Lab Information – Page 4

EWU ROTC Cadets Learn How to Operate Tactical Radios

01/17/2020 by jstafford3

By: Cadet Marcos Sanchez

On the 16th of January 2020, Eastern Washington University (EWU) Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC) Cadets conducted various radio operational tasks. These tasks included assembly and disassembly of an ASIP radio, 9-line Medevac, and SALUTE reports. The Advanced Special Improvement Program or ASIP, is the primary means of communication between soldiers on the battlefield. The 9-line medevac report allows soldiers to call for an evacuation of wounded soldiers on the battlefield and the SALUTE report is an essential reconnaissance report all soldiers must be familiar with. Both of these reports are part of the testing that is conducted at both basic and advanced camp and are used throughout military careers.

Cadet Destin Garcia sends up a radio report.

In order to give the EWU ROTC Cadets the best training possible many steps were taken to simulate field conditions. In the SALUTE report lane cadets were instructed to low crawl to the edge of a hill in order to observe a fellow Cadet pretending to be an Opposing Force (OPFOR). This helps them practice noise discipline as well as individual movement techniques, which are both important in any combat situation. For the 9-line Medical Evacuation (Medevac) lane Cadets were given a strict time from when they received the scenario to when they called the report up. Both reports were sent using ASIP radios which allowed them to build confidence while using proper radio etiquette.

As EWU ROTC Cadets progress through the school year they will have to rely more and more on each other to complete tasks. Starting in fall quarter where they master individual skills to spring quarter where they will be in charge of completing platoon level tasks such as ambushes and raids. Cadet Burnside said, “working as a squad has been a great opportunity to bond even more with my fellow classmates.”

Burnside moved here from southern California and other than the weather adjustment, he attributes some of the ease of moving to the ROTC program saying that, “everyone is so nice, and it was really easy to make friends”. ROTC offers many scholarships which allow Cadets like Burnside to cover the cost of out-of-state tuition. As the weather gets colder this winter quarter Cadets will have to rely on each other to boost moral during future squad operations. More pictures from this week’s leadership lab can be seen below.

Go ROTC! Go Eags!

Cadet Liam Hewey participates in leadership lab training.

Cadets practice transcribing their radio report.

Cadet Josh Browning learns how to assemble a tactical radio.

Cadet Christian Goldbach assesses radio reports by trainees.

Destin Garcia reviews his study material during the leadership lab.

Cadet low crawl to an obscured position to observe enemy activity to make their radio report from.

Cadet Caleb Bullard writes down information to create his radio report.

Cadet Gervacio Camacho learns to operate a tactical radio.

Cadet Janu Lee assembles a tactical radio.

EWU Army ROTC Conducts Welcome Back Leadership Lab

01/12/2020 by jstafford3

By: Cadet Marcos Sanchez

On January 8^th 2020, Eastern Washington University (EWU) Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC) Cadets kicked off the New Year and the winter academic quarter by conducting a Welcome Back Leadership Lab. During the lab Cadets were split up into smaller groups of 6-7 otherwise known as a squad and were then able to familiarize themselves with each other by conducting ice breakers. Each squad then moved into drill and ceremony practice before finally being tested on what they’ve learned. Drill and ceremony is a vital tradition in the military and demonstrates proper discipline and military bearing. It is important for Cadets to master this early because it will be used throughout their ROTC and military careers.

Drill and Ceremony — Cadet Null leads a formation through drill and ceremony training.

Over the next quarter the “Fighting Eagles” Battalion will be focusing on teaching the junior level Cadets squad based tactics. Third year Cadet Amayia Roberts said she’s excited to learn about the upcoming topic so she can excel and be “top tier” at ROTC Advanced Camp this summer. 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.

Cadet Roberts conducts the ‘extend to the left’ command during the drill and ceremony practice.

EWU ROTC Cadets will continue to build squad level cohesion over the next couple weeks in order to properly move into squad level tactics. These tactics will be used in harsh terrain and proper morale is necessary to keep the mission a success. Go Fighting Eags!

EWU Army ROTC Fighting Eagles Cadets Conduct Combat Water Survival Testing

11/17/2019 by jstafford3

By: Cadet Austin Bristow

On November 14th, 2019 the Eastern Washington University (EWU) Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) “Fighting Eagles” battalion conducted the Combat Water Survival Test (CWST). The CWST is an event that every Cadet must pass in order for them to commission as officers. The test was held in the Aquatics Center on the EWU campus.

Cadets came in their assigned uniforms excited because of the fact that CWST is the only swimming event scheduled in the regular academic week. Even though the CWST is serious and is necessary for all Cadets, many Cadets also see it as the highlight of the academic quarter.

The first events are a 10-minute swim that requires all Cadets to not touch: the walls of the pool, the floor of the pool, or any other Cadets. After a short rest, Cadets then enter the pool again to tread water for 5-minutes. The other events include a step off the high dive board with a rubber M16, a gear ditch, and a 15-meter swim with a rubber M16 in hand and a fighting load carrier on the body. All of these events (besides the 10-minute swim and 5-minute tread) but be completed in a uniform that includes physical training shorts, tan tee, and ACU top and bottoms.

Due to all the Cadets finishing the CWST early, this allowed Cadets to have some free time. The Cadets used this free time to go over various water survival skills (like inflating a pair of pants for a flotation device) and also do some water-resistant exercises. Not only did over 90% of the Cadets pass the CWST, but they had a great time doing so as well.

Go Fighting Eags!

Note: You can view more pictures from the CWST below:

“Fighting Eagles” Cadets Complete Final Land Navigation Lab of the Fall Quarter

11/01/2019 by jstafford3

By: Cadet Austin Bristow

On October 31st, the Eastern Washington University (EWU) Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC) “Fighting Eagles” battalion conducted its third and final land navigation course for preparation for the upcoming Expert Fighting Eagle Badge test. The land navigation course was meant to be significantly more difficult than past lessons so leadership could assess the Cadets land navigation skills. In order to make the course more difficult, Cadets were encouraged to work alone so they could see where they are truly at. The course also had points significantly farther apart from one another so Cadets were forced to put more thought into planning a route.

Cadets were truly put to the test. Many Cadets were seen using various land navigation fundamentals to change their route to the next point or just making sure they are at the point in accordance to the map. When asked about how the course was compared to previous ones, Cadet Caleb Bullard said, “This one was a real challenge, it felt more like a test rather than a lesson.” Bullard also said, “I had a rough time, but was happy to see what I needed to work on.”

When the land navigation course ended a contracting ceremony was held for Cadet Crystal Cruz. By contracting, Cadet Cruz after graduation will commission as Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. As a contracted Cadet, she will also receive a $420 a month stipend and a $5,000 bonus for completing ROTC Basic Camp this past summer. We are so excited for Cadet Cruz and her future in the United States Army!

Cruz contracting — Cadet Crystal Cruz contracts into the U.S. Army. Retired Army Major, Rob Riedel gives the Oath of Enlistment to Cadet Cruz.

Go Fighting Eags!

EWU Army ROTC Conducts Weapons Familiarization Training During Quarterly Shooting Range

10/22/2019 by jstafford3

By: Cadet Austin Bristow

On October 17th, Eastern Washington University (EWU) Fighting Eagles Battalion traveled out of the local city of Cheney, Washington and executed its Fall weapons range at the Department of Corrections Range located in Medical Lake. The Cadet officer in charge, Cheyenne Sweet (MS-IV), organized the range and executed it with the assistance of other MS-IV Cadets.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3wr778h_eW/

The training objective for the range was to familiarize the Cadets with the various weapons systems that the military uses, the M4, M249, and the new M17 pistol. For some of the new Cadets, this was the first weapons training they had ever received. Cadet Edgar Acosta, a brand new Cadet to the Fighting Eagles battalion, said, “I had always wanted to shoot a firearm, and was happy to get the chance to shoot a couple different firearms back to back.” This viewpoint was equally shared with fellow Cadet Olivia Richied, who said, “my favorite firearm to shoot was the machine gun, the M249!”

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3x40QGBGHp/

Training on weapons safety and marksmanship is one of the key skills that Cadets learn within the EWU Army ROTC program. After all the Cadets completed their weapons familiarization training, the Cadets then used the additional ammunition available to test their shooting skills in a friendly marksmanship competition. The Cadets fired at targets in different positions to challenge their marksmanship skills.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3xN3-ihQy5/

The weapons range was an outstanding training event that properly trained the Cadets on how to safely handle weapons and practice their marksmanship skills. More pictures from the range can be seen below.

Go Fighting Eags!

Cadet Jacob Villasenor (MS-IV) briefs Cadets on weapons safety on the M17 pistol range.

Cadet Pietrina Coe engages targets on the M17 pistol range.

Cadet Elizabeth McGuire engages targets on the M17 pistol range.

Cadet Caleb Bullard engages targets on the M17 pistol range.

Cadet Giovanni Beegan engages targets on the M17 pistol range.

Cadets conduct weapons assembly and disassembly training.

EWU Army ROTC Cadets conduct M4 rifle familiarization training.

Fighting Eagles Cadets Start Spring Quarter With Platoon Operations Training

04/10/2019 by jstafford3

On April 4, 2019, the Eastern Washington University AROTC battalion conducted their first leadership lab of the Spring quarter, kicking it off immediately with platoon operations on the Montague’s Farm property located adjacent to the EWU campus. Over the course of the next month, Cadets will be training on platoon tactics to prepare for our upcoming field training exercise (FTX).

Cadet Scott Hinshaw briefs Cadets on the task, conditions, and standards of the leadership lab.

Following first formation, the OIC of this lab, Cadet Scott Hinshaw, began instructing cadets on formations and order of movement (FOOM) as a platoon size element. Cadets were able to physically see these from a designated demonstration platoon that showed the step-by-step process of movements, as well as linear danger areas (LDAs), and actions on contact. Since these have slightly changed from Squad Operations from last quarter, Cadets were given time to practice these with platoon time in the early hour of the lab.

Cadet First Sergeant Cheyenne Sweet participates in platoon operations training.

Several MS-III (junior) Cadets had the opportunity to rotate through leadership as platoon leader (PL) and platoon sergeant (PSG) to prepare themselves for their upcoming Cadet Summer Training (CST) and Advanced Camp at Ft. Knox, KY.

Fighting Eagles Cadets practice platoon formations on the EWU Intramural Fields.

The hills at Montague’s Farm gives Cadets enough space in their training area to get the fundamentals of basic soldier skills to successfully execute platoon missions. During these patrols, MS-III leadership is able to communicate with their platoon on standard operating procedures (SOPs) for their FTX to make tactics run smoothly and more effectively for their platoons.

EWU ROTC Cadets move in a platoon size formation across the Palouse Hills west of Cheney.

Once done with rotating through platoon time, movements, and LDAs, Cadets then rotated to actions on contact and how to conduct this in a platoon size element. MS-IVs (seniors), assisted MS-III leadership to further develop their knowledge and apply their skills they have learned in their weekly classes. Following the lane, the MS-IV Cadets conducted an after action review (AAR) to test the knowledge of what the Cadets just learned and correct/answer questions that were identified while being on the lane.

EWU ROTC Cadets move across the Montague’s Farm property adjacent to the EWU campus.

Overall, EWU ROTC kicked off their Spring Quarter with a great leadership lab, setting conditions for a successful Spring FTX. It will be challenging and will test the grit of the Cadets, but they are ready to excel at the Spring FTX.