EWU logo

    • Apply
    • Academics
    • Athletics
    • Calendar
    • Community
    • About
    • InsideEWU
    • Canvas
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

EWU Army ROTC

Eastern Washington University

  • Home
  • News
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Calendar
  • Faculty
  • Scholarships
    • Contracting Options
    • Minuteman Scholarship
    • Nursing Scholarship
    • Randy Van Turner ROTC Scholarship
  • Training
    • Facilities
    • Additional Training Opportunities
    • Ranger Challenge
    • Color Guard
    • Cannon Crew
  • Alumni
    • EWU Military Science Hall of Fame
    • Eastern Washington University ROTC Graduates
    • Gold Star Alumni
    • EWU ROTC PMS’s
  • SHARP
  • FAQ
    • EWU ROTC History
    • U.S. Army Cadet Command History
    • Newsletters
    • History of the Army Song

News

Winter FTX Challenges Fighting Eagles Cadets on Squad Level Tactical Skills

04/07/2021 by jstafford3 Leave a Comment

From March 5-6, 2021, The “Fighting Eagles” battalion from the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program at Eastern Washington University (EWU) conducted their winter field training exercise (FTX). This FTX was the culmination of all the training the Cadets have conducted at weekly Leadership Labs this quarter. The primary goal of the FTX was to test our MS-III (Junior) Cadets on leading a squad sized element and giving tactical experience to the MS-II (sophomore) and MS-I (freshman) Cadets in a field environment.

Cheney Waterworks Property

On Friday the Cadets and Cadre worked to setup the lanes, draw rifles, and ammunition.  On Saturday morning the Cadets then met up at 0400 at Cadet Hall and deployed out to the Cheney Waterworks for the FTX.  At the Waterworks there was 5 training lanes that the Cadets would be evaluated on during the FTX:

  1. movement to contact
  2. squad attack
  3. ambush
  4. area recon
  5. defense

The Cadets for the FTX were issued M4 rifles and M249 Squad Automatic Weapons (SAW) with blank rounds along with SINCGARS radios.  Carrying the real weapons, blank ammunition, and tactical radios allowed the Cadets to experience what it is like to carry the additional weight for an extended period of time.  The weapons loaded with blank ammunition also allowed the Cadets to practice weapons safety by enforcing procedures to prevent negligent discharges.

For the Movement to Contact lane, the squad leader received the mission and went through their troop leading procedures (TLPs) to execute the mission. As the squad moved through the lane, they received fire from an enemy Opposing Force (OPFOR) composed of MS-IV and National Guard role players. Once the squad received fire, the squad leader maneuvered the squad to counterattack the enemy and eliminate the threat.

Movement to Contact
Cadets react to enemy contact.

For the Squad Attack lane the squad leader knew the exact location of the OPFOR.  Once the squad leader finished their planning and rehearsals, they would lead their squad near the location and set up their support by fire and assaulting element.  Once the squad leader initiated the fight, the support by fire element would fire on the enemy while the assaulting element would go through the objective to clear it.  The squad attack lane was made extra hard due to the need stealthy approach the enemy without being detected while simultaneously trying to get around a small lake.

Cadet Patrick Coleman issues orders to his squad over the radio.

For the Ambush lane the squad leader had to position their squad on the objective where the enemy will be traveling through. After planning, the squad leader would position their squad in the path that the OPFOR would be walking through. Once the OPFOR entered a designated kill zone the squad would initiate the ambush.  An added challenge for this lane was that the OPFOR after being attacked would retreat into an old junk yard.  This meant the Cadets had to maneuver and fight through the junkyard to eliminate the enemy threat.

Cadet Adam Burnside assaults through a junkyard ambush.

The next lane was the Area Recon. Here the squad leader had to plan for a mission where their squad had to locate an enemy force without detected.  While observing the enemy, the Cadets had to collect Priority Intelligence Requirements (PIR) which were then sent to the higher command element via radio.  The added challenge on this lane was that the Cadets conducting the recon had to cross a road which is known tactically as a linear danger area without being detected.

Cadet Josh Browning looks for the enemy.

The final lane was squad level defense.  While in a patrol base the squad was attacked by the OPFOR.  To help the Cadets detect the OPFOR trying to infiltrate their perimeter, trip wires that ignited signal flares were used.  This added extra realism to the lane that feature much fire, smoke, and noise in an effort to create a chaotic environment to challenge the Cadets.

A member of the OPFOR sets off a trip flare during the platoon defense lane.

With a very early morning start, cold temperatures, and constant activity, the EWU ROTC Cadets where tested both physically and mentally during the Winter FTX. This training is used to prepare our MS-III Cadets for Advance Camp at Ft. Knox, Kentucky this summer.  Advanced Camp is a requirement for all MS-III Cadets to pass in order to commission as Army officers.  The 37-day Advanced Camp is why the Fighting Eagles battalion conducts challenging training to prepare the MS-III Cadets as much as possible for camp.  Next quarter the battalion has even more challenging training planned in conjunction with Gonzaga University ROTC to further prepare the Cadets to succeed during summer training.

Go ROTC!  Go Fighting Eags!

Note: You can see and download more pictures from the Winter FTX from our EWU Army ROTC Flickr page.

Filed Under: FTX Information Tagged With: ambush, Army ROTC, assault, defense, Eastern Washington University, EWU Army ROTC, Field Training Exercise, FTX, movement to contact, recon, Winter FTX

EWU Army ROTC Sponsors Eagles Madden Challenge 2021

03/09/2021 by jstafford3 Leave a Comment

Eagles Madden 2021

This year in conjunction with the restart of the Big Sky football season, EWU Army ROTC is sponsoring the Eagles Madden Challenge 2021 video game tournament.  The tournament will begin on March 19th and registration is currently open until March 18th at 7PM Pacific time.  Anyone can enter the tournament; so if you are current student at Eastern, someone still in high school, or alumni it doesn’t matter you can enter.  There is also cash prizes for the winners with the overall winner receiving $150.

The tournament will be played over X-box One with the following rules:

Exhibition Mode

  • Fatigue: On
  • Injuries: Off
  • Quarter Length: 5 Minutes
  • Game Skill: All-Madden
  • Accelerated Clock: Off
  • Weather: Clear

Full details of the rules, the various cash prizes, and how to register for the tournament can be found at this link.  Feel free to comment or send us a message through our Contact page with any questions you may have.  Go Eags!

Filed Under: Cadre Messages Tagged With: Eastern Washington University, EWU Army ROTC, Madden, video games

Inside EWU Features ROTC Nursing Cadets Making a Difference

03/09/2021 by jstafford3 Leave a Comment

A couple of our nursing Cadets were featured on the university’s Inside EWU webpage for their efforts to help administer the COVID-19 vaccine to the public in the Spokane area.  Here is an excerpt:

A year into the COVID-19 pandemic, Eastern Washington University students continue to show they are Eagle Strong by supporting the ongoing and ever changing public health efforts. EWU ROTC nursing cadets are taking action to help our region recover by administering vaccines to educators and volunteering at vaccine sites.  [Inside EWU]

You can read more at the link, but we appreciate the university reporter Miranda Reed for reaching out and writing the article about our outstanding nursing Cadets.  EWU Army ROTC offers nursing scholarships to incoming and current students at Eastern. If you are looking to become a health care professional while serving your country and making an impact locally consider enrolling into an ROTC course.  More details about our nursing program and the scholarships available can be read at the below link.  Eagle Strong!

Nursing Scholarship

Filed Under: Nursing Tagged With: Army ROTC, coronavirus, COVID-19, Eastern Washington University, EWU Army ROTC, Nursing, vaccine, vaccines

EWU Army ROTC Cadets on the Defensive During Leadership Lab

03/05/2021 by jstafford3 Leave a Comment

On March 4, 2021 the Cadets from the Eastern Washington University (EWU) Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program conducted it’s final Leadership Lab of the Winter Quarter before departing the Winter Field Training Exercise (FTX) this weekend.  The Leadership Lab was held on the Cheney Waterworks property near the EWU campus.  After drawing equipment and conducting pre-combat checks the Cadets moved out to their training locations that were spread out around the property.

Cadets move out to conduct training.

Like our prior labs, the MS-III Class, which is comprised of Junior level students, led the squads during the training because they are preparing to attend Advanced Camp at Fort Knox, Kentucky within the next 3-4 months. Providing as realistic training as possible to prepare them for camp is extremely important since passing Advanced Camp is a mandatory requirement for all Cadets who want to commission as an officer in the U.S. Army after graduation.

MS-III Cadet, Patrick Coleman takes a defensive position during Leadership Lab training.

MS-III Cadet, Olivia Roble holds a defensive position.

The focus for this lab was to train the Cadets on how to conduct a defense.  While the Cadets were in their patrol base the squad leaders had to put their squad members out into security positions to defend it.  While the Cadets were pulling security other Cadets who role played the Opposing Force (OPFOR) element launched an attack on the patrol base.

MS-IV Cadet, Austin Bristow role played as the OPFOR during the Leadership Lab.

After the OPFOR elements were neutralized the Cadets then ended the exercise by conducting an After Action Report (AAR) that was facilitated by MS-IV Cadet and Cadre facilitators to bring out lessons learned from the training.  Overall it was a great lab that prepared the Cadets to excel during the upcoming weekend Winter FTX.

Eagle Strong!

Note:  You can see and download more pictures from the training from our EWU Army ROTC Flickr page.

Filed Under: Lab Information Tagged With: Army ROTC, Eastern Washington University, EWU Army ROTC, Leadership Lab

Fighting Eagles Cadets Learn Ambush Skills at Leadership Lab

03/05/2021 by jstafford3 Leave a Comment

On February 25, 2021 the Cadets from the Eastern Washington University (EWU) Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program conducted it’s 8th Leadership Lab of the Winter Quarter at the Cheney Waterworks property. After drawing equipment and conducting pre-combat checks the Cadets moved out to conduct their training.

Cadets ready for lab.

Like our prior labs, the MS-III Class, which is comprised of Junior level students, led the squads during the training because they are preparing to attend Advanced Camp at Fort Knox, Kentucky within the next 3-4 months. Providing as realistic training as possible to prepare them for camp is extremely important since passing Advanced Camp is a mandatory requirement for all Cadets who want to commission as an officer in the U.S. Army after graduation.

MS-III Cadet, Thomas Luce served as a squad leader during the training.

During this lab the Cadets learned how to conduct a squad ambush.  An ambush is a surprise attack from a concealed position on a moving or temporarily halted target.  Ambushes are categorized as hasty or deliberate.  A hasty ambush is when the unit makes visual contact with an enemy and has time to establish an ambush without being detected.  A deliberate ambush is conducted at a predetermined location against an enemy element that meets the commander’s engagement criteria.

MS-II Cadet, Cierra Neumann positions herself to conduct an ambush.

The different squads each had their own training lanes where they had to setup each type of ambush against other Cadets that rolled played an opposing force (OPFOR) enemy.  Once the OPFOR walked into the squad’s kill zone the squad leader which initiate the signal to begin the ambush.  After the initial firefight the squad then had to assault through the objective, secure the area, and search for any intelligence information to report over the radio to their higher headquarters.  The Cadets once again did a great job conducting the lab and learning the basics for another tactical skill that will help them succeed at Advanced Camp.

Eagle Strong!

Note:  More pictures from the Leadership Lab training can be viewed on our EWU Army ROTC Flickr page.

Filed Under: Lab Information Tagged With: Army ROTC, Eastern Washington University, EWU Army ROTC, Leadership Lab

Snow Can’t Stop EWU Army ROTC Cadets from Being on the Attack

02/24/2021 by jstafford3 Leave a Comment

On February 18, 2021 the Cadets from the Eastern Washington University (EWU) Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program conducted its Squad Attack Leadership Lab at the Cheney Waterworks property.

Cadets are ready for training.

The MS-III Class, which is comprised of Junior level students, led the squads during the training because they are preparing to attend Advanced Camp at Fort Knox, Kentucky within the next 5-6 months. Providing as realistic training as possible to prepare them for camp is extremely important since passing Advanced Camp is a mandatory requirement for all Cadets who want to commission as an officer in the U.S. Army after graduation.

MS-III Cadet, Everett Kuhnel directs members of his unit during Squad Attack training.

For the Squad Attack training each squad leader knew the exact location of the objective where the Opposing Force (OPFOR) role players would be located.  Once the Squad Leader finished their planning and rehearsals, they would lead their squad near the OPFOR’s location and set up their support by fire and assaulting element. Once the Squad Leader initiated the fight, the support by fire element would fire on the enemy while the assaulting element would go through the objective to clear it.  After securing the objective the Cadets would then search the area and the OPFOR for any intelligence information before leaving the area and reporting what they found.

Cadet Kaitlynn Taylor rushes through the snow during Squad Attack training.

The snow and cold from the Eastern Washington winter added additional challenge to the Leadership Lab training, but our Cadets showed how Eagle Strong they are by staying motivated and conducting some excellent training.

Go Fighting Eags!

Note: You can see more pictures from this Leadership Lab on our EWU Army ROTC Flickr Page.

Filed Under: Lab Information Tagged With: Army ROTC, Eastern Washington University, EWU Army ROTC, Leadership Lab

  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to page 3
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Go to page 47
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Scholarships Calendar Alumni Army Nursing Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube

Search EWU ROTC

Latest News

Winter FTX

Winter FTX Challenges Fighting Eagles Cadets on Squad Level Tactical Skills

Eagles Madden 2021

EWU Army ROTC Sponsors Eagles Madden Challenge 2021

Inside EWU Features ROTC Nursing Cadets Making a Difference

Recent Comments

  • jstafford3 on New Cadet Command Fitness Assessment Implemented for Students Looking to Contract into Army ROTC
  • Kyle on New Cadet Command Fitness Assessment Implemented for Students Looking to Contract into Army ROTC
  • jstafford3 on ROTC Minuteman Scholarships Guarantee Cadets Duty in the U.S. Army Reserves or National Guard
  • L. Jambard on ROTC Minuteman Scholarships Guarantee Cadets Duty in the U.S. Army Reserves or National Guard
  • Eric Jenkins on EWU Military Science Hall of Fame: Major General Scott G. West

ROTC Links

  • 8th ROTC Brigade Orders
  • Army ROTC-Youtube
  • EWU Foundation
  • EWU ROTC Facebook
  • Go Army ROTC Site
  • ROTC Blackboard
  • US Army Cadet Command
  • US Army Cadet Command News

Army Links

  • Army Homepage
  • Defense Travel System
  • Enterprise Army Email
  • Evaluation Entry System
  • Milconnect
  • My Pay
  • Preliminary Loss Reports
  • US Army Pay Charts

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org
Eastern Washington University
509.359.6200 • Contact Information
EWU expands opportunities for personal transformation through excellence in learning.
  • About EWU
  • Accessibility
  • Campus Map
  • Visit EWU
  • Diversity
  • InsideEWU
  • EWU Libraries
  • Jobs
  • Campus Locations
  • Canvas
  • Leadership
  • EWU Foundation
  • Privacy Policy
  • Rules Docket

© 2021 Eastern Washington University