EWU ROTC Cadets Complete High Ropes Confidence Course at Basic Camp

This summer Eastern Washington University (EWU) Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) has 11 Cadets attending ROTC Basic Camp at Ft. Knox, Kentucky.  Basic Camp is a four-week leadership training course designed for college students, typically between their sophomore and junior years to attend if they did not join ROTC during their freshman year of college. After completion of Basic Camp the Cadet is then eligible for entry as a third year Cadet in the four year ROTC program. The Cadet is also eligible to contract and receive scholarship and stipend benefits.

A man waits his turn for the rope climb

Devante Hall prepares to conduct the high ropes course at ROTC Basic Camp.


The Cadet Command cameras recently captured pictures of two of our EWU ROTC Cadets, Devante Hall and Amayia Roberts during the execution of the High Ropes Confidence Course at Basic Camp. Cadet Roberts was even quoted in the Cadet Command article about the training:

“I’m terrified of heights. I actually started crying when I was going, but I pushed through it,” stated Cadet Amayia Roberts, Eastern Washington University.

A person waits to go up on the high ropes

Amayia Roberts (center) executes the high ropes course at ROTC Basic Camp.


The High Ropes Confidence Course tests the Cadets to overcome three different obstacles: the Moore’s Mountain rock wall, the Alpine Tower, and Rudder’s Rope Course.  The course develops the Cadets’ abilities to overcome heights, problem solve, and work together as a team.

Great job by both Cadets Hall and Roberts for completing the High Ropes Confidence Course and we wish them all the best during the remainder of their Basic Camp training.

Go Fighting Eags!

Throwback Thursday: Cadet Debra Dutton at 1977 ROTC Advanced Camp

Considering it is now the heart of Advanced Camp season for ROTC battalions across the country, I decided this week to share a picture of an Eastern Washington University (EWU) Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Cadet attending Advanced Camp back in 1977.  Back then EWU was called Eastern Washington State College (EWSC).  Here is what is written on the back of the picture:

By: Sp4 Michael Gough

Debra Dutton composes a warning order while participating in a squad mini-ex.  Cadet Dutton is attending the 1977 (through Eastern Washington State College) Army ROTC Advanced Camp at Ft. Lewis, WA.

If anyone remembers Cadet Dutton please leave a comment and let us know about what you remember about one of our Fighting Eagles alumni.

Go ROTC!  Go Fighting Eags!

Despite Summer Heat, Fighting Eagles Cadets Are Still All Smiles at ROTC Advanced Camp

Cadets Castrejon and Beier

Our “Fighting Eagles” Cadets from the Eastern Washington University (EWU) Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program have continued to progress through Advanced Camp 2019 at Ft. Knox, Kentucky.  Advanced Camp is Cadet Command’s premier annual training event that assesses Cadets on their ability to conduct basic officer leadership tasks.  Cadets usually attend Advanced Camp during the summer between their junior and senior years of college.  Passing Advanced Camp is a mandatory requirement for all Cadets who want to commission as an officer in the U.S. Army after graduation.  Ft. Knox is currently experiencing high temperatures in the upper 80’s with humidity over 50%.  The heat hasn’t stopped our Cadets from keeping a smile on their face as evident by Cadet Michael Beier (left) and Jazmin Castrejon (right) after they happened upon each other during the Field Training Exercise (FTX) portion of Advanced Camp.

Cadets take a picture together

EWU ROTC Cadets Michael Beier (left) and Jazmin Castrejon (right).


Cadet Castrejon is an MS-III Cadet who is part of the primary training audience for Advanced Camp.  Her platoon had just successfully completed a raid during the FTX.  Cadet Castrejon is in 9th Regiment and scheduled to graduate from Advanced Camp on August 8th.

Cadets in a forest with their weapons

Cadet Castrejon (left) and Cadet Beier (right)


Cadet Beier is an MS-II Cadet who volunteered to attend Advanced Camp to support the Opposing Force (OPFOR):

Photo of a cadet with facepaint on

Cadet Michael Beier


Cadet Castrejon wasn’t the only Eastern Cadet that Beier ran into this week.  He also ran into Robert Wheeler who is an MS-III Cadet attending Advanced Camp as part of 8th Regiment.  He is scheduled to graduate on August 3rd.

A selfie of two cadets

Cadets Michael Beier (left) and Robert Wheeler (right)


EWU ROTC wishes Cadets Castrejon and Wheeler all the best as they move towards completion of Advanced Camp 2019.  We also wish best of luck to all of our other Fighting Eagles Cadets who are attending not only Advanced Camp, but Basic Camp as well at Ft. Knox.

Go ROTC!  Go Fighting Eags!

Randy Van Turner ROTC Scholarship

The Randy Van Turner ROTC Scholarship is sponsored by the brothers from the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, Zeta Nu chapter of Eastern Washington University (EWU).  The scholarship is in honor of the fraternity’s EWU chapter co-founder First Lieutenant Randy Turner.

Photo of Randy Turner

Randy Turner


Randy Turner was a 1968 graduate from the EWU Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program who was a recipient of the Silver Star and in 1969 was killed in action during the Vietnam War.  In 2018 his fraternity brothers decided to honor his service by establishing an ROTC scholarship program.  The scholarship awards one year of tuition to selected EWU ROTC Cadets.  The scholarship began awarding money to recipients in the 2019-2020 academic year.

Criteria for the Randy Van Turner ROTC Scholarship

  1. ROTC student
  2. Preference for student enrolled in simultaneous membership program (National Guard or Reserves)
  3. Demonstrated financial need
  4. Minimum GPA of 2.5
  5. Sophomore standing or higher
  6. Preference given to students majoring in a STEM or Health Sciences program

Cadets that meet the above criteria then participate in a board held by the EWU ROTC Cadre and a university representative to determine who will receive a scholarship.  Cadets grades, physical fitness, leadership potential, and ability to answer questions are all considered by the board when selecting Randy Van Turner ROTC Scholarship recipients.  Anyone interested in this scholarship should contact the ROTC office for more information.


2020 Recipients of the Randy Van Turner ROTC Scholarship

– Thomas Luce
– Crystal Cruz
– Destin Garcia
– Emma Latour
– James Dutton

2019 Recipients of the Randy Van Turner ROTC Scholarship

Samantha Knight

Group photo of a person receiving a check

Kylie Crooks

Photo of a person receiving a check

Emma Latour

A cadet receiving a check

James Dutton

A cadet receiving full tuition coverage check


Follow EWU ROTC

Keep up-to-date on all the latest news and notes from the EWU ROTC program and Cadet Command in general by subscribing to our website using the sign up widget in the right sidebar. You can also follow EWU ROTC at the below social media channels:

Remember if you have any questions about the ROTC National Scholarship process, please leave a comment, contact our office, or reach out to us through our social media sites. We are here to help and want you to be as successful as possible to receive an Army ROTC scholarship.

Go ROTC! Go Fighting Eags!

Two Eastern Washington University “Fighting Eagles” Cadets Complete ROTC Advanced Camp

Two more of our “Fighting Eagles” Cadets from the Eastern Washington University (EWU) Reserve Office Training Corps (ROTC) battalion recently completed Advanced Camp at Fort Knox, Kentucky.  Cadets Jameson Palmer and Andreas Brazier both graduated from Advanced Camp’s 5th Regiment on July 19th.  Not only did these two highly motivated Cadets graduate from Advanced Camp, but they both did so with receiving the highest score of “Outstanding”.

Palmer and Brazier

EWU ROTC Cadets (left) Andreas Brazier and (right) Jameson Palmer at ROTC Advanced Camp in Ft. Knox, Kentucky.


Advanced Camp is Cadet Command’s premier annual training event that assesses Cadets on their ability to conduct basic officer leadership tasks.  Cadets usually attend Advanced Camp during the summer between their junior and senior years of college.  Passing Advanced Camp is a mandatory requirement for all Cadets who want to commission as an officer in the U.S. Army after graduation.

Cadets Brazier and Palmer were our 2nd and 3rd Cadets to complete Advanced Camp this summer.  We still have 18 more “Fighting Eagles” Cadets currently participating in various regiments at Advanced Camp.  Our next Cadets to graduate in 6th Regiment are Megan Baker, Austin Pfennig, and Chad Triplett on July 24th.  With the completion of Advanced Camp Cadet Brazier is on his way to attend follow on training in Hawaii while Cadet Palmer is heading to Ft. Campbell, Kentucky for his follow on training.

Congratulations to both Cadets for not only graduating, but exceling at ROTC’s crucible training event.

Go Fighting Eags!

Eastern Washington University to Host 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb

During the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on New York City, first responders had to run up the stairwells in the World Trade Center buildings to rescue people before the building collapsed.  In honor of the first responders that lost their lives that day, a 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb has been organized on the Eastern Washington University by the campus police department.

Photo of Dressler Hall

Dressler Hall on the EWU campus.


The stair climb will begin on Wednesday, September 11, 2019 at 07:00 AM at Dressler Hall.  The World Trade Center had 104 floors and Dressler Hall has only 11 floors.  To match what first responders experienced during the 9-11 attacks, participants in the stair climb will run up the main stairs in Dressler Hall and down the fire escape 10 times.

First responders and military personnel are encouraged to run the stairs in uniform, but the general public is welcome to attend as well in gym clothes.  Parking for the event will be free in Lots P-12 and P-16.

Ariel view of Roos Field

Free parking locations at lots P-12 and P-16 for the EWU 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb


EWU ROTC encourages everyone to please come out and support first responders this upcoming 9-11 anniversary by participating in the stair climb.

Go Eags!