Sam Houston Rifles

History of the Sam Houston Rifles

The "Crack Platoon" was formed in the fall of 1924 out of the Cadet Corps of North Texas Agricultural College. The team was later to provide competition for John Tarleton State College at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Exposition. It was during this competition, in 1933, that the team took its first trophy. In March of 1937, the name Sam Houston Rifles was adopted, and their typical drill schedule included parades and honor guards throughout northern Texas and exhibition drills at the State Fair of Texas and the Fort Worth Stock Show.

Since then, the Sam Houston Rifles have maintained a winning average of over 90%. Nevertheless, the Sam Houston Rifles are more than just a drill team. They are an exclusive fraternity made possible by their forerunners sacrifices. Their fellow Jodies, past, present, and future, continue to maintain the spirit, drive, and ideals that characterize the trust assumed by every man when he becomes a member of the Sam Houston Rifles.

For decades it has been a normal sight to find the leadership in the corps of cadets proudly wearing the black and gold cord of the SHR. Today is no exception. There is a long and distinguished line of those who have earned membership in the leadership laboratory that is the "Jodies".