Culture is a fascinating topic, and it's interesting to note that the breed has been featured in several films and TV shows.

Reveille's distinctive barking has been used in various media to signal the start of a new day or a critical moment in a scene.

One notable example is the 1971 film "The Poseidon Adventure", where a Reveille is used to signal the start of the day after a dramatic rescue.

Reveille's intelligence and trainability have also made them a popular choice for search and rescue missions, as seen in the 2008 film "Rescue Me."

The Reveille's long history of service as a sentinel and alarm dog has made them a staple in military and historical dramas, such as the TV show "Band of Brothers."

The breed's unique appearance and distinctive barking have also made them a favorite among cartoonists and animators, often used as a comical or ironic character.