It was an auspicious start to the 2021 Winter Quarter with some nice sunrises seen over the campus of Eastern Washington University.
Cadet HallThe view across the EWU campus.The view over the Communications Building and southern Cheney.
ACFT
Before Cadets from the EWU Army ROTC “Fighting Eagles” battalion could see any sunrise, they had to get up early to take the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT). The ACFT was held under the bright lights shining on the Inferno at Roos Field. It is always a great experience for the Cadets to do physical training on the famous red turf of Eastern’s home football field.
Cadets conduct the hand release pushup event on the Inferno at Roos Field.
The ACFT is supposed to become the test of record for the U.S. Army within the next two years. The ACFT assesses Soldiers on six events:
Deadlift
Power Throw
Hand Release Pushups
Sprint-Drag-Carry
Leg Tuck
2-Mile Run
Unlike the prior Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT), the ACFT is both age and gender neutral for scoring. Scoring instead of age and gender will be based on a Soldier’s job. Non-combat MOS’s have the lowest minimum standards while Combat Arms have the highest standards. EWU Army ROTC conducts ACFT testing every quarter to ensure Cadets can continue to assess their progress at improving in each event of this new test.
Leadership Lab
During the weekly leadership lab held each Thursday, the Fighting Eagles Cadets conducted a welcome back lab. During the lab the Cadets conducted icebreaker events to welcome new Cadets into the program. .
Cadets line up for first formation.Cadet Olivia Roble conducts icebreakers with her squad to welcome new Cadets.
After conducting these icebreakers they then conducted a review or upcoming training events and some initial skills training with the new Cadets.
Cadets conduct initial movement skills training.
After the lab the new Cadets began their process of receiving their initial entry gear from the Cadet Hall supply room. It was great to see a high number of new Cadets at lab and we hope they all have a great experience in ROTC. You can view more pictures from the lab on our EWU Army ROTC Flickr page.
On December 18, 2020 the Eastern Washington University (EWU) Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) “Fighting Eagles” battalion conducted its annual Spring commissioning ceremony. The ceremony is normally held in the historic Showalter Hall auditorium on the beautiful EWU campus. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions the ceremony was held at the EWU Fieldhouse and limited to a group of 10 people following required social distancing and masking requirements. During the ceremony Cadets Andreas Brazier and Kylie Crooks were commissioned as Army officers.
The path to this day was not an easy one for the commissionees. All the Cadets conducted up to 4 years of military training in the ROTC program, had to meet rigorous academic requirements, build strong physical fitness, pass the 37-day long ROTC Advanced Camp at Ft. Knox, Kentucky, among a host of other challenging requirements before they could commission as a Second Lieutenant (2LT) in the U.S. Army.
EWU Army ROTC Recruiting and Operations Officer, Ms. Linda Moody narrates the Fall 2020 Commissioning Ceremony.
The ceremony was narrated by the EWU Army ROTC Recruiting and Operations Officer, Ms. Linda Moody and opening marks were given by the EWU Army ROTC Professor of Military Science, Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Jonathan Stafford.
LTC Jonathan Stafford gives his opening remarks.
The first cadet to commission was Andreas Brazier who has graduated from EWU with a Political Science degree and a minor in Military Science. He commissioned virtually over Zoom from his family’s home on the west side of Washington. Andreas was a high performing Cadet that received the highest rating of “Outstanding” at Advanced Camp at Ft. Knox, Kentucky and was one of our fittest Cadets by regularly maxing the Army Physical Fitness Test. He was also a member of the Ranger Challenge team that finished second during last year’s regional competition; Eastern’s highest finish in 20 years. Andreas received his first branch choice and will serve in the U.S. Army as an Infantry Officer. The oath of office was administered by his friend Captain David Herron, United States Marine Corps.
2LT Brazier receives his officer oath of enlistment.
He was pinned his rank by his mother Lisah Moegling.
2LT Brazier receives a hug after being pinned his rank by his mother.
His best friend Tim Trainer, Private First Class, United States Army gave 2nd Lieutenant Brazier his first salute.
Congratulations to 2nd Lieutenant Andreas Brazier.
2LT Andreas Brazier
The second Cadet to commission was Kylie Crooks who graduated from both EWU and Washington State University College of Nursing in Spokane. Cadet Crooks is a high performing Cadet who is also a member of the U.S. Army Reserve where she drives tugboats for a Transportation Company in Tacoma. Now as a commissioned officer she has branched into the U.S. Army Nurse Corps. During her time in EWU Army ROTC, Kylie has received many awards and scholarships to include receiving the 2019 Randy Van Turner ROTC Scholarship and the newly established 2020 Citizen Soldier Scholarship. She also received the highest rating of “Outstanding” at ROTC Advanced Camp and was recognized this year with the Major General Barbara R. Holcomb Army Nurse Cadet Excellence Award.
Table with awards for Cadet Crooks.
This award recognized 2nd Lieutenant Crooks as the top nursing Cadet in the 8th ROTC Brigade that covers all 30 ROTC programs across the West Coast and Inland Northwest of the United States. For winning the award she was presented with a stethoscope during the ceremony.
The Major General Barbara R. Holcomb Army Nurse Cadet Excellence Award presented to 2nd Lieutenant Kylie Crooks.
The oath of office was administered to 2nd Lieutenant Crooks’ by her uncle Captain Matt Crooks, who is an officer in the United States Army Nurse Corps.
Her 2nd Lieutenant rank was pinned by her mother Marianne and father Jarrod Crooks.
2nd Lieutenant Crooks’ parents pin her new rank.
Tyler Crooks, Airman First Class United States Air Force and 2nd Lieutenant Crooks’ brother rendered the first salute.
2LT Crooks’ brother rendered the first salute.
Congratulations to 2nd Lieutenant Kylie Crooks.
2nd Lieutenant Crooks signs her commissioning contract.2nd Lieutenant Kylie Crooks the Army’s newest nursing officer.
EWU Army ROTC thanks the university Provost office for approving the hosting of this small ceremony at the Fieldhouse. Even a small ceremony with risk mitigation measures in place made this a special event for the Cadet. We also thank all the friends, family, alumni, and guests that viewed the ceremony over Zoom. We hope to see you all in-person in the near future once the pandemic conditions improve. We also thank the EWU Veterans Resource Center for providing the veteran coins and honor cords for graduation that was given to each new lieutenant. Finally one more congratulations to both of our new 2nd Lieutenants, we are all so very proud of you. Eagle Strong!
Congratulations to Zachary Becker for being the latest Cadet to contract into ROTC. With his contracting Cadet Becker is activating a full tuition scholarship to EWU to pursue his Masters Degree in Accounting. He will also receive a $420 a month stipend and $1,200 annually for books to assist him financially on his path to receiving his Masters.
Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Stafford (right) the EWU Army ROTC Professor of Military Science gives the Oath of Enlistment to Cadet Zackary Becker (left).
We offer Masters degree scholarships that will pay for full tuition with no obligation to serve on active duty. Cadets have the option of serving in the National Guard or Reserves if they are looking to start a civilian career after the completion of their Masters degree. Get in contact with us at 509-359-6109 or rotc@ewu.edu to learn more. Go ROTC! Go Fighting Eags!
The Eastern Washington University (EWU) Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) commissions Army officers not only onto Active Duty, but into the Army Reserves and the National Guard. This video shows the various training events conducted in ROTC and is narrated by 2018 EWU Army ROTC graduate First Lieutenant (1LT) Rebecca Troutt who is an officer in the Washington Army National Guard.
The National Guard provides a great opportunity for EWU students to serve their state and local communities while still pursuing a civilian career. The coronavirus pandemic and the wildfires in the Pacific Northwest has demonstrated what an important role the National Guard has in supporting communities in the region.
For students considering National Guard service as an officer, contact us at rotc@ewu.edu or 509-359-6110 to learn more about EWU Army ROTC. We offer scholarship designed exclusively for students pursuing National Guard service. Scholarships are available! Contact us to learn more!
On September, 21 2020, the MS-III and IV Cadets from the Eastern Washington University (EWU) Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program conducted their annual train-up event at Mt. Spokane State Park. The train up is used to get the Cadets refocused on ROTC activities before that start of the school year. You can watch a video of the train up below:
The train up began with an early morning bus ride from EWU campus to Mt. Spokane State Park located an hour away. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic the Cadets sat one person per seat with their masks on and windows cracked on the bus:
Cadets load on to buses at Cadet Hall to travel to Mt. Spokane State Park.
The Cadets began their hike up to the summit of Mt. Spokane at the Lower Mt. Kit Carson Trailhead. The Cadets were divided up into three small groups, remained spread out, and wore their masks during the hike:
Cadets arrive at the trailhead to begin their training.From the trailhead the Cadets hiked on a steep trail through a lush and beautiful forest.
During the hike the Cadets stopped at pre-designated training stations along the way to conduct Cadre facilitated classes on skills they need to become proficient on for the upcoming academic year.
Cadets stop at Saddle Junction about halfway up Mt. Spokane to conduct training.SFC David Ratliff leads Cadre facilitated training on the slopes of Mt. Spokane.
While the Cadets conducted their training they also got to take in expansive views of Eastern Washington:
Looking down a ski slope with Day Mountain visible in the distance.A panorama view of Mt. Kit Carson (left) and Day Mountain (right).
Once the Cadets reached the summit of the 5,883 foot Mt. Spokane, they took a break to each lunch and enjoy the views:
Summit panorama.The Summit House on the summit of Mt. Spokane.MS-III Cadet, Everett Kuhnel enjoys the view of Northern Idaho from the summit of Mt. Spokane.Final picture before departing the summit of Mt. Spokane.
After departing the summit the Cadets stopped again at pre-planned spots to finish their training before returning to the trailhead. Overall the Cadets hiked 9.5 miles with approximately 2,000 feet of elevation gain during the day. The Cadets received great training and an even better workout. The weather was also phenomenal and was a great break from the smokey days we had recently in the region due to forest fires.
MS-IV Cadet, Michael Beier takes in the views of Eastern Washington during the hike back down Mt. Spokane.
All of us Cadre members were happy to conduct in-person training with our Cadets for the first time since winter quarter. EWU Army ROTC is approved to conduct in person training for our leadership labs, field training exercises, and physical training that all occurs outdoors. For our classes that occur normally inside a classroom, they will continue to be conducted virtually until the COVID conditions improve. We are committed to providing the best training we can in the safest manner possible to ensure our Cadets all remain Eagle Strong!
On September 24, 2020 the Eastern Washington University (EWU) Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program contracted 6 Cadets into the U.S. Army. The Contracting Ceremony was held in front of the historic Showalter Hall on the EWU campus. Showalter Hall is the oldest building on EWU’s campus that was built back in 1915 when EWU was a teacher’s college. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic the Contracting Ceremony was attending by a small number of Cadets and family members and masks and social distancing requirements were followed. Full video of the ceremony can be viewed below:
During the ceremony the 6 Cadets recited the Oath of Enlistment given to them by Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Stafford, the Professor of Military Science for the EWU Army ROTC program. The first Oath of Enlistment was developed during the Revolutionary War when the Continental Congress established different oaths for the enlisted men and officers of the Continental Army. The first Oath of Enlistment under the Constitution was approved by an Act of Congress on 29 September 1789. It applied to all commissioned officers, non-commissioned officers, and enlisted Soldiers in the United States military.
EWU Army ROTC Cadets, Isabell Pannell, Caleb Geringer, Nik Chapple, Charles Golding, Giovanni Beegen, and Kyle Collins stand in formation preparing to contract.Contracting Cadets salute the unfurling of the U.S. flag.Contracting ceremony officer in charge (OIC) Cadet Crystal Cruz turns over the formation to LTC Jonathan Stafford.
The oath would receive minor modifications during the 1800’s, but the current oath recited by the contracting Cadets has remained unchanged since 1959. Here is the current Oath of Enlistment:
“I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.”
Cadets are given the Oath of Enlistment by LTC Jonathan Stafford.LTC Jonathan Stafford contracts 6 Cadets into EWU Army ROTC.
Following the reciting of the Oath of Enlistment, the 6 Cadets were then given their right shoulder sleeve EWU Army ROTC patch. The patch was presented by Master Sergeant Michael Zehring who explained the importance of the right shoulder sleeve patch that recognizes combat service in the active U.S. Army. In the EWU ROTC program the right should sleeve patch recognizes these Cadets’ commitment to serve their country by contracting into EWU ROTC.
Cadet Charles Golding proudly displays his EWU ROTC patch after contracting.
By contracting the Cadets can now activate scholarship benefits, receive a $420 a month monetary stipend, attend advanced training, internships, and other opportunities to help them towards their goal of becoming a U.S. Army officer after graduating from EWU. Congratulations to all six of our newly contracted Cadets!
Isabell Pannell Caleb Geringer Nik Chapple Charles Golding Giovanni Beegen Kyle Collins
Note:More pictures from the ceremony can be viewed on our Flickr page.
How to Contract into ROTC
When Cadets first enroll into an ROTC class, they have no military obligation. Taking an ROTC class is the one way to explore military service without having to contract into the military. For students who find that military service is something they want to pursue they can then contract into ROTC. Contracting requires the Cadet to meet specified academic, physical fitness, character, and medical requirements. The are various options to contract and a college student does not have to join ROTC as a first year student to explore military service. We have many transfer students, sophomores, and juniors and even Masters students enroll into ROTC to explore military service before making a decision to contract. Please read our Contracting page or reach EWU ROTC through our Contact page for more information on contracting options.
