Eastern Washington University
Congratulations to Second Lieutenant Steven Ochman from the Eastern Washington University (EWU) ROTC class of 2017 for recently completing his training as a CH-47 Chinook helicopter pilot.
2LT Ochman completed his training at Ft. Rucker, Alabama which is the home to the US Army Aviation Center of Excellence. 2LT Ochman’s next duty station will be at Hunter Army Airfield outside of Savannah, Georgia. Great job once again to 2LT Ochman for this important accomplishment in his military career.
Cadets from the Eastern Washington University (EWU) Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program ended the month with a bang by executing a weapons familiarization live fire at the Medical Lake Department of Corrections Range. On September 27, 2018; 73 Cadets from the EWU ROTC “Fighting Eagles” battalion conducted familiarization on the M9, M4, 240B, and 249 weapon systems. For many of the MSI Cadets it was their first time firing a weapon; thus making it a great opportunity for them to get some experience on all four weapon systems.
Learning marksmanship with various weapon systems is a key Soldier skill that Cadets learn during their time in the ROTC program. The training prepares Cadets for Advanced Camp held at Ft. Knox, Kentucky each summer. Cadets usually between their junior and senior years in college attend Advanced Camp and basic rifle marksmanship is one of the skills they must pass to graduate. Graduating from Advanced Camp is one of the key milestones to becoming an Army officer after graduating from college. The EWU ROTC program provides Cadets plenty of opportunity to learn and train on basic rifle marksmanship. This was demonstrated this past summer when every EWU ROTC Cadet that attended Advanced Camp passed the rifle marksmanship testing.
Below are a few pictures from this week training provided by EWU ROTC Cadre member Mr. Rob Riedel:
Additional pictures from the rifle range can be viewed on the EWU ROTC Facebook site. The below pictures were provided courtesy of EWU ROTC alumni, Mr. Jerry Mellick:
Finally EWU ROTC would like to thank the Medical Lake Department of Corrections for access to their range. Providing outstanding training opportunities to the EWU ROTC Cadets would not be possible without the great support our program receives from the surrounding community.
Start Something Big! Go Fighting Eagles!
On September 20, 2018 the Eastern Washington University (EWU) Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program contracted 10 Cadets into the US Army. A Contracting Ceremony was held in front of Showalter Hall which is the oldest building on EWU’s campus. Showalter Hall was built back in 1915 when EWU was a teacher’s college. (Note: All the following pictures provided by Mr. Rob Riedel)
The Contracting Ceremony was attended by senior university leadership, fellow Cadets, alumni, friends, and family.
All 10 Cadets recited the Oath of Enlistment given to them by Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Stafford, the Professor of Military Science and Department Chair for the EWU ROTC program.
The first Oath of Enlistment was developed during the Revolutionary War when the Continental Congress established different oaths for the enlisted men and officers of the Continental Army. Here is what the original oath said:
“I _____, do acknowledge the Thirteen United States of America, namely, New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, to be free, independent, and sovereign states, and declare, that the people thereof owe no allegiance or obedience to George the third, king of Great Britain; and I renounce, refuse and abjure any allegiance or obedience to him; and I do swear that I will, to the utmost of my power, support, maintain, and defend the said United States against the said king, George the third, and his heirs and successors, and his and their abettors, assistants and adherents; and will serve the said United States in the office of _____, which I now hold, and in any other office which I may hereafter hold by their appointment, or under their authority, with fidelity and honour, and according to the best of my skill and understanding. So help me God.”
The first Oath of Enlistment under the Constitution was approved by an Act of Congress on 29 September 1789. It applied to all commissioned officers, noncommissioned officers, and enlisted Soldiers in the United States military.
The oath would receive minor modifications during the 1800’s, but the current oath recited by the contracting Cadets has remained unchanged since 1959. Here is the current Oath of Enlistment:
“I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.”
By contracting the Cadets can now activate scholarship benefits, receive a monthly monetary stipend, attend advanced training, and other opportunities to help them towards their goal of becoming a US Army officer after graduating from EWU.
Following the reciting of the Oath of Enlistment, the 10 Cadets were then given their right shoulder sleeve EWU ROTC patch. The patch was presented by Sergeant First Class Jason Hennig who explained the importance of the right shoulder sleeve patch that recognizes combat service in the active US Army. In the EWU ROTC program the right should sleeve patch recognizes these Cadets’ commitment to the program by contracting.
A video of the Contracting Ceremony can be viewed below:
Congratulations to all 10 of our great EWU ROTC Cadets who contracted into the US Army:
The Eastern Washington University (EWU) Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Jump Start 2018 was a great training event for all the first year Cadets that participated. A major highlight of Jump Start was the participation of a UH-72A Lakota helicopter during the field portion of the training. A short video featuring the Lakota helicopter and its crew can be viewed below:
The EWU ROTC program gives a big thank you to the National Guardsman who are part of Charlie Company, 1-112th Aviation Security and Support based out of Fairchild AFB, WA for supporting Jump Start 2018.
The Eastern Washington University (EWU) Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program conducted its annual Operation Jump Start between 10-14 September 2018.
The purpose of the five day event is to inprocess first year Cadets, settle them into their dorm rooms, introduce them to Army physical fitness, and conduct initial soldier skills training. The first day of Jump Start was dedicated to receiving the new Cadets and settling them into their dorm rooms. After a successful first day, the second day of Jump Start began with the Cadets receiving a welcome from the EWU ROTC Cadre and the Military Science Department Chair, Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Stafford:
The Cadets then proceeded to conduct team building activities led by Military Science (MS) third and fourth year cadets (MS III & MS IV):
In the afternoon, the Jump Start Cadets conducted Drill and Ceremony training directed by the MS III and MS IV Cadets:
The Cadets ended day 2 by being issued their initial gear and uniforms:
A very busy Day 3 for the Cadets began with some early morning physical training (PT):
They also got to meet the EWU ROTC obstacle walls:
After PT the first year Cadets conducted classroom training on land navigation in preparation for the field portion of Jump Start that would begin later in the day:
They then applied their newly learned land navigation knowledge outside with a compass course:
The Cadets also conducted initial rifle marksmanship and movement & maneuver training:
Later that afternoon the Cadets then deployed out to Seven Mile Training Area located in the forested hills north of Spokane:
The training area is within the expansive Riverside State Park that straddles the banks of the scenic Spokane River:
The Cadets spent the night outside at the training area and at dawn they woke up to a high temperature of 39 degrees. After eating a Meal Ready to Eat (MRE) breakfast the Cadets then prepped their gear in preparation for a busy day of training:
The Cadets divided into groups and conducted soldier skills training at various stations. One of the training station featured land navigation training conducted by EWU ROTC Recruiting Operations Officer (ROO) Mr. Rob Riedel:
The EWU ROTC Cadet Commanding Officer (CO) Haley Bent along with MS IV Cadet Kyle Isaacson provided instruction on proper movement techniques:
During the training lane Cadets practiced how to react to fire and conduct buddy rushes against enemy positions:
The Cadets also received instruction on how to throw grenades. MS III Cadet James Tallakson (right) instructs a Jump Start Cadet on how to properly throw a grenade:
A major highlight of the field portion of the training was the arrival of a UH-72A Lakota helicopter flown in by Soldiers from the Washington State National Guard. The National Guardsman provided an overview brief about the helicopter, allowed Cadets to get inside of it, and answered questions about being an officer in the National Guard:
The helicopter was crewed by (from left to right), Chief Warrant Officer 2 Cody Heathman, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Dave Caporicci, and 2nd Lieutenant Brett Johnson:
The National Guardsman are part of Charlie Company, 1-112th Aviation Security and Support based out of Fairchild AFB, WA:
After the completion of a successful fourth day of Jump Start training, the Cadets headed back to Cheney for a well deserved night of rest. The rest was needed because on the final day of Jump Start 2018 began with the Cadet Commanding Officer, Haley Bent leading the new Cadets on their first unit run:
During the run the Jump Start Cadets took a team picture at the entrance gate of Eastern Washington University:
The final day of Jump Start 2018 concluded with a luncheon and award ceremony for the Cadets with their parents:
Jump Start 2018 was without a doubt a great success. A total of 33 MS I Cadets were able inprocess, move into their dorms, become familiarized with PT, and conduct basic Soldier skills training. These talented MS I Cadets have kicked off what will be another great year for the EWU ROTC program.
Go Fighting Eagles!
The EWU football team is currently 2-0 and on the road to play Washington State today in Pullman. Hopefully the Eags can pull off another upset on the road against WSU like they did two years ago. However, what that means is that there is another week of no EWU ROTC Cannon Crew support to the team. The Cannon Crew will be in action though next week when EWU plays Cal Poly at home on Sept. 22nd. Until then here are a few pictures to enjoy of Cannon Crew action in support of EWU’s home opening 58-13 victory over Central Washington back on Sept 1st.
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