Advanced Camp – EWU Army ROTC

The U.S. Army Officially Cancels 2020 Cadet Summer Training at Ft. Knox

05/12/2020 by jstafford3

Today the U.S. Army Cadet Command (USACC) announced that both Advanced and Basic Camp held at Ft. Knox, Kentucky each summer has been cancelled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The decision was announced by video by Major General John Evans the Commanding General of USACC. Click image below to watch the video:

Advanced Camp

An important fact to take from this decision is that even though Advanced and Basic Camp are cancelled this year, this doesn’t mean the Cadets that were scheduled to attend will not conduct training. Instead all the ROTC battalions across the country will train their Cadets on the required training tasks during on campus training and two 96 hour Field Training Exercises (FTX) in the fall and spring quarters.

In anticipation of a possible decision like this, the leadership from both EWU and Gonzaga Army ROTC battalions have already developed a joint training plan for next year. The combined units are called Taskforce Spokane and the battalions will train together to ensure all Advanced Camp tasks are completed. EWU Cadets will be briefed on the plan during our Thursday training meeting. All efforts are being made to conduct Taskforce Spokane training responsibly and safely to keep our MS-III Cadets effected by this decision healthy and on-track to commission on time.

Additionally the Cadets that commission in academic year 2021 will conduct supplemental training as part of their Basic Officer Leadership Course (BOLC). The supplemental training will be 2-weeks long and include training tasks such as a live hand grenade throw, a night infiltration course, and a buddy team live fire.

Basic Camp

For our EWU Basic Camp Cadets, they will be trained on their required skills locally in September by our EWU Army ROTC Cadre. The completion of the local Basic Camp training will still allow those Cadets to move forward towards contracting. Each Cadet will be briefed on the details of the training plan later this week.

Additional Cancelled Training

The cancellation of Basic and Advanced Camp comes in addition to the previously announced cancellations of internships, the Nurse Summer Training Program (NSTP), advanced military training schools such as Airborne and Air Assault school, and Cadet Troop Leader Training (CTLT). EWU Army ROTC will continue to maintain close communication with our Cadets to keep them informed of Cadet Summer Training developments. If anyone has any questions feel free to reach out to your Military Science instructor or leave a comment.

Go Fighting Eags!

USACC Commanding General Provides Update on 2020 Cadet Summer Training

10/11/202405/04/2020 by jstafford3

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.

U.S. Army Cadet Command (ROTC)·Thursday, March 19, 2020·2 minutes

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

Final Eastern Washington University Cadets Graduate From Advanced Camp 2019

08/29/2019 by jstafford3

Our final two Eastern Washington University (EWU) Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Cadets completed Advanced Camp earlier this month at Ft. Knox, Kentucky. Cadets Marcos Sanchez and Collin Galbreath graduated from Advanced Camp’s 11th Regiment on August 18th.

From left: Cadet Collin Galbreath, 2nd Lieutenant Kyle Isaacson, and Cadet Marcos Sanchez

Advanced Camp is Cadet Command’s premier annual training event that assesses Cadets on their ability to conduct basic officer leadership tasks. Cadets usually attend Advanced Camp during the summer between their junior and senior years of college. Passing Advanced Camp is a mandatory requirement for all Cadets who want to commission as an officer in the U.S. Army after graduation. With the successful completion of Advanced Camp, Cadets Sanchez and Galbreath are one step closer to commissioning as Second Lieutenants after graduating from Eastern.

One of our 2019 Fighting Eagles Battalion alums, Second Lieutenant Kyle Isaacson was assigned to support Advanced Camp 2019 this summer after graduating from Eastern this past June. During Advanced Camp he had the opportunity to meet with Cadets Galbreath and Sanchez. After Advanced Camp 2nd Lieutenant Isaacson will attend the Field Artillery Basic Officer Leadership Course at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma.

Congratulations to Cadets Galbreath and Sanchez for completing Advanced Camp and we wish all the best to 2nd Lieutenant Isaacson as he conducts his basic officer training to become a Field Artilleryman.

Go ROTC! Go Fighting Eags!

Five More “Fighting Eagles” Battalion Cadets Graduate from ROTC Advanced Camp

08/27/2019 by jstafford3

The Eastern Washington University (EWU) Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) recently had 5 more Cadets graduate from Advanced Camp at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Cadets Ian House, Joseph Jordan, Jazmin Castrejon, Coy Odiorne, and Melinda Leen all graduated as part of Advanced Camp’s 9th Regiment on August 8th.

From left: Ian House, Joseph Jordan, Jazmin Castrejon, Coy Odiorne, and Melinda Leen pictured together following graduation from ROTC Advanced Camp at Ft. Knox, Kentucky

Advanced Camp is Cadet Command’s premier annual training event that assesses Cadets on their ability to conduct basic officer leadership tasks. Cadets usually attend Advanced Camp during the summer between their junior and senior years of college. Passing Advanced Camp is a mandatory requirement for all Cadets who want to commission as an officer in the U.S. Army after graduation. With the successful completion of Advanced Camp, Cadets House, Jordan, Castrejon, Odiorne, and Leen are one step closer to commissioning as Second Lieutenants after graduating from Eastern.

The completion of Advanced Camp however was not the end of summer training for some of these Cadets. After graduating from Advanced Camp three of the Cadets left to participate in Cadet Troop Leadership Training (CTLT). At CTLT a Cadet gets hands on experience with being an officer within an active duty U.S. Army unit. Cadet Odiorne is currently embedded with Taskforce Talon, a missile defense unit assigned to protect the island of Guam from ballistic missile attack. Cadet Castrejon and House both traveled to Ft. Hood, Texas to take part in a CTLT experience with transportation and chemical units.

Congratulations to all five Cadets for graduating from Advanced Camp and achieving one of the most important accomplishments of the ROTC program.

Throwback Thursday: Cadet Debra Dutton at 1977 ROTC Advanced Camp

07/25/2019 by jstafford3

Considering it is now the heart of Advanced Camp season for ROTC battalions across the country, I decided this week to share a picture of an Eastern Washington University (EWU) Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Cadet attending Advanced Camp back in 1977. Back then EWU was called Eastern Washington State College (EWSC). Here is what is written on the back of the picture:

By: Sp4 Michael Gough

Debra Dutton composes a warning order while participating in a squad mini-ex. Cadet Dutton is attending the 1977 (through Eastern Washington State College) Army ROTC Advanced Camp at Ft. Lewis, WA.

If anyone remembers Cadet Dutton please leave a comment and let us know about what you remember about one of our Fighting Eagles alumni.

Go ROTC! Go Fighting Eags!

EWU College of Social Sciences Dean Experiences COI Training at Ft. Knox

10/02/202407/11/2019 by jstafford3

Besides being home to the United States gold reserves, Fort Knox, Kentucky is also the home to the U.S. Army Cadet Command’s premier training event, Advanced Camp. At Advanced Camp, Cadets from Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) programs spread out across 274 college campuses, come together to conduct leadership training at Ft. Knox. Cadets generally attend Advanced Camp the summer between their Junior and Senior years of college. Passing Advanced Camp is a requirement for every Cadet who wants to commission as an officer after graduating from college.

EWU ROTC Cadets (From Left) Megan Baker, Austin Pfennig, & Chad Triplett participate in Advanced Camp 2019 at Ft. Knox, Kentucky.

In effort to help university faculty and community leaders better understand the training ROTC Cadets conduct at Advanced Camp, select personnel from across the nation are invited to attend a one-week course at Ft. Knox. Recently our very own Dean of the College of Social Sciences (CSS) at Eastern Washington University (EWU), Dr. Jonathan Anderson had the opportunity to attend this course known as Centers of Influence (COI) Training.

While at Fort Knox Dr. Anderson attended a number of informational meetings about ROTC and also participated in training Cadets experience during Advanced Camp. These events included a Leadership Reaction Course and rappelling.

Dr. Anderson (upper right) participates in an informational brief.

Dr. Anderson (center) prepares for rappel tower training.

For a very select few of the personnel that attended the COI training, they were able to participate in a jump with the U.S. Army’s Golden Knights parachute demonstration team. Dr. Anderson was chosen as one of the few COIs to participate in the parachute jump.

Dr. Anderson prepares to jump with the U.S. Army’s Golden Knights parachute team.

Dr. Anderson flies off with the Golden Knights.

Dr. Anderson parachutes over Ft. Knox, Kentucky with the Golden Knights.

EWU ROTC thanks Dr. Anderson for attending the COI training and the strong support we receive from the College of Social Sciences.

Go ROTC! Go Fighting Eags!