EWU Army ROTC – Eastern Washington University

Welcome to EWU Army ROTC

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What is Army ROTC?

Eastern Washington University (EWU) Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) is an on-campus leadership development program. All students are welcome to sign up for our Military Science classes along with classes required for an EWU bachelor’s or master’s degree. Our instructors are active duty (full-time) military officers and non-commissioned officers who will help any interested student to develop their leadership skills, but our ultimate purpose is to produce U.S. Army Officers that receive management-level job placement leading soldiers immediately after graduation from EWU. Participation is voluntary, but we do offer full-tuition scholarships if you decide to lead soldiers as a U.S. Army Officer in one of the various Army career fields including infantry, aviation, artillery, nursing, law, cyber, and many more. You don’t need to know which degree or career path you want to choose immediately. We’ll help you find your future – just show up motivated and with an open mind.

The best part? If you are unsure if military service is right for you, ROTC is the only way to explore military service WITHOUT actually being in the military or making an immediate commitment. The first two years of the Military Science curriculum are open to all students regardless of academic standing. Participation in classes does not result in any military obligation. All participants are referred to as “cadets” and we do have a rank structure so that everyone understands the cadet leadership roles and responsibilities within the program. This structure and hierarchy is part of the program that facilitates leadership and management skill development. The last two years are only open to students who have entered a contract with the Army to continue ROTC, earn their degree, and serve as U.S. Army officers after graduation. Completion of the Advanced Course qualifies students to earn a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. Visit our ROTC News feed to learn more about the programs and activities our cadets are involved in around campus and in the community.

Decide to lead and start your journey with EWU Army ROTC!

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Why should you try out EWU Army ROTC?

There are many reasons why EWU Army ROTC stands out as an amazing opportunity for Eastern students to explore military service. For example, we have nationally recognized instructors, Cadets that have received national recognition, the top ROTC nursing program in the region, above average branching results, among a host of other accomplishments that mean you’ll be in good company to help you on your leadership journey. Whether you decide to commit to military service or not, you’ll come out of ROTC as a stronger, better version of yourself in ways you never imagined. If you do commit, we have full-tuition scholarships available and a litany of other benefits via the SMP program so you can finish college with little to no student debt and a have a paid position waiting for you as a U.S. Army officer after graduation. You can truly be all you can be through ROTC!

*Photo: A cadet rappelling during one of our leadership labs This is one of many basic military skills we’ll teach you during classes and hands-on lab training. No contract required!*

Photo: We arranged to have Cadet Mykenzie Belliotti (business major) spend time shadowing a platoon leader in charge of AH-64 Apache Attack Helicopters. It helped solidify her desire to become an Aviation Officer. We provide these kinds of opportunities to help our cadets determine the U.S. Army career field they want to serve in after graduation from EWU.

A Week in the Life of a Cadet

All students registered for ROTC classes are referred to as “Cadets” and they are integrated into a organizational structure that provides a military-like experience. Cadets will have one class a week, physical fitness training in the morning three times a week (generally Monday, Wednesday, Friday), a squad/platoon meeting with fellow cadets at a time that works well for everyone, and a leadership laboratory (lab) on Thursday afternoon where cadets get extensive hands-on practice with leadership and basic military skills such as drill and ceremony, land navigation, rappelling, rifle marksmanship, tactics, etc. The physical training sessions are meant to be team-building events and to build individual confidence through physical strength improvement. The ROTC program has its own gym as well, so cadets can come between or after classes to work out together or with one of our military faculty members (called cadre). If getting in shape is one of your goals the EWU ROTC program can help you do that without the cost of a personal trainer. Cadets only wear a uniform for official ROTC training or events, meaning you get the full college student experience with all the benefits of being part of ROTC.

EWU ROTC also provides a number of extracurricular activities for both contracted and non-contracted Cadets. All Cadets can try out for our annual Ranger Challenge team. The team competes each fall quarter in a regional competition that tests the Cadets physical and mental stamina in a variety of military related events. All Cadets can also participate in our Cannon Crew and Color Guard teams that support the university’s sports teams and important events.

*Photo: Cadets conducting fitness training on Roos Field.*

Photo: Cadets can join the Cannon Crew, which involves firing off a 75mm howitzer at football games and to start race events on campus. Our howitzer was used in WWII and other wars, so cadets get to experience a fun piece of history!

Contact us today to see how we can help you find your future as a leader in one of many different career fields in the U.S. Army!

For anyone interested in finding out more information about the ROTC program we invite you to stop by our offices at Cadet Hall on the EWU campus or contact us by email or phone.

Department of Military Science
202 Cadet Hall
Cheney, WA 99004
email: rotc@ewu.edu
phone: 509-359-6110
fax: 509.359.6108

Photo: 1980s advertisement in the campus newspaper. Still rings true today and our Enrollment Officer still sits in room 201 of Cadet Hall here on campus!