The 10st Airborne Division Association Oregon-Cascade Chapter has recognized Eastern Washington University ROTC Cadet, Valentino Olmstead with their annual award.
The General Society for the War of 1812 recognized one MS-II Cadet this year with their award for excellence. The General Society for the War of 1812 is a charitable organization of descendants of American veterans of the War of 1812. The General Society was founded on January 9, 1854, at the Congress Hall in Philadelphia by Joel B. Sutherland.
The Eastern Washington University Army ROTC cadet selected for their annual award was Olivia Roble who is a nursing major who has maintained an above 3.5 GPA, has been very active in Color Guard, Cannon Crew, and other ROTC activities, and completed all requirements to contract this year and activate her ROTC scholarship. She is an extremely dedicated Cadet who is well deserving of this recognition.
Congratulations to Cadet Roble and thank you to the General Society for the War of 1812 for recognizing a very deserving Cadet.
Learn more about the General Society for the War of 1812 at this link.
EWU Army ROTC class of 2016 graduate, Miranda Munsell was commissioned as a Field Artillery officer into the Washington Army National Guard. Since graduating from Eastern, she has been promoted to the rank of 1st Lieutenant in the 2-146th Field Artillery Battalion.
1LT Miranda Munsell
1LT Munsell’s National Guard unit was recently activated in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. EWU’s school newspaper, The Easterner has published an article highlighting her service. Here is a quote from 1LT Munsell in the article:
“It’s so important to me that we can be there when our communities need us. Seeing the impact we have had and being able to be there to assist the people who need it in this time of crisis is extremely rewarding,” said 1LT Munsell. [The Easterner]
I highly recommend everyone reading the whole article at the link. You can also view a video featuring 1LT Munsellat this link. Great job by 1LT Munsell for being such a great leader and all the other National Guard personnel helping others across the state during this pandemic.
For anyone interested in becoming a National Guard officer and serving their fellow citizens in a time of crisis, the EWU Army ROTC program is a path to doing this. Incoming and current EWU students can sign up for a Military Science course to explore their options in the Army with no obligation to join. If National Guard service is something you are interested in pursuing we can help you with finding a unit and accessing scholarship benefits.
Cadets on a Minuteman Scholarship or a Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty (GRFD) Scholarship are guaranteed National Guard service, awarded full tuition or $10k towards room and board a year to EWU, receive $1,200 annually for books, and a $420 a month stipend plus other benefits. Anyone interested in learning more about their National Guard options can reach us through our Contact page or by emailing us at rotc@ewu.edu.
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.
EWU Army ROTC Cadet, Joseph Jordan conducts rappel training during Advanced Camp 2019.
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.
Cadet Liam Hewey at the 2019 ROTC Basic Camp.
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.
For National Nurses Week, the EWU Army ROTC “Fighting Eagles” battalion would like to recognize 2017 EWU graduate, Kaylee Nunley who has started off a great career as an Army nurse. Kaylee grew up in Spokane Valley where she attended EWU for pre-nursing and joined ROTC. After completing the pre-nursing curriculum at EWU, she was accepted into the Washington State University (WSU)-Spokane College of Nursing. While attending nursing school she had the opportunity to attend a summer internship at the Army hospital at Ft. Wainwright, AK.
After graduating from EWU and the College of Nursing, she commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps. She next completed her Basic Officer Leadership Course for nurses at Fort Sam Houston, Texas before arriving at her first duty station at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Walter Reed is the military’s premier hospital. At Walter Reed Kaylee served for three years as a registered nurse serving as a medical surgical pediatric nurse.
After completing her assignment at Walter Reed, the now First Lieutenant (1LT) Nunley is currently attending public health nurse training at Ft. Sam Houston. After she completes her training later this month, she will then move to her next duty station in Ft. Wainwright, Alaska. There she will serve as the Chief of Army Public Health Nursing focusing on preventive medicine for Soldiers and families.
During her Army journey, 1LT Nunley has also married and became a mom. EWU Army ROTC congratulates Kaylee for a great start to her career as an Army nurse.
World War II Army Nurse Corps recruiting poster.
Did you know that EWU Army ROTC has the largest ROTC nursing program in Washington State and the Inland Northwest? We have a track record of commissioning quality nurses on to Active Duty and into Army Reserves. If you are interested in serving your country as well as beginning a career as a health care professional, consider Army nursing. Scholarships are available to qualified applicants and Army ROTC has guaranteed slots into Nursing School. Learn more about about the ROTC nursing program at this link. You can also use our Contact page or email us at rotc@ewu.edu to answer any questions you may have.
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.
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
