Second Lieutenant Hunter Smith Earns Army Achievement Medal for Recruiting Efforts

Congratulations to Second Lieutenant (2LT) Hunter Smith who earned an Army Achievement Medal for his work with the ROTC faculty as a recruiter.  After graduating from EWU with a degree in mechanical engineering this past summer, 2LT Smith joined our faculty while he waited for the start of the Infantry Basic Officer Leader Course this February, followed by Ranger School. During his time working as faculty, 2LT Smith made a major impact in recruiting and spreading the word to local high schools about the opportunity EWU ROTC provides.  We wish him all the best, safe travels and success in his upcoming training!

Professor of Military Science, LTC Van Meter presents 2LT Smith the Army Achievement Medal.

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

EWU ROTC Alumnus, 1LT Stanton, Selected to Serve in 75th Ranger Regiment

Congratulations to 1st Lieutenant Bryce Stanton, class of 2019, on successfully completing the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program (RASP 2)! He will move on to join the 75th Ranger Regiment where he will lead some of the most elite combat Soldiers in the U.S. Army. This accomplishment follows after Bryce also earned the Expert Infantry and Parachutist badges. We are thankful that we were part of his journey and now get to see him flourish as a leader serving our nation.

1LT Bryce Stanton

Fighting Eagles Battalion Opens New Obstacle Course on the EWU Campus

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

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

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:

Screenshot of a video

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