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.
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
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.
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 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.
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 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.”
Fairchild Airmen Compete for German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (Fairchild AFB website)
“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.
The Eastern Washington University (EWU) Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Cadets were out once again supporting the home football team during its quarterfinal game against University of California-Davis (UC-Davis) today at Roos Field. The two Big Sky Conference foes had played just a month earlier at Roos Field with Eastern winning by a score of 59-20. This game would prove to me much different. One of the differences was the weather which was much colder than the last time these two teams met. Throughout the day the temperatures remained below freezing with a thin layer of frost covering everything around the stadium. Despite the cold conditions the EWU ROTC Cannon Crew was ready to support the home team with our historic World War II era howitzer:
After a quick first touchdown by EWU the first half began to be controlled by UC-Davis by going up 14-7 before EWU made it a 14-14 tie game capped by an incredible defensive stand at the goal line just before halftime.
Cadet Polello fires the EWU ROTC howitzer after a home team touchdown.
Cadet Smart fires the EWU ROTC howitzer after a home team touchdown.
In the second half the sun went down making the temperatures even colder. However, our Cannon Crew was ready with a small fire to keep warm around:
The more the temperatures dropped though the more the game seemed heat up as Eastern and UC-Davis traded touchdowns.
Cadet Beier fires the historic EWU ROTC howitzer after a second half touchdown.
After UC-Davis went up by a score of 29-28 after a successful two point conversion with 1:13 left in the fourth quarter, prospects for the home team were not looking good. However, the resilient Eagles football team fought back to score a touchdown to win the game with :26 seconds left on the clock by a score of 34-29.
Cadet Beier fires the historic EWU ROTC howitzer after the final home team touchdown to win the game.
Congratulations to the EWU football team for an incredible win. The football team will be in action next weekend in the FCS Semifinals against the University of Maine. Since EWU is the higher ranked seed in the playoffs, they will host the playoff game at Roos Field in what will be the first ever meeting between the two teams. The EWU Color Guard and Cannon Crew teams will both be at the game supporting the football team. We look forward to welcoming Maine to Roos Field with the sound of our howitzer.
Between 17-18 November 2018, Eastern Washington University (EWU) hosted its first ever German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (GAFPB) test. The test was sponsored by the EWU Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), Fighting Eagles Battalion and drew 167 participants to the university to attempt to earn the highly coveted GAFPB. The participants were mix of ROTC Cadets, active duty personnel, National Guardsmen, and Reservists from across the states of Washington and Idaho. Testing for the GAFPB actually began at each unit’s home station where each participant had to successfully complete first aid and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, & Nuclear (CBRN) testing. The participants that successfully past these events then traveled to EWU campus to complete the remaining evaluated events.
In the early morning hours, GAFPB participants gather in front of Cadet Hall on the campus of Eastern Washington University.
The lead evaluator for the GAFPB test was Sergeant Major Ronald Schiller a German Army exchange officer stationed at Ft. Lee, Virginia. With sponsorship from the EWU ROTC alumni, Sergeant Major Schiller and his wife Katie were able to come Cheney to oversee the event.
EWU ROTC Assistant Professor of Military Science Greg Benjamin and German Sergeant Major Ronald Schiller address the participants before the start of the GAFPB testing.
The 100-Meter Swim Test
After an early morning event registration period, the participants began the GAFPB competition with the 100-meter swim test in full uniform. The swim test was held in the EWU Aquatics Center and supported by register lifeguards. The 100-meter swim test had to be completed in 4 minutes. After completing the swim the participants then had to tread water and remove their uniform and throw it completely out of the pool. If they lost control of their uniform and it dropped to the bottom of the pool they were disqualified. The swim test proved to be the most difficult event of the GAFPB testing since it eliminated the most participants.
The EWU Aquatics Center (picture from SGT Timothy Bowes)
GAFPB participants receive briefing before conducting the swim test in the EWU Aquatics Center.
GAFPB testing participants are ready to start the swim test.
GAFPB testing participants conduct the 100-meter swim test.
EWU ROTC Cadets Jameson Palmer (top) and Samantha (bottom) tread water as they remove their uniform.
EWU ROTC Cadet John Howard treads water as he removes his uniform.
EWU ROTC Cadet Thomas Luce treads water as he removes his uniform.
Airmen from Fairchild AFB compete in the 100-meter swim test.
The Basic Fitness Test
Following the swim test the participants then changed their clothes to execute the basic fitness test portion of the GAFPB test. The basic fitness test was held in the EWU Fieldhouse which is an indoor multiuse facility with its own indoor track. For the fitness portion of the test, each participant had to pass three events, a shuttle sprint, flexed arm hang, and 1000-meter run. The times received for each event were averaged to determine if the participant passed. Additionally different overall scores determined if the participant would receive a Gold, Silver, or Bronze GAFPB.
The EWU Fieldhouse (Picture from SGT Timothy Bowes).
Cadet Scott Hinshaw the lead Cadet Officer in Charge (OIC) of GAFPB testing mans the master scorer’s desk located inside the EWU Fieldhouse.
Cadets Scott Hinshaw and Tyler Bergman work the master scorer’s desk that provided up to the minute updates on scoring to each participant.
The 11×10 Meter Shuttle Sprint
The first event of the basic fitness test was the 11×10 meter shuttle sprint. For the shuttle sprint each participant had to begin on the ground on a mat, get up and then sprint around a cone before sprinting back to the mat. Once back at the mat they had to drop to the ground again with their arms behind their back and then get back up and sprint around the cone. The event was complete after the participant passed the cone for the sixth time.
Sergeant Major Schiller briefs the participants on the shuttle sprint event inside the EWU Fieldhouse.
Shuttle sprint participants begin facing down on the mats.
Participants conduct the 11×10 meter shuttle sprint in the EWU Fieldhouse.
Airmen and Soldiers conduct the 11×10 meter shuttle sprint.
The Flexed Army Hang Event
After a five minute rest period, the participants then had to conduct the flexed arm hang. The participants had to keep their chin above the pull up bar for as long as possible. If their chin touched or went below the bar the time stopped. The longer a participant held their chin above the bar, the more points they received.
SGM Schiller (left) briefs the evaluators for the flexed arm hang event. From left: Cadet Bryce Stanton, 2nd Lieutenant Rebecca Trout, and Major Michael Peterson.
From left, EWU ROTC Cadets Thomas Luce, Amayia Roberts, and Megan Anderson conduct the flexed arm hang event.
A Sailor and Cadets conduct the flexed arm hang event.
EWU ROTC Cadet Nicholas Null conducts the flexed arm hang event.
EWU ROTC Cadet Adam Burnside conducts the flexed arm hang event.
Cadet Liam Hewey conducts the flexed arm hang event.
The 1,000-Meter Run
After completing the flexed arm hang event, the participants next conducted a 1,000-meter run. For the 1,000-meter run eight participants at a time had to run 5-laps around the Fieldhouse’s indoor track. The evaluators provided by the EWU ROTC battalion track the number of laps and recorded the time for the participants.
Cadets Megan Anderson (left) and Cheyenne Sweet (right) briefs sailors, soldiers, and Cadets on the standards for the 1,000-meter run event.
Cadet Megan Anderson briefs Soldiers and Airmen on the standards for the 1,000-meter run.
EWU ROTC Cadet Cheyenne Sweet evaluates participants as they conduct the 1,000-Meter Run event.
EWU Cadre member Captain Nicholas Carbaugh conducts the 1,000-Meter Run.
US Navy Sailor, PO3 Travis Rathe conducts the 1,000-Meter Run.
Pistol Qualification
After the completion of the basic fitness test the participants once again changed clothes into their duty uniforms to conduct the pistol qualification event. The pistol qualification event was conducted at the Medical Lake Department of Corrections Range. For the pistol qualification the participants had to successfully engage three targets located 20-meters away with five rounds loaded in the M9 pistol. Three hits on the three targets was a Bronze score, four hits on the three targets was a Silver score, and 5 hits on the three targets was a Gold score. After the completion of the pistol qualification event each participant was released for a mandatory rest period to prepare for the ruck march scheduled for the next morning.
The Medical Lake Department of Corrections Range (Photo by SGT Timothy Bowes).
Participants inspect their targets at the pistol qualification range (Photo by SGT Timothy Bowes).
Ruck March
In the early morning hours the GAFPB participants staying in the EWU Cadet Hall had an early wakeup call to prepare for the ruck march that morning. For the ruck march event each participant had to carry 35 pounds of weight at different distances based on their performance the previous day. For the participants still in the running for a Gold badge they had to march 12 kilometers (7.46 miles) in 120 minutes or less. The participants in the running for the Silver badge had to march 9 kilometers (5.6 miles) in 90 minutes or less. The participants still in the running for the Bronze badge had to march 6 kilometers in (3.75 miles) in 60 minutes or less. The ruck march course took the participants on a tour around the beautiful EWU campus.
Participants prepare their gear in below freezing temperatures in the early morning hours in front of Cadet Hall.
EWU ROTC Cadet Matthew Jeffs ruck marches by one of the entrance signs to Eastern Washington University.
Washington Army National Guard recruiter Timothy Bowes ruck marches along side EWU ROTC Cadet Liam Hewey around the EWU campus.
A soldier from 4-23 Infantry from Joint Base Lewis-McChord ruck marches around the EWU campus with his unit’s guide on.
A group that included two Navy Sailors, an airmen, and two EWU ROTC Cadets ruck march around the EWU campus.
Airmen from the 92nd Security Forces Squadron at Fairchild Air Force Base participated in the GAFPB testing to include the Squadron Commander Major Joseph Schneider pictured on the right.
Gonzaga University Cadets participate in the ruck march event.
EWU ROTC Cadet Ryan Smith gives two thumbs up during the ruck march around the EWU campus.
EWU ROTC Cadets Kylie Crooks and Matthew Jeffs are all smiles during the ruck march around the EWU campus.
GAFPB participants ruck around the EWU campus.
GAFPB participants ruck around the EWU campus.
EWU ROTC Cadets Austin Bristow, Ethan Smart, and Austin Pfennig participate in the ruck march event.
Award Ceremony
After the completion of the ruck march event the participants next attended the award ceremony to recognize those that had met the standard to be awarded a GAFPB. The award ceremony was held in the EWU Fieldhouse where friends, family, and alumni were all there to support the participants. In total 94 participants out of the initial 167 received a GAFPB. 35x Gold, 54x Silver, and 5x Bronze GAFPBs were awarded.
The German Armed Forces Proficiency Badges (GAFPB) are on the table ready to be awarded.
The EWU ROTC historic World War II Jeep named “Lil Eag” was on display for the award ceremony.
GAFPB awardees stand in formation in the EWU Fieldhouse.
Before awarding the GAFPB’s, Sergeant Major Schiller provided some motivational comments to all the participants and thanked the EWU alumni for sponsoring the event.
SGM Ronald Schiller addresses the crowd and GAFPB participants at the EWU Fieldhouse.
Sergeant Major Schiller addresses the crowd while backdropped by a HMMWV provided by the Washington Army National Guard for the award ceremony.
EWU ROTC Class of 1967 graduate, Lieutenant Colonel (R) Jerry Mellick (left) takes a picture with German Sergeant Major Ronald Schiller. Mr. Mellick representing the EWU alumni who helped sponsor the GAFPB testing also addressed the participants to let them know how impressed he was by everyone’s motivation and what they had accomplished.
SFC Eddie Quimby (far right) a US Army Recruiter responsible for the Cheney area assisted EWU ROTC by serving as a GAFPB evaluator. SFC Quimby poses with EWU ROTC Cadets (from left) Kylie Crooks, Ryan Smith, Collin Galbreath, and Samantha Knight.
2018 German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge Awardees
Gold GAFPB
Silver GAFPB
Bronze GAFPB
Name
Unit
Name
Unit
Name
Unit
CDT Thomas Luce
EWU
CDT Tyler Bristow
EWU
CDT Libby Glover
EWU
CDT Jameson Palmer
EWU
CDT Evan Jones
EWU
SGT Joshua Hedberg
SARC Office
CDT Nicholas Null
EWU
CDT Adam Burnside
EWU
SN Mitchell Statton
Navy
CDT Cesar Guzman
EWU
CDT John Howard
EWU
A1C Danielle Petika
92nd Medical Group
CDT Devantae Hall
EWU
CDT Ethan Smart
EWU
SSG Justin Cartwright
A/341st
CDT Haley Bent
EWU
CDT Samantha Knight
EWU
CDT Kylie Crooks
EWU
CDT Ryan Smith
EWU
CDT Chad Triplett
EWU
CDT Joseph Jordan
EWU
CDT Jack Bowen
Univ. of WA
CDT Liam Hewey
EWU
CDT Robert Mitchell
Univ. of WA
CDT Matthew Jeffs
EWU
2LT Vanessa Munro
Univ. of WA
CDT Tyler Roylance
EWU
CDT Taylor Polson
Univ. of WA
CDT Kaylie Watters
EWU
CDT Ian Zipp
Univ. of WA
CDT Carly Garland
EWU
PO3 Travis Rathe
Navy
CDT Austin Pfennig
EWU
2LT John Corey
Univ. of Idaho
CPT Nicholas Carbaugh
EWU
CDT Joshua Lyons
Univ. of Idaho
CDT Collin Galbreath
EWU
CDT Jacob Skelton
Univ. of Idaho
CDT Everett Kuhnel
EWU
SSG Gregory Hanshaw
1041st Trans. Co.
SGT Timothy Bowes
WA National Guard
SGT Justin Andrusak
4-23 IN
SSG Joseph Sleyko
SARC Office
PFC Sawyer Hein
4-23 IN
SSG Robert Hauser
SARC Office
CDT Gabrielle Powers
WSU
CDT Samuel Haffly
Univ. of WA
SPC Jerod Rubalcava
1-161 IN
CDT Graham Harper
Univ. of WA
SSG James Martin
C-112
CDT Madeline Musard
Univ. of WA
Maj Joseph Schneider
92nd SF Squadron
CDT Abigail Carter
Univ. of Seattle
SrA Joseph Pace
92nd SF Squadron
CDT Austin Groseclose
Univ. of Seattle
Amn Bruin Dew
92nd SF Squadron
CDT Christina Johnson
Univ. of Seattle
CDT Chad Barker
Gonzaga
CDT James Evans
Univ. of Idaho
CDT Lindsey Evers
Gonzaga
MSgt Joseph Nash
92nd Maint. Squadron
CDT Grady Gosselin
Gonzaga
TSgt Kenneth Chudoba
92nd Maint. Squadron
CDT James Jolliffe
Gonzaga
SSgt Brandon DeVera
92nd Maint. Squadron
CDT Sean Leriche
Gonzaga
SSgt Christopher Munro
92nd Maint. Squadron
CDT Alexander Murray
Gonzaga
A1C Sterling Fiske
92nd Maint. Squadron
CDT Evan Powell
Gonzaga
A1C Calvin Magcalas
92nd Maint. Squadron
CDT Benjamin Wuthritch
Gonzaga
LTC Michael McCarthy
92nd Medical Group
CDT Madison Woodworth
CWU
A1C Tyler Corter
92nd Medical Group
SPC Jordan Overman
4-23 IN
PFC Ryan Hamilton
4-23 IN
PFC Jared Kyger
4-23 IN
PFC Austin Jones
4-23 IN
SGT Stanley Hutchinson
4-23 IN
SSG Evan Hebenstreit
4-23 IN
PV2 Alex Toepfer
4-23 IN
CDT Tevita Feiloakitau
WSU
CDT Rikul Patel
WSU
SGT Justin Hiatt
1-161 IN
SPC Zachary Maier
C-112
SSG Nathan Snyder
WA NG Honor Guard
SPC Zachary Berg
WA NG Honor Guard
SGT Zachary Flynn
WA NG Honor Guard
CDT Bryson Barian-Garcia
Gonzaga
CDT Zion Kirk
Gonzaga
CDT Mike Sodervick
Gonzaga
CPT Jason Baggot
Gonzaga
CDT Kai Covey
CWU
Unit and Individual Statistics
The top overall unit from the GAFPB testing was the Eastern Washington University Fighting Eagles Battalion which was awarded 26x total GAFPBs.
25x EWU ROTC Fighting Eagles Battalion Cadets and 1x Cadre member take a group picture wearing their well deserved German Armed Forces Proficiency Badges.
The Top 5 units overall were:
EWU with 26x GAFPBs (8x Gold, 17x Silver, 1x Bronze)
Gonzaga Univ. with 12x GAFPBs (8x Gold, 4 Silver)
4-23 IN (JBLM) with 9x GAFPBs (2x Gold, 7x Silver)
Univ. of Wash. with 8x GAFPBs (5x Gold, 3x Silver)
Maint. Squadron (Fairchild AFB) with 8x GAFPBs (8x Silver)
Congratulations to everyone that was awarded a German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge. We hope everyone had a great time visiting the EWU campus and spending the weekend in the Spokane area. The EWU ROTC Fighting Eagles Battalion plans to host the GAFPB test again next year in November 2019. For those that didn’t pass or want to earn a Gold badge there will be an opportunity to do so next year. Likewise personnel who have not attended the GAFPB test before are encouraged to do so. Better yet try and beat the best individual scores from this year.
To conclude I want to give special thanks to everyone who made the 2018 GAFPB testing such a success. Planning was led by the EWU ROTC Assistant PMS Captain Gregory Benjamin and assisted by the EWU ROTC Senior Military Science Instructor Sergeant First Class Jason Hennig. Cadet planning for the GAFPB test was led by Cadet Scott Hinshaw and Megan Anderson. We also appreciate all the support from the Washington Army National Guard and the US Army Recruiting command station in Cheney for the GAFPB testing. Another thank you goes to all of our evaluators who worked with SGM Schiller to assure everyone was graded fairly. Further thanks goes to our alumni in particular Mr. Jerry Mellick for helping to sponsor this great event. Finally we want to thank Sergeant Major Ronald Schiller and his wife Katie for flying out to Eastern Washington University to oversee and be the lead evaluator for the GAFPB testing. The extreme amount of professionalism by everyone involved made the GAFPB testing a great success.
Go GAFPB! Go ROTC! Go Fighting Eags!
Award Ceremony Photos
Below are photos from the award ceremony held in the EWU Fieldhouse. Feel free to download and share all these photos with your friends and family.
Gold GAFPB Awardees:
Silver GAFPB Awardees:
Bronze GAFPB Awardees:
25x EWU ROTC Fighting Eagles Battalion Cadets and 1x Cadre member take a group picture wearing their well deserved German Armed Forces Proficiency Badges.
