LTC Van Meter Represents EWU ROTC at Eastern Edge Event, “Defending the Digital Horizon”

EWU ROTC Professor of Military Science, LTC Van Meter, speaks at Eastern Edge cybersecurity panel

On March 11th, Lieutenant Colonel Van Meter represented the Military Science Department as part of an expert panel on cybersecurity during an Eastern Edge session in Spokane. The event, titled “Defending the Digital Horizon,” was meant to help advise local businesses about cybersecurity best practices and showcase the educational opportunities at EWU. LTC Van Meter explained that students can receive a U.S. Army scholarship to study computer science and gain leadership skills through ROTC. Graduates could then choose to serve full-time or part-time in the Army as Cyber Operations Officers after graduation and receive continuing education benefits to earn IT/cybersecurity certifications. Local business leaders definitely liked the idea of their employees getting industry standard training through the Army Reserve or National Guard at no cost to their business!

Fighting Eagles Battalion Completes Winter Field Training Exercise

Cadets of the EWU Fighting Eagles Battalion at the completion of their Winter FTX.

On February 26th, the EWU Fighting Eagles Battalion conducted its Winter Field Training Exercise (FTX), the culminating training event for the quarter. The purpose of the FTX is to test Cadets on the leadership and tactical skills in high-pressure scenarios. The entire Battalion worked together to make this event successful. The cadre served as coaches and provided mentorship throughout the exercise. MSIVs/MSVs (seniors) served as evaluators, opposition force role-players, and support staff. The MSIIIs (juniors) served as squad leaders (responsible for ~9 soldiers) and were the primary group under evaluation. The MSIIs (sophomores) served as team leaders (responsible for ~3 cadets) and the MSIs (freshmen) filled each of the teams.

Team Leaders provide guidance and direction to their teams prior to executing a mission.

The framework for evaluating MSIII cadets’ ability to lead tactical missions is the Army Leadership Requirements Model.  This model lists and defines the three key attributes (character, presence, and intellect) and 3 key competencies (leads, develops, and achieves) required to be an effective Army leader.

The Army Leadership Requirements Model is the framework for evaluating Cadets’ leadership and tactical performance.

The Winter FTX provided cadets the opportunity to continue developing critical skills such as effective communications, personnel management/delegation, resource management, and crisis management. it was a long and hard day, but the cadets finished with experiences, camaraderie and growth also their journey to become better versions of themselves as leaders.

 

MSIII Cadet Sergeant Browning carries a member of his squad while practicing tactical combat casualty care.

 

The final event of the FTX- Cadets march behind the EWU ROTC guidon (flag) on their ruck back to Cadet Hall on EWU’s campus.

Celebration of the 70th Anniversary of ROTC at EWU planned for June 17th, 2022

Join us to celebrate 70 years of ROTC at EWU!

The Fighting Eagles Battalion is hosting a celebration of the 70th Anniversary of ROTC at EWU on Friday, June 17th, 2022.  We cordially invite ROTC alumni, family and friends to come and celebrate with us.  The Anniversary event will be Friday morning, followed by the Class of 2022 commissioning in the afternoon.

Follow this link for additional timeline and location details:
https://www.ewu.edu/alumni/ewu-rotc-70th-anniversary/

EWU ROTC Fighting Eagles Battalion Fall 2021 GPA Highlights

EWU ROTC Fighting Eagles Battalion recognizes the scholarly accomplishments of its Cadets in the Fall 2021 quarter.  Academic performance in their college classes is essential to every Cadets’ success in the ROTC program and is a key pillar of the ROTC officer model – scholar, athlete, leader. Many of our Cadets are finding success navigating their academic experience and we are proud of them representing the Fighting Eagles Battalion and EWU!

20 EWU ROTC Cadets Earn Distinguished Scholar for Fall Quarter 2021

Congratulations to the Fighting Eagles Battalion 2021 Distinguished Scholars who demonstrated academic excellence in their respective degree programs! This includes Cadets who made the Dean’s List or achieved excellence as a nursing or master’s degree student.  These individuals have shown they are committed to being a scholar, athlete and leader.  Great job for representing the Fighting Eagles Battalion and Eastern Washington University!

The Fall 2021 Recipients of the Distinguished Scholar Award

MSI (Freshman) Class:

Aceyona Gamino – Pasco, Wa – Business
Ellie Brandhagen – Spokane, Wa – PreNursing
Jack Barclay – Exercise Science
Mary Kovell – Bothell, Wa – Music

MSII (Sophomore) Class:
Nik Chapple – Glendora, Ca – International Business
Kristen Buckingham – Kirkland, Wa – Exercise Science

MSIII (Junior) Class:
Josh Browning – Spokane, Wa – Entrepreneurship
Jessica Dundas – Spokane, Wa – PreNursing
Joseph Flippen – Spokane, Wa – History
Daisy Palencia – Prosser, Wa – Computer Science
Kaitlynn Taylor – Plains, Mt – Human Resources
Chandler Tomason – Charlevoix, Michigan – Sociology
Sam Yancey – Spokane, Wa – Mechanical Engineering

MSIV & MSV (Senior) Class:
Valentino Olmstead – Pullman, Wa – Forensic Science
Corina Lindsey – Bellingham, Wa – Criminal Justice
Adam Burnside – Rancho Cucamonga, Ca – Business Management
Thomas Luce – Spokane, Wa – History Education
Everett Kuhnel – Camas, Wa – Geography
Zachary Becker – Liberty Lake, Wa – MBA
Kaylie Meyers-Watters – Cheney, Wa – Nursing

For Third Year in a Row, EWU Army ROTC Recognized with Top Instructor Award

The Eastern Washington University (EWU) Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), “Fighting Eagles” battalion is pleased to announce that for the third year in a row one of our faculty members has been recognized with a U.S. Army Cadet Command Instructor of the Year Award.  Sergeant First Class (SFC) Ratliff was recognized as the 2021 Non-Commissioned Officer Instructor of the Year out of all 274 ROTC battalions across the country.

SFC David Ratliff