Eastern Washington University – Page 20

U.S. Army Transportation Corps Turns 77 Years Old Today

07/31/2019 by jstafford3

Happy 77th birthday to the U.S. Army Transportation Corps. The branch was founded on July 31, 1942 during World War II. Below is a great posting from the U.S. Army Center of Military History that explains the origins of the Transportation Corps:

The historical background of the Transportation Corps started with the Services of Supply, American Expeditionary Forces, during World War I. Prior to that time, transportation operations were chiefly the responsibility of the Quartermaster General. The Transportation Corps, in its present form, was organized on 31 July 1942.

The Quartermaster Department coordinated transportation support for the Army until World War I. The Army’s experience in that conflict revealed the need for a corps of dedicated specialists and units. The newly established Transportation Corps, however, lasted for only a few years. The need and significant utility for coordinating military transportation again became apparent during World War II, and the Army reestablished the corps in mid-1942 to meet the unparalleled logistical demands of fighting in multiple distant theaters of a global conflict.
The famed “Red Ball Express” of World War II was a monumental operation largely executed by transportation truck companies. When the rapid advance of combat maneuver forces out paced the ability to keep them supplied by rail from the Normandy beaches, the assignment fell to Advance Section, Communications Zone. The Motor Transport Services provided direction and coordination while the Motor Transport Brigade handled the actual movement of vehicles. Until the flow of supplies by other modes improved, Transportation Corps soldiers insured the maneuver forces maintained the advance.
The Transportation Corps became a permanent branch in 1950. The Transportation Corps continued to demonstrate its capability of rapidly supporting U.S. Army operations in global theaters over the past seventy-seven years. [U.S. Army Center of Military History]

The Eastern Washington University (EWU) Army ROTC program has a long history of producing Transportation Corps officers for the Army. For example we currently have two Second Lieutenants that commissioned in 2019 attending the Transportation Corps Basic Officer Leadership Course at Ft. Lee, Virginia. Once again happy birthday to all of our great Transportation Corps servicemembers.

Former EWU Army ROTC Cadets Tyler Roylance and John Howard prepare to have their Transportation Corps insignia pinned on by First Lieutenant Thomas Burdick from the 1041st Transportation Company and former Transportation officer and retired Lieutenant Colonel Jerry Mellick from the EWU ROTC class of 1967.

EWU Army ROTC Cadets Conduct Weapons and Rappel Training at Advanced Camp 2019

07/31/2019 by jstafford3

Two more of our Eastern Washington University (EWU) Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Cadets were caught by the Cadet Command camera team conducting training at Advanced Camp in 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. The first Eastern Cadet caught on camera was Nicholas Null who was pictured conducting weapons assembly and disassembly training:

Cadet Null is an incoming senior studying political science at Eastern and on pace to graduate with honors. He graduated from Advanced Camp’s 7th Regiment on July 29th. After Advanced Camp Cadet Null flew to Ft. Sill, Oklahoma where he is currently participating in a Judge Advocate General (JAG) internship. Congratulations to Cadet Null for graduating Advanced Camp and we hope he has a great time learning more about the duties of a JAG officer at his internship.

The next Eastern Cadet pictured by Cadet Command was Joseph Jordan. Cadet Jordan was pictured conducting rappel training:

Cadet Jordan is an incoming senior studying criminal justice who is on pace to graduate with honors next year as well. He is in Advanced Camp’s 9th Regiment that is scheduled to graduate on August 8th. In total EWU ROTC has had 9 Cadets complete Advanced Camp with 13 more to go. The final regiment at Advanced Camp is 11th Regiment which will graduate on August 18th and will end this year’s Advanced Camp season. EWU ROTC wishes all the best to all of our remaining Cadets as they move towards completion of Advanced Camp 2019

Finally thanks again to the Cadet Command Public Affairs Office team for taking pictures of our Eastern Washington University ROTC Cadets.

Go ROTC! Go Fighting Eags!

Eastern Washington University Army ROTC Alumnus Inducted Into the Ordnance Corps Hall of Fame

07/30/2019 by jstafford3

The Eastern Washington University (EWU), U.S. Army Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) department would like to spotlight one of our Alumni: Colonel (COL) retired (R) Scott W. Hull. COL (R) Hull was inducted into the Ordnance Corps Hall of Fame earlier this year at Fort Lee, Virginia, home of the United States Army Ordnance Corps. He graduated from EWU with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Business Administration in 1968, and commissioned from the EWU ROTC program into the U.S. Army as a Second Lieutenant.

Colonel Scott Hull; EWU ROTC Class of 1968

COL (R) Hull initially served as a Mortar Platoon leader in Ansbach, Germany, but then transitioned into the Ordnance Corps. Once he transitioned into the Ordnance branch, he took on several critical roles for the Army, to include being a commanding officer during the Vietnam War in charge of two ammunition supply points in support of combat operations in Phu Bai, Vietnam. Later, as Commander of the Savannah Army depot, his leadership led to increased productivity while suffering a 10% loss of employees. Then during Operation Desert Storm, he was instrumental in the planning and shipment of over 800,000 tons of ammunition to Saudi Arabia. COL (R) Hull finished his career as the Chief of the Munitions Division Army G4, where he managed and directed the U.S. Army’s ammunition and missile stockpiles, valued at over $45 billion.

COL (R) Hull was inducted into the Ordnance Hall of fame for his positive, significant and distinguishable contributions to the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps. He went above and beyond what was asked of him serving as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army.

Congratulations to COL (R) Hull for the prestigious honor of being inducted into the Ordnance Hall of Fame.

EWU Army ROTC Brought the “House” to Advanced Camp 2019

07/30/2019 by jstafford3

The Eastern Washington University (EWU) Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program does not have an actual “house”, but we do have a Cadet Ian House who had a whole article published by Cadet Command detailing his ROTC journey:

EWU ROTC Cadet Ian House at Advanced Camp 2019

Many Cadets join the military to carry on the family legacy. One such cadet is Ian House. House’s family history with the military goes back to the Revolutionary War and currently extends to his father and brother who are serving in the Navy.

“My dad served for 21 years, my brother is serving right now and I’m here serving,” the Snohomish, Washington native said.

For a majority House’s life, his father was a Naval Aviator, but for all of his life he has been a part of the military family. This wasn’t the only reason for his decision to join though; the Cadet also relished the chance to grow closer to his dad and brother, carrying on the family pride.

“For me, it is continuing the cycle because this is the family business,” House said. “I am here because I want to be here, I want to serve my country and I want to forward this tradition and keep it going.”

At 17 years old, the Eastern Washington University Cadet decided to try to enlist. House soon found out that this task would be harder than he expected. [Cadet Command website]

I recommend that everyone read the rest of the article at the link and thank you to the Cadet Command Public Affairs Office team for the article. EWU ROTC looks forward to Cadet House graduating from Advanced Camp on August 8th and ultimately seeing his father commission him next year to the rank of Second Lieutenant after he graduates from Eastern.

Go ROTC! Go Fighting Eags!.

EWU ROTC Cadets Complete High Ropes Confidence Course at Basic Camp

07/29/2019 by jstafford3

This summer Eastern Washington University (EWU) Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) has 11 Cadets attending ROTC Basic Camp at Ft. Knox, Kentucky. Basic Camp is a four-week leadership training course designed for college students, typically between their sophomore and junior years to attend if they did not join ROTC during their freshman year of college. After completion of Basic Camp the Cadet is then eligible for entry as a third year Cadet in the four year ROTC program. The Cadet is also eligible to contract and receive scholarship and stipend benefits.

Devante Hall prepares to conduct the high ropes course at ROTC Basic Camp.

The Cadet Command cameras recently captured pictures of two of our EWU ROTC Cadets, Devante Hall and Amayia Roberts during the execution of the High Ropes Confidence Course at Basic Camp. Cadet Roberts was even quoted in the Cadet Command article about the training:

“I’m terrified of heights. I actually started crying when I was going, but I pushed through it,” stated Cadet Amayia Roberts, Eastern Washington University.

Amayia Roberts (center) executes the high ropes course at ROTC Basic Camp.

The High Ropes Confidence Course tests the Cadets to overcome three different obstacles: the Moore’s Mountain rock wall, the Alpine Tower, and Rudder’s Rope Course. The course develops the Cadets’ abilities to overcome heights, problem solve, and work together as a team.

Great job by both Cadets Hall and Roberts for completing the High Ropes Confidence Course and we wish them all the best during the remainder of their Basic Camp training.

Go Fighting Eags!

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!