One of our favorite traditions is gathering for Aggie Muster. For 2020, we are honored to have as our keynote speaker, Three-Star Lieutenant General (LTG) Gerald “Jake” Betty, whose distinguished career spans Texas A&M University, the U.S. Army and the Texas State Guard.
While attending Texas A&M University, LTG Betty served as the Mascot Corporal for Miss Reveille in Company E2, and as an Aggie Yell Leader. Upon graduation in 1973, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, branching infantry. He was assigned to the 1st /501st Infantry Battalion, 101st Airborne Division, at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He served as an Infantry Platoon Leader, Infantry Company Executive Officer, Recon Platoon Leader and Battalion Operations Officer. After leaving active duty in 1977, he served as Company Commander of C Company, 1st /143 Infantry, 36th Airborne Brigade, Texas Army National Guard. In 1979, he transferred to the U. S. Army Reserves, and later was deployed for Operation Joint Guard in Bosnia from 1997 to 1998. He also served as the Commander of the 3419th Military Intelligence Detachment, Naval Air Station-Joint Reserve Base, in Fort Worth, Texas, until he was deployed with the Defense Intelligence Agency as Chief of the Iraq Survey Group, Fusion Center-CONUS as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. That same year, after 30 years of military service, he retired with the rank of Colonel from the U. S. Army Reserves. In 2006, LTG Betty joined the Texas State Guard, serving as Commander of the 8th Regiment and as the Commanding General of the Army Component Command. He deployed for state active duty missions for hurricanes Dean, Gustav, Dolly, Edouard and Ike. Subsequently, he was promoted to Major General and was named as the Commanding General of the Texas State Guard. Furthermore, he worked with the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets for 24 years, serving most recently as Deputy Commandant and Chief of Staff until 2012. Today, LTG Betty is enjoying retirement in Aggieland with his wife of 45 years, Julianne. In 2016, LTG Betty was inducted into the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets Hall of Honor [click here for LTG Betty videography].
Muster will be held Tuesday, April 21st, 6:30 pm, at the Harn Homestead [click here for address], which is located adjacent to the Oklahoma State Capitol. Dinner will be provided and alcoholic beverages will be available via cash bar. Tickets are $30 for individuals; however, admission is free for (i) direct family members of the deceased; (ii) children under the age of 12; and (iii) active duty service members. To help plan for the event, we kindly request that you purchase your tickets by April 14th [click here to purchase tickets]. Notably, we will accept cash payments for admission at the event (although our strong preference is to purchase tickets in advance).
If you have a friend or family member who should be included in the Roll Call, please send his/her full name and class year to our Muster Chair, Hamilton Le (hamilton.s.le@gmail.com). Additionally, if you or your business have any items to contribute to the auction, or would like to make a cash donation, please contact Leslie LaLonde (leslie.lalonde@yahoo.com).
