For anyone that sees a nurse this week make sure to thank them in recognition of National Nurses Week that runs from 6-12 May. This week was selected in honor of Florence Nightingale who was born on May 12, 1820. Ms. Nightingale is widely considered the founder of modern nursing. She came to prominence managing and training nurses to care for injured British soldiers during the Crimean War. In 1860, Ms. Nightingale established a professional nursing school at St Thomas’ Hospital in London. It was the first secular nursing school in the world, and is now part of King’s College London. Nurses in the United States take an oath after becoming a nurse called the Nightingale Pledge.
Florence Nightingale
For anyone interested in continuing the work of Florence Nightingale and becoming a professional nurse, the Eastern Washington University (EWU) Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program graduates nursing Cadets every year. After graduation the nurses serve on Active Duty or in the US Army Reserve in the US Army Nurse Corps.
(Left) Cadet Koby Binks, an ROTC graduate of the WSU College of Nursing, receives the Norton Healthcare Award for nurse cadets at Cadet Summer Training. Photo by Mattie Cook. (Right) Candace Madriaga, an ROTC student at the WSU College of Nursing, was honored with the Norton Healthcare Award at Cadet Summer Training. Photo by Madison Thompson.
Our nurse Cadets complete their first two to three years of Nursing and ROTC pre-requisites on Eastern’s Cheney campus. Nursing Cadets complete their final two years at the Washington State University (WSU) College of Nursing in downtown Spokane. The WSU College of Nursing reserves seats in each class for ROTC Nurses that achieve their admissions standards.
Nurses in ROTC complete the same training requirements as other Cadets. However, our program has several options to manage Nursing Cadets through the rigors and demands of a tough academic field while completing ROTC requirements. One of the best benefits available is the financial support provided by a ROTC scholarship.
Army ROTC Nursing Scholarship Benefits:
Full tuition OR room and board and all mandatory fees
Book stipend up to $1,200 per year
A monthly stipend of $420
Required student nurse uniforms and clinical supplies
Nurse malpractice insurance (provides coverage during clinical rotations)
Milestone Recognition Awards (based on progress through the program)
Littman stethoscope ($200.00 value)
NCLEX-RN review materials and fees and the licensure testing fee and a drug guide ($950.00 value)
On May 2, 2019 the Eastern Washington University (EWU) Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program conducted its annual Award Ceremony. The ceremony was held in the Reading Room of the historic Hargreaves Hall on the EWU campus. The Award Ceremony is an opportunity for various organizations in the Spokane region to recognize outstanding EWU ROTC Cadets. It is also an opportunity to recognize Cadets with awards they received through national competitive nominations. Below are the pictures of all the presenters and Cadets that received awards during the Ceremony. Big thank you to all the organizations, EWU faculty, alumni, and supporters that came out to support out Fighting Eagles Cadets. Go ROTC! Go Fighting Eags!
Michor Gentemann presents the Association of the United States Army award to Cadet Kylie Crooks. Cadet Crooks stewardship contributed greatly to advance the military science department.
Michor Gentemann presents the Association of the United States Army Military History Award to Cadet Ian House. Cadet House has demonstrated the ability to balance Military Science requirements, extracurriculars and academics while maintaining a solid GPA.
Cadets Christian Goldbach and Jennafer Knight please come forward. Larry Neil presents the U.S. Reserve Officers Association awards. These Cadets are recognized for their contribution to advance the objectives of ROTC through citizenship, knowledge of civic responsibility, military orientation, self-discipline, and work ethic. Cadet Goldbach earned the Silver award and Cadet Knight earned the Bronze award. Congratulations to these Cadets.
LTC Stafford presents the Daughters of the Founders and Patriots of America award to Cadet Patrick Coleman. Cadet Coleman is recognized for displaying a high degree of excellence in military knowledge, leadership potential and reflects the ideals of patriotism.
John Davis presents the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War to Cadet Megan Baker. Cadet Baker epitomizes a high degree of patriotism, academic performance, and leadership.
Steven Epperson, Rob Weaks and Ken Holmes present the Special Forces Association Major General Robert Frederick Award to Cadet Josiah Bryan. Cadet Bryan earned this award for his incredibly sound tactical judgment.
Dean Wilson presents the American Legion Military and Scholastic Excellence awards to Cadets Scott Hinshaw and Jacob Villasenor. For Military Excellence, Cadets Hinshaw and Villasenor demonstrated academic excellence and a high level of military knowledge and leadership and discipline. Cadet Hinshaw earned the ‘gold’ award and Cadet Villasenor receives the ‘silver’ award.
For Scholastic Excellence, Cadets Bryce Stanton and Samantha Knight demonstrated scholastic excellence as well as the maturity and professional bearing that set an outstanding example for others. Cadet Stanton receives the ‘gold’ award and Cadet Knight receives the ‘silver’ award. Congratulations to each of these recipients.
Curlie Werner presents Cadet Emma LaTour the National Sojourners award. She demonstrated the ideals of Americanism, and she possesses the potential for outstanding leadership.
Curlie Werner presents the Scottish Rite Americanism Award to Cadet Cheyenne Sweet. Cadet Sweet distinguishes herself by exhibiting qualities of dependability, good character, citizenship and patriotism.
Randy Howard and Terry Lowery presents the Military Order of the Purple Heart Award to Cadet Austin Pfennig. Cadet Pfennig distinguished himself by demonstrating outstanding leadership as well as being active in the community, school, and ROTC.
LTC Stafford presents the Military Order of the World Wars ‘gold, silver, & bronze’ awards. These Cadets have distinguished themselves scholastically and by excelling in ROTC.
Cadet Guzman receives the Gold medal.
Cadet Drohman receives the Silver medal.
Cadet Burnside receives the Bronze medal.
Stan Wills presents the Sons of the American Revolution award to Cadet Evan Lien. Cadet Lien is recognized for showing a high degree of merit in military qualities, soldierly bearing, and all around excellence in ROTC.
Stan Wills presents the General Society of the War of 1812 award to Cadet Christopher Milward. Cadet Millward distinguished himself through a positive attitude, outstanding participation, and leadership attributes.
Mike Sevy presents the United Services Automobile Association Spirit Award to Cadet Jameson Palmer. Cadet Palmer was selected for his dedication to the community, university, and ROTC program.
LTC Stafford presents the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association award to Cadet Robert Wheeler. Cadet Wheeler has exemplified academic success and discipline as an engineering major while participating in his MSIII year of ROTC.
LTC Stafford presents the 101st Airborne Division Association Award Oregon Cascade Chapter to Cadet Coy Odiorne. Cadet Odiorne is in the top third of the ROTC class, and he possesses the traits of valor and fidelity requisite for an Airborne Soldier.
Dan Hillman presents the Veterans of Foreign Wars Award to Cadet Chad Triplett. Cadet Triplett has distinguished himself in ROTC through his diligence and concentrated effort in many areas of character and military leadership.
LTC Stafford presents the National Defense Transportation Association Award to Cadet John Howard, which he earned through a competitive process within our brigade. Cadet Howard distinguishes himself for outstanding accomplishments in logistics and leadership abilities, and he is branching into the Transportation Corps.
LTC Stafford presents the American Veterans of World War II award to Cadet Kyle Stanton. Cadet Stanton distinguished himself by his demonstrated discharge of duty and willingness to serve. Cadet Stanton sets a high standard in leadership and dedication to the Army and ROTC program.
LTC Stafford presents the Superior Cadet Decoration award to Cadets Bryce Stanton, Samantha Knight, Valentino Olmstead and Isabelle Erickson. These awards are presented to the Cadet of each class who are ranked number one based on overall grades, fitness and military excellence.
LTC Stafford presents the ROTC Distinguished Military Graduate Award to Cadets Bryce and Kyle Stanton. These cadets have distinguished themselves on the basis of moral character, military aptitude, academics and demonstrated leadership ability. Distinguished Military Graduates rank in the top 20 percent of Army ROTC graduates nationwide. Bryce also represented the Fighting Eagles at the George C. Marshall seminar.
LTC Stafford presents the EWU Army ROTC Certificate of Recognition and a plaque to Cadet Andreas Brazier. He has displayed outstanding academic and leadership attributes in ROTC, the community, and the University.
LTC Stafford presents the EWU Army ROTC Certificate of Recognition and a plaque to Cadet Kyle Collins. He has displayed outstanding academic and leadership attributes in ROTC, the community, and the University.
LTC Stafford presents the EWU Army ROTC Certificate of Recognition and a plaque to Cadet Liam Hewey. He has displayed outstanding academic and leadership attributes in ROTC, the community, and the University.
LTC Stafford presents the EWU Army ROTC Certificate of Recognition and a plaque to Cadet Everett Kuhnel. He has displayed outstanding academic and leadership attributes in ROTC, the community, and the University.
LTC Stafford presents the EWU Army ROTC Certificate of Recognition and a plaque to Cadet Lucas McCune. He has displayed outstanding academic and leadership attributes in ROTC, the community, and the University.
LTC Stafford presents the EWU Army ROTC Certificate of Recognition and a plaque to Cadet Sara Polello. She has displayed outstanding academic and leadership attributes in ROTC, the community, and the University.
LTC Stafford presents the EWU Army ROTC Certificate of Recognition and a plaque to Cadet Olivia Roble. She has displayed outstanding academic and leadership attributes in ROTC, the community, and the University.
LTC Stafford presents the EWU Army ROTC Certificate of Recognition and a plaque to Cadet Ethan Smart. He has displayed outstanding academic and leadership attributes in ROTC, the community, and the University.
LTC Stafford presents the EWU Army ROTC Certificate of Recognition and a plaque to Cadet Jacob Whitmer. He has displayed outstanding academic and leadership attributes in ROTC, the community, and the University.
Cadet Erling Anderson earned the Reserve Officer Association Gold Award and the Society of the American Military Engineers Award. Cadet Anderson earned the engineer award through a competitive process within our brigade. Due to a class conflict Cadet Anderson was not able to attend, but his mother accepted the award on his behalf.
Cadet Haley Bent due to a class conflict was not able to attend the ceremony. She earned the Daughters of the American Revolution Award, the National Defense Industrial Association Award, and the Cadet of the Year award. She also graduates as a Distinguished Military Graduate. She also represented the Fighting Eagles Battalion at the Mission Command Conference at West Point, New York.
SGT Timothy Bowes (National Guard), Felicia Jensen (Deans Office), Courtney Susemiehl (Philanthropy), SFC Eddie Quimby (USAREC), and the Spokane County Fire District #3: Station 31 were recognized with certificates and tokens in appreciation of their support to the ROTC program over the past year.
LTC Jonathan Stafford awards a Meritorious Service Medal to Sergeant First Class (SFC) Jason Hennig for his two years of outstanding dedication and performance to the Fighting Eagles Battalion.
The Eastern Washington University (EWU) Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program was extremely proud to have three Cadets selected as finalists for the annual EWU Student Leader Excellence Awards. The award ceremony was held on April 24th, 2019 in the Pence Union Building (PUB) on the beautiful EWU campus. The awards recognize Eastern students and organizations for their leadership accomplishments in various award categories. The EWU ROTC “Fighting Eagles” Battalion had the following Cadets selected as finalists for Student Leader Excellence Awards:
Haley Bent / EWU Everyday Leader Award
Melinda Leen / Soaring Eagle Individual Service Award
Kaylie Watters / City of Cheney Award
From left: Kaylie Watters, Haley Bent, Melinda Leen
Of our three finalists two of them would go on to win an award. Cadet Leen was first recognized as the recipient of the Soaring Eagle Individual Service Award. This award goes to the EWU student who has demonstrated leadership in community service in the local Cheney/Spokane community. Melinda was highly deserving of this recognition due to her role running the EWU ROTC volunteer program.
Cadet Melinda Leen receives her award as the 2019 Soaring Eagle Individual Service Award winner.
Cadet Kaylie Watters receive her 2019 City of Cheney Award from Mayor Chris Grover.
Kaylie Watters was our next Cadet to win an award. She was recognized as the 2019 City of Cheney Award winner. The award goes to the student or organization who models good citizenship and participates in community activities and service projects within Cheney.
Kaylie Watters is poses with her 2019 City of Cheney Award.
Since 2013 Watters has worked for the Cheney Parks and Recreation department as a lifeguard and swim instructor. As an instructor, she taught dozens of young children living in Cheney the important life skill of knowing how to swim. Kaylie has also since 2015 served as the Cheney Sharks Swim Team Coach. During the academic year she trains 20 kids on the team for two days every week. During the summer time she trains over 30 kids on the team for five days a week in preparation for regional swim meets. Watters also participated in the November 2018 Turkey Trot race that Cadet Leen organized ROTC involvement with that helped to collect 300 pounds of food that were donated to the Cheney Food Bank.
Our finalist and two award winners are perfect examples of the leadership and high character of our Fighting Eagles Cadets. Congratulations to these very deserving and outstanding Cadets. Go ROTC! Go Fighting Eags!
EWU ROTC Professor of Military Science, Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Stafford (center) is pictured with award winners Melinda Leen (left) and Kaylie Watters (right).
United States Army Cadet Command (USACC) recently sent Cadets to attend the Mission Command Conference (MCC) held at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. Only 100 Cadets from the thousands that make up the 274 Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) programs across the country were selected. The Eastern Washington University (EWU) ROTC program nominated Cadet Haley Bent to attend the MCC. Cadet Bent is a senior, studying Business who was the EWU ROTC “Fighting Eagles” Battalion Commanding Officer (CO). Earlier this year Bent was also recognized as a Distinguished Military Graduate, an honor given to only the Top 20% of Cadets across the country.
EWU ROTC Cadet, Haley Bent attends the Mission Command Conference at the US Military Academy.
Her nomination to attend the MCC was approved and she attended the conference between 17-18 April 2019 with 100 other ROTC Cadets and the 2019 US Military Academy commissioning class. Prior to the conference Cadets were tasked to read the book “Black Hearts” by Jim Frederick and optionally read “Platoon Leader” by retired Colonel James “Jim” McDonough. During the MCC, Cadet Bent participated in a fireside chat with Jim McDonough and was given the opportunity to ask questions and discuss McDonough’s experiences as a platoon leader in Vietnam and how he handled corruption, insubordination, and overall tactics during the war.
Cadets listen to panelists at the Mission Command Conference
Cadet Bent was also able to participate in a panel discussion with former Soldiers from the “Black Hearts” book. The Soldiers discussed events described in the book involving operations in Iraq’s “triangle of death” that led to some Soldiers from the platoon committing murder of Iraqi civilians. The Cadets in attendance were able to talk to the former Soldiers on the panel and ask them their views on why some Soldiers in their unit went into such a downward spiral that led to murder. Their multiple perspectives gave Cadets the chance to understand the events at a Soldier and leader level as well as discuss the moral and ethical decisions made by Soldiers in the unit. Following the panel, the ROTC Cadets were then taken to the West Point Visitors Center to explore the history of the Academy and the overall history of warfare.
The Mission Command Conference was a great opportunity for the Cadets in attendance to better their leadership skills and moral/ethical decision making. Cadets learn through the ROTC program that doing the right thing isn’t always easy, but it is always the best choice. Eastern Washington Army ROTC strives to build Second Lieutenants of character and we look forward to what our future commissioning officers, like Haley Bent will bring to our Army.
Great job by the Fighting Eagles Cadets that participated in the community service ruck march on April 13, 2019. The Cadets rucked donated supplies they gathered from downtown Spokane to the Spokane Veterans Home in support of the Travis Manion Foundation and the Inland Empire Rucknuts organizations.
EWU ROTC Cadets take picture in front of the Spokane River after completing their ruck march over to the Spokane Veterans Home. Back Row (left to right): Cadets Austin Bristow, Ethan Smart, Hunter Smith, Riley Williams, Destin Garcia, Liam Hewey, Chad Triplett, Coy Odiorne; Front Row (left to right): Cadets Nikoly Andrade, Austin Pfennig, Samantha Knight, Melinda Leen, Andrew Norby, Ian House
There are plenty of great reasons to attend Eastern Washington University (EWU), but here is another reason; The Chronicle of Higher Education has recognized Eastern Washington University (EWU) as being the 9th best public college in the United States for women studying Computer Science.
The EWU Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program is a great option to consider pursuing a computer science degree through. We have many different scholarship programs to help students pay for tuition, books, and fees and even a monthly living expense stipend.
Give our Enrollment Officer a call at 509-359-6110 to learn more.
EWU ROTC Cadet, Haley Bent attends the Mission Command Conference at the US Military Academy.
