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Fighting Eagles Battalion Opens New Obstacle Course on the EWU Campus

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EWU Army ROTC on May 4, 2021 opened its new obstacle course adjacent to Cadet Hall on the EWU campus.  The obstacle course opening was attended by the 8th ROTC Brigade Commander Colonel Ben Bird, the EWU President Dr. David May, many other college officials, alumni, and supporters.

EWU Army ROTC Professor of Military Science, Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Stafford provides opening remarks before the opening of the obstacle course.

The $10,000 obstacle course was funded by alumni donations and allows EWU Army ROTC to better train Cadets attending Advanced Camp, competing for Airborne/Air Assault schools, and the Ranger Challenge team.

EWU Army ROTC Cadet, John Drohman hurdles over an obstacle.
Cadet Isabell Pannell climbs a wall obstacle.
Cadet Charles Golding climbs the rope obstacle.

Cadets were timed as they ran through the obstacle course with the Cadet receiving the top time receiving the “Iron Eagle” trophy from the PMS.  MS-1 Cadet Nik Chapple ended up having the fastest time during the inaugural opening of the obstacle course.

Cadet Nik Chapple holds his Iron Eagle trophy.

At the end of the obstacle course demonstration COL Bird presented the PMS, LTC Jonathan Stafford and the Assistant PMS, Major Nick Carbaugh with their end of tour awards.  Both officers served for three years at EWU Army ROTC and are now moving on to the next assignments, LTC Stafford to Japan and MAJ Carbaugh to Germany.

COL Ben Bird the 8th ROTC Brigade commander presents Meritorious Service Medals to LTC Jon Stafford and MAJ Nick Carbaugh.

More pictures from the obstacle course opening can be viewed on our EWU Army ROTC Flickr page.

The Army ROTC FY 2022 Accessions Timeline

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The FY22 Accessions Timeline has been released for Cadets that will be commissioning in the Fall 2021 and the Spring 2022 Semesters. Cadets in this accessions window will be the second cohort of Cadets to receive their branches through the Army’s new talent based branching process.

Upcoming Key Dates:

  • 20 April – 29 August – HireVue Interview Period
  • 20 April – 29 August – Update interim branch preferences in the TBB website
  • 01 September – If AV “candidate” – Class 1A Flight Physicals completed
  • 01 Sept. – 05 Oct. – Branches review files and conduct follow up interviews
  • 6-7 October – Educational Delay Board
  • 8 October – If AV “candidate” – Class 1A Flight Physicals Completed
  • 16 September – Component Selection results released
  • 18 October – Branch Ratings released to Cadets via TBB Website
  • 25 October – Cadet Final Branch Preferences Due in TBB website
  • 01 – 06 November – USACC Branching Board
  • 09 November – Release Branch Results for Dec./Jan. Graduates
  • 01 December – Release of Spring 21 Branching Assignments

Interviews

From 20 April-29 August, Cadets branching in FY22 need to be conducting their interviews with the branches they are interested in over the HireVue app.  Any Cadet that has not received an email from HireVue needs to immediately contact their HRA.  The branches will view the HireVue interviews and then contact Cadets for follow up interviews.  These interviews are extremely important in the branching process and Cadets need to take them seriously.  Make sure you either wear your uniform or dress formally for the interview.  Ensure you shave, get a haircut, and groom yourself appropriately.  You only have one chance to make a good first impression!

hirevue

Component Selection

By October 25, 2021 all Cadets will need to submit into the Talent Based Branching website what their final component choice is.  By component this means whether you want to go on Active Duty or be part of the National Guard or Army Reserves.  Cadets that are on a Guaranteed Forces Duty (GRFD) scholarship must access into either the National Guard or Army Reserves as specified in the scholarship contract.  On September 16, 2021 is when accessing Cadets will learn will component they accessed into.  The below chart provides details on how the component selection process works.

Branching

Form April 20th – August 29th is when Cadets must have their interim branch preferences updated on the Talent Based Branching (TBB) website as well. Cadets must also specify on the TBB website whether they want to submit a Branch Active Duty Service Obligation (ADSO) for the branches they are interested in.  Cadets can now submit as many Branch ADSO’s as they want.  What the ADSO does is move the Cadet to the top of the bin that the branch has rated the cadet.  Each branch gives Cadets either a “Least Preferred”, “Preferred”, or “Most Preferred” rating.  The ADSO does not allow Cadets to jump bins, it just puts the Cadet at the top of their rated bin.

talent based branching

Cadets also volunteer for branch detail assignments through the TBB website as well.  A branch detail means you serve in one branch for your lieutenant years before transitioning into another branch when promoted to Captain.  Volunteering for a branch detail can increase your odds of receiving a high demand branch.

On October 18, 2021 all accessing Cadets will receive their branch ratings through the TBB website.  Cadets can then use these preferences to inform their final branching decision.  For example if a Cadet has Infantry initially ranked #1 and Armor #2, but Infantry gave the Cadet a “preferred” rating and Armor gave a “most preferred” rating; the Cadet has the opportunity to change Armor to #1 to ensure they branch armor.  Any changes to Cadet branch preferences based off of the interim branch preferences need to be made by October 25, 2021.  For Cadets who are commissioning in the Fall 2021 term they will receive their final branching assignment on November 09, 2021 and Cadets commissioning in the Spring 2021 term will receive their branch assignment on December 01, 2021.

Good luck to all the FY21 Cadets going through the new branching process.  If anyone has any questions regardless of which ROTC program they belong to, feel free to leave a comment and we will get back to you with a response.

Go ROTC!  Go Fighting Eags! 

USACC Commanding General Provides Update on 2020 Cadet Summer Training

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The Commanding General of the United States Army Cadet Command (USACC) has provided an update on the way ahead for Cadet Summer Training (CST) this year in response to the current COVID-19 pandemic.  Most notably Cadet Troop Leader Training (CTLT), the Nurse Summer Training Program (NSTP) and summer internships for all Cadets will not be conducted this year. Cadet attendance at advanced military training schools such as Airborne and Air Assault, is still being reviewed.  Likewise no decision on the way ahead for Advanced and Basic Camp have been made either.  Click the image below to watch the video of MG Evans giving his CST update:

MG Evans’s full letter to all ROTC Cadets and cadre can be read below as well:

Message to Cadets from Maj. Gen. John R. Evans, Jr.
Dear Future Army Leaders,
We are facing extraordinary times in our country and I know you have questions about how the COVID-19 outbreak will impact your future with ROTC and our Army. I want to reach out to you, directly, to give you an update on what we know right now.
First, to our MSIVs, we will endeavor to find a way to commission you on time and do everything within guidance to get you to your Basic Officer Leadership Course at the earliest opportunity. In conjunction with the Secretary of the Army, I will do what I can to waive any ROTC requirements that you are unable to finish prior to commissioning. Until we know exactly what that will look like, I encourage you to continue your studies in pursuit of graduation, stay fit, and stay engaged with content at your level that you can control with regard to ROTC.
Second, to our MSIIIs who are anticipating attendance at Advanced Camp this summer; we are looking at how to execute camp requirements. We do know that with the current restrictions, Advanced Camp will not be executed on the original schedule, but we are exploring options for the way forward. It is important that you know that I promise no Cadet will be disadvantaged based on their ability to attend or not attend Advanced Camp. Cadet Advanced Individual Training may be altered or cancelled depending on the evolving situation.
Third, for our lateral entry Cadets; we are looking at different options to conduct Basic Camp. Stay tied-in with your cadre for updates as they are available.
These are unprecedented times for all Americans. Your health and safety are utmost in the minds of all Senior Army Leaders, and are driving decisions as we make these adjustments. My advice to all of you is to stay patient, maintain your studies and sustain your physical fitness regimen. Most importantly, follow the guidance of local, state and federal health officials in order to maintain not only your health but that of your community members.
Together we will all come through this if we all do our part.
Leadership Excellence!
Sincerely,
John R. Evans, Jr.
Major General, U. S. Army Cadet Command

EWU Army ROTC Cadet Receives the Major General Barbara R. Holcomb Nurse Cadet Excellence Award

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The Eastern Washington University (EWU) Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program is pleased to announce that Kylie Crooks has been awarded the Major General (MG) Barbara R. Holcomb Nurse Cadet Excellence Award.  The award recognizes the top nursing Cadet in the 8th ROTC Brigade that covers the 30 different ROTC programs across the west coast of the United States to include major universities such as USC, UCLA, Oregon, Washington, Washington St. etc.  MG Barbara Holcomb is a 1987 graduate from the Seattle University’s ROTC program and the former Chief of the Army Nurse Corps.  She retired from active duty last year and established this award to recognize nursing excellence in the brigade.

Kylie Crooks
EWU Army ROTC Cadet, Kylie Crooks.

Cadet Crooks is studying nursing and is on pace to graduate with honors.  She has also demonstrated a high level of physical fitness by scoring above 90 points on each event of the Army Physical Fitness Test.  She has further demonstrated her fitness by receiving a Gold German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (GAFPB) during testing held by German Army officials at EWU.  She was also selected for a Randy Van Turner ROTC Scholarship that is currently paying her full tuition.  Kylie last summer completed ROTC Advanced Camp at Ft. Knox, Kentucky where she received the highest rating of “Outstanding”.  Besides being a Cadet, Kylie also serves as a watercraft engineer in the U.S. Army Reserve’s 467th Transportation Company.

After graduating from EWU and the Washington State University College of Nursing in December 2020, Kylie will commission as an officer into the U.S. Army Nurse Corps.  She will then attend basic officer training and be assigned to an Army hospital where she hopes to specialize in being an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurse.  She also has a long term goal of pursing a Doctorate Nurse Practitioner in the future. EWU Army ROTC wishes Cadet Crooks all the best in her future endeavors and congratulate her for receiving this prestigious award.

Cadet Crooks
Cadet Crooks after completing a 12-mile ruck march.

Is Army Nursing for You?

Any EWU student who wants to be a healthcare professional and has an interest in serving their country should consider Army nursing.  If you are not sure if the Army is for you, ROTC is the one way to explore military service with no obligation to join.  Our nursing Cadets complete their first two to three years of Nursing and ROTC pre-requisites on Eastern’s Cheney campus. The nursing Cadets then 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.  To qualify for one of the reserved nursing seats you must make the decision to contract into ROTC by then.

EWU Army ROTC currently has the largest Cadet nursing program in Washington State and the Inland Northwest.  We have a proven track record of our nursing Cadets receiving scholarships and going on to become healthcare professionals in service to our nation.  You can learn more about our nursing program at this link and feel free to contact us at this link with any questions.

Go ROTC!  Go Army Nursing!

Eastern Washington University ROTC Cadet Completes Internship at the National Forensic Science Technology Center

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Congratulations to Eastern Washington University (EWU) Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Cadet, Valentino Olmstead for recently completing his summer internship with the at the National Forensic Science Technology Center (NFSTC) located in Largo, Florida on the campus of Florida International University.

Valentino Olmstead holding his certificate of completion for his internship.

During his internship Cadet Olmstead was exposed to the latest cutting edge technology utilized for biometric and forensic identification.  Some of the skills students learn at NFSTC is to examine and develop fingerprints, chemical detection and analysis, media/cellular exploitation, and improvised explosive device (IED) investigations.

Cadet Olmstead was selected for the Forensic Internship Program through a Cadet Command sponsored competitive nomination process that required him to demonstrate academic excellence, physical fitness, and high character.

You can learn more about the internship process at the below link:

The Cadet Command Internship Process

Once again congratulations to Cadet Olmstead for successfully completing this prestigious internship.

Go ROTC!  Go Fighting Eags!

EWU ROTC’s Hosting Of German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge Testing Featured on Multiple Media Outlets

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The recent hosting of the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (GAFPB) test by the Eastern Washington University (EWU) ROTC program has brought a lot of positive media attention to the Fighting Eagles Battalion.  Below is a list of the articles published about the GAFPB with short excerpts.  Click the links to read the full articles.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jessica Dillow, 92nd Medical Operations Squadron medical technician, performs the marksmanship test during the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge Competition hosted 17-18 November, 2018 by Eastern Washington University ROTC. (Photo Credit: A1C Lawrence Sena)
  • Eastern Washington University ROTC Hosts First German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge Competition (US Army website)

“The individuals who competed for the GAPFB this weekend, whether they earned a badge or not, are an excellent example of why the United State military is so great,” stated Sergeant First Class Jason Hennig, EWU ROTC’s Senior Military Instructor. “They recognized the opportunity for a unique challenge, they accepted that challenge, and gave it everything they had. Readiness is the Army’s number priority and this event absolutely reinforced that. The Service Members that prepared for these events were rewarded with the opportunity to wear this unique foreign award. For those who did not prepare, they were left with the understanding of how important rehearsals and preparation are to any exercise or training event.”

“Wearing the GAFPB is a symbol of pride,” said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Ken Chudoba, 92nd Maintenance Squadron Munitions Material section chief. “The badge shows Airmen stepped outside their comfort zone and did something to set themselves apart.”

There were more than 160 participants from 23 different military units throughout the Pacific Northwest region, including Air Force recruiters, Air Force ROTC recruits and four units from Fairchild.

Competing for the GAFPB provides an opportunity to test the physical and mental skills Airmen may use in battlefield situations and provides a first-hand look at how German forces measure their combat readiness, said U.S. Air Force Maj. Joseph Schneider, 92nd Security Forces Squadron commander.

  • ROTC Cadets Compete for Military Proficiency Badge (Eastern 24/7)

“We have cadets who have transferred to Eastern for its ROTC program,” said Capt. Gregory Benjamin, assistant professor of military science. “This event is an opportunity to highlight what the ROTC program brings to the university and what the school does in return.”

  • EWU ROTC Takes Top Spot in Military Badge Competition (The Easterner)

Null competed for the honor to wear the GAFPB along with 167 other members apart of 22 different U.S. military units throughout the West Coast. Other universities that competed included: Gonzaga University, University of Idaho, Washington State University, Seattle University, University of Washington and Central Washington University.

“To me, it means that I’ve come much farther than I ever would’ve had I not been here,” Null said. “It means that I’ve been doing all the right things. I’ve been working to achieve, not just the gold for the GAFPB, but it means I’m likely to get commissioned in the Army and that I’m likely to put myself on the path to a brighter future.”

Airmen from Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington participate in the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge competition hosted by Eastern Washington University, November 17th and 18th. The competition is an opportunity to reinforce German and American alliances, and allows members of the US Armed Forces to experience how allied forces stay mission ready.

Go GAFPB!  Go Fighting Eagles!