jstafford3 – Page 40 – EWU Army ROTC

German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge Testing Allows Army Captain to Reconnect with Eastern Washington University

11/17/2018 by jstafford3

This weekend the Eastern Washington University (EWU) ROTC, Fighting Eagles Battalion is hosting the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (GAFPB) testing. Over 150 Cadets, active duty servicemembers, National Guardsmen, and Reservists are competing to earn the GAFPB. Besides being an outstanding training and competitive event, the GAFPB testing has also allowed one Army Captain the opportunity to reconnect with his alma mater. Captain Levi Floeter is a 2008 EWU graduate earned his officer commission through the university’s ROTC program. Captain Floeter branched into the Infantry and has had a successful career that included serving as an Army Ranger. While leading a successful Army career Captain Floeter even found time to publish a book, the “New Army Officer’s Survival Guide: Cadet to Commission Through Command“.

Captain Floeter is currently assigned to the University of Washington ROTC Kinnear Husky Battalion. This weekend he helped lead a group of University of Washington Cadets to compete in the GAFPB testing at EWU. Captain Floeter is another example of an EWU ROTC graduate doing great things in our Army. Welcome back Captain Floeter!

Go Fighting Eags!

What Are the Benefits of Being An Army Nurse Compared to Pursuing A Civilian Nursing Career?

11/16/2018 by jstafford3

One of our top degree programs in the Eastern Washington University (EWU) ROTC battalion is nursing. Due to the high number of nursing Cadets, the Fighting Eagle Battalion is one of the few ROTC units that commissions Army nurses. While discussing an Army nursing career with prospective students a question that often comes up is what are the benefits or Army nursing compared to pursuing a civilian nursing career?

World War II Army Nurse Corps recruiting poster.

Being an Army nurse or a civilian nurse are both extremely rewarding career paths, but when comparing the benefits, being an Army nurse does have some major advantages. Besides the financial support the ROTC program provides to nursing students, the Army also provides superior pay and benefits when compared to a civilian nursing career. When Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is included an Army nurse generally has high starting pay. You can research the BAH rate for different Army locations at this link. The Army also provides a robust retirement package that features a fixed pension, a 401k like program, and lump sum options when servicemembers become full retirement eligible after 20 years of service. See the below chart for a full comparison of Army and civilian nursing careers.

	Army Nurse	Civilian Nurse
Starting Pay	$61,255.08 -1/3rd non-taxable!	$69,830.40 -Income fully taxed
Pay After 4 years	$100,375.28 -1/3rd non-taxable!	$92,196.00 (average) -Income fully taxed
Retirement	Eligible for pension of 40% of base pay at 20 years of service. Pension of ~$50,000 begins immediately upon retirement from military service (based on 2022 data). Government matching up to 5% of contributions from base pay into the Thrift Savings Plan (similar to 401k). Also eligible for Social Security at age 62.	Social Security eligible at 62 or older. Possible hospital 401k plan, but cannot draw benefits until 55 or older and there isn't a guarantee of returns on investments.
Pay Raise	Automatic annually until 4 years. Automatic every two years after. No negotiation or actions required.	Determined by hospital
Paid Leave	30 days per year	14 days per year
Paid Sick Leave	Unlimited	Limited
Medical/Dental	Free	Possible discounted rate depending on hospital
Moving Expenses	Free	At own expense
Facilities	Free access to golf course, large gyms, shopping mall without sales tax, commissary (grocery store) with reduced prices, etc.	Facilities paid at own expense
Life Insurance	$400,000 term policy for $27 a month	At own expense
Job Security	Keep rank and seniority no matter where you move	Seniority could be lost if moving to another hospital
Travel	Opportunity to be stationed around the US and internationally	Limited to the US

Something that can’t be quantified is the feeling of service to the United States and the high level of leadership training Army officers receive. If Army nursing is something that interests you, please review our EWU ROTC nursing webpage for more information about our program.

Go Army Nursing! Go Fighting Eagles!

EWU ROTC Battalion Sponsors German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge Testing

11/13/2018 by jstafford3

The Eastern 24/7 website just ran a great article about the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (GAFPB) testing going on this weekend, 17-18 November 2018 at Eastern Washington University:

Cadet Sam Coutts briefs Cadets before conducting swim test training at the EWU Pool.

On the weekend of Nov. 17-18, service members from locations across the Pacific Northwest will be competing at Eastern Washington University for an award deemed highly sought-after by the United States military.

The German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge is a decoration that can be awarded to soldiers of all ranks, provided they pass a series of rigorous tests meant to challenge physical endurance and military training. [Eastern 24/7]

You can read the whole article at the link, but hosting the GAFPB testing at EWU is very rare opportunity for Cadets and servicemembers alike to be awarded a foreign military badge that they will be authorized to wear on their uniforms. It is expected that 160+, Cadets, active duty personnel, National Guard, and Reservists will participate in the test. For those that past each event, based on their score, they will be awarded a Gold, Silver, or Bronze badge from the German Army Sergeant Major the EWU ROTC battalion is flying out to evaluate the event.

For those interested in watching the event and cheering on the competitors the schedule is below. All the swim events will be in the EWU pool and the athletic events will be in the field house. Strip maps will be available for anyone that wants to drive out to where the pistol qualification is happening. The testing will be going on all day on Saturday. The footmarch on Sunday will be on a course that goes around the university campus. This a great opportunity to cheer on the competitors that morning. It is going to be a great event that I hope friends, family, and alumni of the EWU ROTC Fighting Eagle Battalion take time to come and visit.

2018 EWU ROTC GAFPB Testing Schedule

17NOV

0700: Welcome Brief and chalk breakdown
0730-1700: Swim Test, Basic Fitness Test, and pistol qualification

18NOV

0800: Footmarch Brief
0830-1100: Footmarch
1200: Awards Ceremony
1300: Catered Meal

Grandstaff Library on Joint Base Lewis-McChord Memorializes Former EWU ROTC Cadet

11/12/2018 by jstafford3

For most Soldiers stationed or visiting Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), they don’t realize that the post library on this expansive military base has ties back to the Eastern Washington University (EWU) Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) battalion.

The Grandstaff Library on Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

The library is named after Medal of Honor Recipient and former EWU ROTC Cadet Bruce A. Grandstaff.

The Entrance to the Grandstaff Library on Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

Bruce Grandstaff enrolled in what was then Eastern Washington State College in 1952. Back then every male had to enroll into ROTC. Two years later in 1954, Grandstaff decided to enlist into the Army. He spent two years in the Army before returning to Eastern Washington State College to continue his military science studies in 1956.

The inside of the Grandstaff Library.

After getting married in 1958 Grandstaff decided to reenlist in the Army in 1961. He would have a successful Army career and be promoted to Sergeant First Class (SFC). In 1967 he was deployed to Vietnam as a Platoon Sergeant in B Company, 1-8 Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division which was then stationed at Ft. Lewis, WA. SFC Grandstaff’s platoon in May 1967 was participating in Operation Francis Marion near the Cambodian border. The operation was intended to protect the la Drang Valley from attack by the North Vietnamese Army. During the operation SFC Grandstaff’s platoon of 30 personnel became surrounded by an estimated 700 enemy soldiers.

Memorial plaque outside of the Grandstaff Library.

The battle lasted for 5 hours and SFC Grandstaff was wounded in both legs as he rallied his men into a defense, coordinated helicopter strafing runs, and artillery fire against the attacking North Vietnamese troops. In a final act of courage SFC Grandstaff ordered an artillery strike on top of his position. Ultimately it would not be enough as the beleaguered defenders were eventually over run by the sheer size of the attacking enemy. The vast majority of the platoon to include SFC Grandstaff were killed in the final assault by the North Vietnamese Army troops. At the time of his passing SFC Grandstaff had already been recognized with a Silver Star for prior combat actions in Vietnam, but for his heroism along the Cambodian border he was posthumously recognized with the Congressional Medal of Honor as well.

Display inside of the Grandstaff Library with SFC Grandstaff’s Medal of Honor citation.

To this day SFC Grandstaff is the only Spokane born recipient of the nation’s highest honor for combat heroism. He is also the only former EWU ROTC Cadet to ever be recognized with the Congressional Medal of Honor as well.

This Veteran’s Day weekend it is well worth spending a few minutes reading about the heroism of SFC Grandstaff’s by reading the linked chapter from the book “Nine Days in May: The Battles of the 4th Infantry Division on the Cambodian Border“.

ROTC Color Guard Presents Colors During EWU Women’s Basketball Game Against Gonzaga

11/12/2018 by jstafford3

Our Eastern Washington University (EWU) Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Color Guard was looking great again in support of the EWU Women’s Basketball team. The Color Guard presented our nation’s colors before tip off against the Gonzaga Bulldogs at Reese Court. The EWU Women’s basketball team unfortunately lost in a competitive game by a score of 63-51. Below are pictures of our awesome EWU ROTC Color Guard. Go Color Guard! Go Eags!

The Color Guard waits court side prior to the playing of the National Anthem.

The EWU ROTC Color Guard marches out on to Reese Court to present the colors.

The Color Guard is ready to march out to center court.

Here is a closer look at the Color Guard.

The Color Guard presents the colors during the playing of the National Anthem.

Eastern Washington University Honors Veterans and Cadets During 2018 Military Appreciation Day Game

11/11/2018 by jstafford3

November 10, 2018 was more than just a huge college football showdown between #4 ranked University of California-Davis (UC-Davis) and the #5 ranked Eastern Washington University (EWU), it was also the university’s annual Military Appreciation Day game. As part of the day’s festivities Cadets from the EWU Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Fighting Eagles Battalion were invited to the VIP alumni area before the game. The University President Dr. Mary Cullinan met with the Cadets and took pictures with them before they departed to support pre-game activities.

From left: Professor of Military Science, Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Stafford, Samantha Knight, Megan Anderson, Dr. Mary Cullinan, Megan Baker, Cheyenne Sweet, and Melinda Leen.

As part of the pre-game activities Cadets, active duty military personnel, and veterans from the local community stretched an oversized American flag across Roos Field. The EWU ROTC Cadets had been practicing all week to execute the pre-game show despite the cold weather that has arrived in Eastern Washington this week. The practice paid off as both the Color Guard and the flag team performed flawlessly during the event.

EWU ROTC Cadets pose for a group photo before executing the pre-game show as part of Military Appreciation Day activities on November 10, 2018 at Eastern Washington University.

EWU ROTC Cadets Samantha Knight, Megan Anderson, Megan Baker, Cheyenne Sweet, and Melinda Leen prepare to conduct Color Guard duties. (Photo from Mr. Jerry Mellick)

Cadet Commanding Officer Haley Bent (center) poses with the EWU Color Guard. (Photo by Mr. Jerry Mellick)

EWU ROTC Cadets prepare to unfurl a large American flag as part of pre-game activities.

EWU ROTC Color Guard prepared to march on to Roos Field. (Photo by Mr. Jerry Mellick)

The EWU ROTC Color Guard and Cadets present flags during the singing of the National Anthem. (Photo by Mr. Rob Riedel)

Cadets Samantha Knight, Megan Anderson, Megan Baker, Cheyenne Sweet, and Melinda Leen execute Color Guard duties before the November 10, 2018 home football game. (Photo by Mr. Rob Riedel)

Besides conducting pre-game activities, the EWU ROTC battalion also executed its cannon crew duties during the game.

EWU ROTC Cadets pose with the battalion’s historic World War II pack howitzer. (Photo by Mr. Rob Riedel)

EWU mascot, Swoop made time to visit with the cannon crew. (Photo by Mr. Rob Riedel)

After every home team touchdown the cannon crew fires the cannon much to the jubilation of the home crowd.

Cadet Jazmin Castrejon fires the historic pack howitzer after a touchdown.

At halftime a contracting ceremony was held on the 50-yard line. Cadets Michael Beier and Kylie Crooks 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 battalion.

Michael Beier (left) and Kylie Crooks (right) take Oath of Enlistment from Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Stafford. (Photo by Mr. Rob Riedel)

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. The first Oath of Enlistment under the Constitution was approved by an Act of Congress on September 29, 1789. It applied to all commissioned officers, noncommissioned officers, and enlisted Soldiers in the United States military.

EWU ROTC Cadets take the Oath of Enlistment at halftime of the EWU Military Appreciation Day game. (Photo by Mr. Rob Riedel)

The oath would receive minor modifications during the 1800’s, but the current oath recited by the contracting Cadets has remained unchanged since 1959. The current Oath of Enlistment reads:

“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.

EWU ROTC Cadets Michael Beier (left) and Kylie Crooks (right) repeat the Oath of Enlistment into the microphone. (Photo by Mr. Rob Riedel)

After the halftime contracting ceremony the Fighting Eagle Cadets would fire the cannon 5 more times after an offensive barrage of touchdowns from the home team.

Newly contracted Cadet, Kylie Crooks fires the historic pack howitzer after a 2nd half touchdown.

The EWU football team would ultimately defeat UC-Davis by a score of 59-17, which capped off a memorable Military Appreciation Day for everyone involved. For anyone wanting to see more pictures from the game, EWU ROTC alumni, Mr. Jerry Mellick has his photos posted at this link.

From all the Cadre at the EWU ROTC battalion we hope everyone has a great Veterans Day weekend.

Go ROTC! Go Eags!