Fighting Eagles Cadets Get Into Action During Leadership Lab

On the 4th of February 2021, the Eastern Washington University (EWU) Fighting Eagles Battalion conducted training on Actions On Contact (AOC) and Linear Danger Area (LDA) crossings at the Cheney Waterworks property near the EWU campus.  The Cadets began the training by drawing equipment and holding accountability formation.

Cadets draw equipment before leadership lab.

During the training the Cadets used movement formations such as the squad file, squad line and squad column fire team wedge to move through the wooded terrain.  They also used the movement techniques traveling, traveling overwatch and bounding overwatch which are utilized in different situations depending on time restrictions, maneuverability, and if enemy contact is likely or not. It is ultimately up to the squad leader to determine which is used.  During movement the cadets were then engaged by an enemy opposing force to get them to practice their react to contact drills.

Cadets receive brief before conducting training.

Cadet Taylor takes cover after reacting to contact from an enemy opposing force.

LDA’s come up when doing large movements. A few examples of these are power line areas, or even large grassy fields where cover and concealment is limited. As leaders in the army, Cadets are required to know how to manage these areas without putting soldiers’ lives in harms way.

Cadet Burnside talks on the radio with his squad before crossing a linear danger area.

All of the skills the Cadets trained on are important to master to prepare them for ROTC Advanced Camp held each summer at Ft. Knox, Kentucky. Advanced Camp is expected to occur this summer and our Cadets will be ready to excel.  Eagle Strong!

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

Beautiful Winter Scenery on the Eastern Washington University Campus

EWU Campus in Winter

The recent snowfall in the Cheney area has the campus of Eastern Washington University currently looking quite picturesque.  For anyone staying in the Cheney or Spokane areas this holidy break, should consider taking a walk around campus and enjoy the serene winter scenery.  For those that can’t make it to campus I have a number of photos below for people to view below.

December 2019 Pictures from Eastern Washington University
The central campus mall.

December 2019 Pictures from Eastern Washington University
Walking through campus.

December 2019 Pictures from Eastern Washington University
The old Pend Oreille school house

December 2019 Pictures from Eastern Washington University
Walking through campus towards the JFK Library visible on the left.

December 2019 Pictures from Eastern Washington University
Cadet Hall

December 2019 Pictures from Eastern Washington University
The obstacle course located below Cadet Hall.

December 2019 Pictures from Eastern Washington University
Trees outside Cadet Hall.

December 2019 Pictures from Eastern Washington University
Looking across JFK Field towards the Computer and Engineering Building located next door to Cadet Hall.

December 2019 Pictures from Eastern Washington University
Looking across JFK Field towards the Science Building with the Pearce Hall dorm rooms visible in the background.

December 2019 Pictures from Eastern Washington University
Eastern Washington University draws its lineage from the Benjamin P. Cheney Academy that opened in 1882 meaning EWU is now well over 100 years old.

December 2019 Pictures from Eastern Washington University
The JFK Library

December 2019 Pictures from Eastern Washington University
The Pence Union Building more popularly known as the PUB.

December 2019 Pictures from Eastern Washington University
Patterson Hall

December 2019 Pictures from Eastern Washington University
Monroe Hall

December 2019 Pictures from Eastern Washington University
Hargreaves Hall used to be where the original EWU Library was located at. Today the Reading Room on the second floor serves as a banquet hall that we host our annual EWU Army ROTC Award Ceremony at.

December 2019 Pictures from Eastern Washington University
Sutton Hall

December 2019 Pictures from Eastern Washington University
EWU Visitor Center

December 2019 Pictures from Eastern Washington University
Showalter Hall

December 2019 Pictures from Eastern Washington University
The Pillars in front of Showalter Hall is where the Pass Through the Pillars event is held at the beginning of each academic school year.

December 2019 Pictures from Eastern Washington University
Walking up the path to Showalter Hall.

December 2019 Pictures from Eastern Washington University
Showalter Hall was built back in 1915 when EWU was a teacher’s college and is the most historic building on campus.

December 2019 Pictures from Eastern Washington University
The front entrance into Showalter Hall.

December 2019 Pictures from Eastern Washington University
Martin Hall

 

1000- Airway Heights Days Color Guard Support

The Color Guard team will support the City of Airway Heights Parks and Recreation Department with the opening ceremonies for their annual Airway Heights Days event that we will hold on August 17th at Sunset Park in Airway Heights. The event will start at 10:00am.

[googlemaps https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d2687.910348012803!2d-117.59131268436808!3d47.64730897918745!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x549e168e147fb5f3%3A0x2946123ab4a7656f!2s924+S+Lawson+St%2C+Airway+Heights%2C+WA+99001!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1562799794455!5m2!1sen!2sus&w=600&h=450]

https://airwayheightsparksandrec.org/event/airway-heights-days/2019-08-17/

EWU ROTC Cadets Plant Flags at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery in Honor of Memorial Day

One of the Memorial Day activities available to Cadets from the Eastern Washington University (EWU) Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) battalion to volunteer for was to plant flags at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake.  Seven of our Fighting Eagles Cadets supported the cemetery by planting flags at all the headstones in advance of Memorial Day. The Cadets worked their way around the expansive cemetery planting a flag and saluting each gravestone.


This volunteer initiative is part of the long standing support the EWU ROTC “Fighting Eagles” battalion has provided to the State Veterans Cemetery.


On Monday, May 27th, 2019 the official Memorial Day 2019 Ceremony will begin with a musical prelude at 10:30 AM and the official ceremony beginning at 11:00 AM at the State Veterans Cemetery.  For those that have not been to the cemetery before it is located just outside of Medical Lake:

[googlemaps https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d196723.9580191122!2d-117.78880888786219!3d47.650541979933365!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x549e6ac5ece78951%3A0x18a9cdbc53fa688!2s21702+W+Espanola+Rd%2C+Medical+Lake%2C+WA+99022!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1558920110258!5m2!1sen!2sus&w=600&h=450]

Parking is available at the cemetery with overflow available along side the entrance road.  Great job by our Fighting Eagles Cadets and our lead Cadet volunteer officer, Melinda Leen for helping the State Veterans Cemetery prepare for the ceremony.

From left: Cadets Hewey, Bergman, Erickson, Drohman, Leen, Smart, and Anderson


 

EWU ROTC Supports Washington State Veterans Cemetery Forgotten Heroes Interment

Today I had the honor of attending the Washington State Veterans Cemetery Forgotten Heroes Interment just outside of Medical Lake.  The ceremony is used to provide proper burial for abandoned or unclaimed remains of veterans in the Spokane region.

Washington State Veterans Cemetery at Medical Lake.

At today’s ceremony 55 remains were interned at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery.  EWU ROTC Cadet Tyler Roylance participated in the ceremony as part of the Washington State Honor Guard.

Washington State Honor Guard ready to conduct the Forgotten Heroes Ceremony (Picture courtesy of Ms. Katie Brown).

Cadet Roylance of Post Falls, Idaho is one of the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) Cadets enrolled in the EWU ROTC program while also serving in the Washington State National Guard.  While conducting monthly guard drill duty an SMP Cadet is paired with and mentored by a National Guard officer.  The program also allows Cadets to participate in highly selective National Guard activities such as the Washington State Honor Guard.

Cadet Tyler Roylance (2nd from left) conducts Honor Guard duties at the Forgotten Heroes Ceremony.

After conducting Honor Guard duties Cadet Roylance also participated in helping to intern one of the remains at the cemetery:

Cadet Tyler Roylance interns remains during the Forgotten Heroes Ceremony.

More pictures from the Forgotten Heroes Ceremony can be viewed on the EWU ROTC Flickr page.  It was a fantastic job by the Washington State Veterans Cemetery, the National Guard, and the local veteran community for putting together such a memorable event to honor these forgotten heroes.