All EWU ROTC Class of 2023 Seniors receive their #1 Branch (career field) of Choice!
(Photo from left to right: CDT Flippen- Ordinance, CDT Pannel- Adjutant General, CDT Yancey- Engineer, CDT Taylor Explosive Ordinance Disposal, CDT Browning- Field Artillery)
** Click the link below to learn more! **
***LATEST NEWS***
- Seniors Receive #1 Branch Choice
- Ranger Challenge 2022_Fall Term
- Land Navigation 2022_Fall Term
- Weapons Ranges 2022_Fall Term
- Revised ACFT Guidance
What is ROTC?
Welcome to the Eastern Washington University (EWU) Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) "Fighting Eagles" Battalion! EWU Army ROTC is an on-campus leadership development program with classes and training all students are welcome to take in parallel to classes required for an EWU degree. Our instructors are active duty (full-time) military officers and non-commissioned officers who will help any interested student to develop their leadership skills, but our ultimate purpose is to produce U.S. Army Officers that receive management-level job placement leading soldiers immediately after graduation from EWU. Participation is voluntary, but we do offer full-tuition scholarships if you decide to lead soldiers as a U.S. Army Officer in one of the various Army career fields including infantry, aviation, artillery, nursing, law, cyber, and many more.
The best part? If you are unsure if military service is right for you, ROTC is the only way to explore military service WITHOUT actually being in the military or making an immediate commitment. The first two years of the Military Science curriculum are open to all students regardless of academic standing. Participation in classes does not result in any military obligation. All participants are referred to as "cadets" and we do have a rank structure so that everyone understands the cadet leadership roles and responsibilities within the program. This structure and hierarchy is part of the program that facilitates leadership and management skill development. The last two years are only open to students who have entered a contract with the Army to continue ROTC, earn their degree, and serve as U.S. Army officers after graduation. Completion of the Advanced Course qualifies students to earn a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. Visit our ROTC News feed to learn more about the programs and activities our cadets are involved in around campus and in the community.
Decide to lead and start your journey with EWU Army ROTC!
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Why should you try out EWU Army ROTC?
There are many reasons why EWU Army ROTC stands out as an amazing opportunity for Eastern students to explore military service. For example, we have nationally recognized instructors, Cadets that have received national recognition, the top ROTC nursing program in the region, above average branching results, among a host of other accomplishments that mean you'll be in good company to help you on your leadership journey. Whether you decide to commit to military service or not, you'll come out of ROTC as a stronger, better version of yourself in ways you never imagined. If you do commit, we offer scholarships as detailed below.
Photo: A cadet team leader providing instructions and directions to a freshman cadet. You'll learn about leadership in the classroom and then get to put those lessons to practice during lab sessions with coaching from our military cadre members and senior cadets.
Photo: 2nd Lieutenant Valentino Olmstead graduated from Eastern with a degree in biochemistry focused on forensic science. He'll now continue to the Infantry Basic Officer Leader Course at Fort Benning, GA.
Scholarships
Whether you are a college-bound high school student or already attending college, Army ROTC has scholarships available. Scholarships are awarded based on academic, athletic, and leadership merit, not financial need. All scholarships fully pay tuition and mandatory fees - or students can opt for $10,000 per year room and board scholarship to spend at their discretion. Scholarships also provide a $1,200 allowance for books as well as a $420 monthly personal living allowance while in school. Army ROTC scholarships are divided into two categories: 4-year and 3-year National Scholarships (for high school seniors) and 4, 3, and 2-year Campus-Based Scholarships (for incoming or current college students). We want you to be successful as possible at receiving a scholarship, so please read our walkthrough guide on how to apply for a ROTC National Scholarship as well as our Top 10 Tips for a Successful ROTC National Scholarship Application to get you started. Visit our EWU ROTC Scholarships page for more information.
Photo: Cadet Drew Kimmel earned a scholarship worth nearly $30,000 to complete his Masters in Organizational Leadership and management level job placement after graduation as a U.S. Army Officer.
Activities
Once enrolled into the ROTC program all Cadets will participate in weekly leadership laboratories that teach basic soldier skills such as drill & ceremony, land navigation, rappelling, marksmanship, etc. Cadets also have the opportunity to participate in morning physical training workouts. The physical training sessions are designed using the latest fitness programs developed in part by the university's strength and conditioning team. If getting in shape is one of your goals the EWU ROTC program can help you do that without the cost of a personal trainer.
Photo: Cadets conducting fitness training at Roos Field.
Photo: A cadet rappelling during one of our training labs. One of the many skills we teach you!
Extracurricular Activities
EWU ROTC also provides a number of extracurricular activities for both contracted and non-contracted Cadets. All Cadets can try out for our annual Ranger Challenge team. The team competes each fall quarter in a regional competition that tests the Cadets physical and mental stamina in a variety of military related events. All Cadets can also participate in our Cannon Crew and Color Guard teams that support the university's sports teams and important events.
Contact us today to see how we can help you find your future as a leader in one of many different career fields in the U.S. Army!
For anyone interested in finding out more information about the ROTC program we invite you to stop by our offices at Cadet Hall on the EWU campus or contact us by email or phone.
Department of Military Science
202 Cadet Hall
Cheney, WA 99004
email: rotc@ewu.edu
phone: 509-359-6110
fax: 509.359.6108
Photo: 1980s advertisement in the campus newspaper. Still rings true today and our Enrollment Officer still sits in room 201 of Cadet Hall here on campus!