Lab Information – Page 5

Fighting Eagles Cadets Conduct Squad Operations Across the Palouse Hills

03/02/2019 by jstafford3

On February, 28 2019, the Eastern Washington University (EWU) Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) battalion conducted its weekly leadership lab on the Montague’s Farm property located to the west of the university’s campus. Much like last week’s training at the Cheney Water Works, the Montague’s Farm property was also covered in knee deep snow. This deep snow was evidence of the grit Fighting Eagles Cadets how to be able to conduct squad operations in rough terrain; while being in freezing cold temperatures.

EWU ROTC Cadets patrol the Palouse hills to the east of Cheney, Washington.

After first formation the officer in charge (OIC) of this week’s lab, Cadet Samuel Coutts gave a safety brief about cold weather injures and explained to the Cadets the task, conditions, and standards for the lab. For this lab the Fighting Eagle Cadets were tested on their skills to properly conduct squad assault battle drills and react to indirect fire. Each squad was assigned an MS-IV (senior) Cadet who evaluated and helped the MS-III (Junior) Cadets conduct their mission. Each MS-III had a chance to rotate through leadership positions to give them further practice before attending Advanced Camp at Ft. Knox, Kentucky this summer. The 37-day camp is a requirement for all MS-III Cadets to pass before commissioning as an officer in the Army.

Cadets take cover after they are engaged by an enemy opposing force (OPFOR).

During the battle drill lanes, the Cadets patrolled along the Palouse hills of Montague’s Farm. The world “Palouse” comes from the French term “land with short grass” which is believed to have come from French fur trappers. The Palouse were formed between 15,000-17000 years from sediment left over from the Great Ice Age Floods. This leftover sediment formed the Palouse much like wind blown sand creates sand dunes. The fertile soil makes for great farming, but during the winter, the hills make for a large and challenging training ground for ROTC Cadets.

Cadets patrol through deep snow.

While patrolling the Palouse hills the squads were engaged by an enemy opposing force (OPFOR). This triggered the squad leaders to execute their battle drills that focused on getting down, returning fire, getting the squad on line, and yelling out description, direction, and distance. After they had eliminated the OPFOR, the MS-III squad leader had to lead their squad size element through the objective and implement prior lab training to set up 360 security and go through special teams. Once the lane was completed, an MS-IV evaluator would conduct an after action report (AAR) that is used to describe what the Cadet did correctly and identify areas of improvement.

A squad of EWU ROTC Cadets patrol through a section of wooded terrain.

Cadets engage OPFOR that ambushed them in the treeline.

The next lane the Cadets had to rotate to was the indirect fire lane. When a simulated indirect fire attack began the MS-III squad leader that was in charge had to yell out to the rest of their squad a distance and direction to a location that was deemed safe.

Fighting Eagles Cadet rushes up a hill covered in deep snow.

Overall the Fighting Eagles had another great leadership lab to prepare them for the upcoming Winter Field Training Exercise (FTX). The FTX will test the Cadets over 24 straight hours on all the skills they have learned this quarter during leadership labs. It will be another challenging training event that our EWU ROTC Cadets will undoubtedly excel at.

Go ROTC! Go Fighting Eags!

Cheney Water Works Becomes Training Ground for EWU ROTC Battalion

02/24/2019 by jstafford3

On February, 21 2019, the Eastern Washington University (EWU) ROTC battalion conducted its weekly leadership lab at the Cheney Water Works (CWW).

The CWW provides the “Fighting Eagles” Cadets a forested area near the EWU campus to practice their squad operations skills they learned from previous leadership labs. Due to the heavy snow fall this winter, the Cadets were physically challenged during the lab by having to trudge through knee deep snow. With all the physical training that the Cadets do in the morning, they were able to be resilient and push right through it.

Heavy snow covers an open area at the Cheney Water Works.

At first formation, the officer in charge (OIC) Cadet Erling Anderson, gave a safety brief for cold weather injuries and explained to the Cadets what they will be training on during the lab.

Cadet Erling Anderson (far right) briefs the Fighting Eagles Cadets prior to executing the weekly leadership lab.

At this weekly leadership lab the Fighting Eagles Cadets were tested on their skills to properly conduct an ambush and an area reconnaissance mission. After first formation each squad moved to their designated area in the woods to conduct their training. Each squad was assigned an MS-IV (senior) Cadet who evaluated and helped the MS-III (Junior) Cadets conduct their mission. The MS-III Cadets had a chance to rotate through leadership roles to give them practice on how to lead a squad size element at either the ambush lane or the recon lane.

EWU ROTC Fighting Eagles Cadets position themselves for a squad ambush.

The ambush lane is where Cadets had to position their squad on the objective where the enemy will be traveling through. The MS-III Cadet had to go through troop leading procedures (TLPs); which they have learned in their military science class from the Cadet Command NCO Instructor of the Year, Sergeant First Class( SFC) Jason Hennig. After the MS-III Cadets planned the mission they would lead their squad through the mission.

EWU Cadets position themselves to conduct a squad ambush.

Other Cadets playing the Opposing Force (OPFOR) would role play the enemy troops traveling down the road. Once the OPFOR reached the ambush site, the squad would then initiate their attack against the enemy force. After the execution of the mission the MS-IV Cadet would do an after action report (AAR), that is used to describe what the Cadet did correctly during the execution of the lane and identify areas of improvement.

EWU ROTC Cadet prepares to engage the enemy during squad ambush training.

During the recon mission, Cadets had to locate an enemy force without being seen. While observing the enemy, the Cadets had to collect Priority Intelligence Requirements (PIR).

EWU ROTC Cadets cross an open area while conducting a reconnaissance mission.

PIR is extremely important information that can be sent to higher command element to be used for future operations. Similar as an ambush, the MS-III Cadets had to go through TLPs to plan and then execute this mission.

Cadet Nicholas Null (center) briefs his squad after returning from reconnaissance mission.

The training conducted at the Cheney Water Works will help prepare the Cadets for next month’s winter Field Training Exercise (FTX). The FTX will test the Cadets on all the skills they have learned this quarter during the leadership labs. Training basic soldier and leadership skills is important for preparing the MS-III Cadets for their upcoming attendance at Advanced Camp at Ft. Knox, Kentucky this summer. The 37-day camp is a requirement for all MS-III Cadets to pass before commissioning as an officer in the Army.

Go ROTC! Go Fighting Eags!

Cold Temperatures Do Not Stop Fighting Eagles from Executing Squad Operations Training

02/08/2019 by jstafford3

On February, 7 2019, the Eastern Washington University (EWU) ROTC battalion conducted its weekly leadership lab at John F. Kennedy (JFK) Field. The temperatures were well below freezing, but this did not stop the Fighting Eagles Battalion Cadets from executing an outstanding leadership lab. This week Cadets went over how to properly execute movement formations and techniques and how to cross a linear danger area (LDA) in squad size elements. After first formation, the officer in charge (OIC) Cadet Ryan Smith, gave an overview brief of the sequences of events for the lab before releasing each platoon to their assigned stations.

Cadet Haley Bent (center) instructs Cadets on proper movement formations.

At each station there was one senior Cadet (MS-IV) assisting and evaluating the squads in each platoon on proper movement techniques. Each platoon started out with movement formations where their MS-IV Cadet showed them how that station should be done. This allowed the junior (MS-III) Cadets an opportunity to see what the performance standards on how the training should look if properly executed. The first station the platoons executed and were evaluated on was movement formations. The movement formations consisted of a wedge, line and file formations. These formations are used in different terrains so that personnel can more easily move through it while maintaining security.

EWU ROTC Cadets practice how to conduct a wedge formation in front of the EWU Computer and Engineering building.

After movement formations, the Cadets then trained and tested on movement techniques. The techniques Cadets executed were “traveling”, which allows personnel to move at a faster pace, but has the least security. The next technique was “traveling over watch”, which is a slower pace than traveling, but provides better security. Finally “bounding over watch” which is when personnel move at a slower pace, but it provides the best security.

Cadet Tyler Roylance (center) provides instruction on how to execute proper movement techniques.

The last training objective that the Cadets executed was a Linear Danger Area (LDA) crossing. This technique is used when personnel are moving towards an objective and have to get across any road or linear area safely. LDA crossings consist of setting up security on both sides of the road, then having the other side of the road secured before the rest of the element crosses the road.

Cadet Megan Anderson (left) trains Cadets during the weekly leadership lab at JFK Field.

After completing each station, the Cadets had an after action report (AAR), that allowed the MS-IV to brief the MS-III Cadets on how their squads performed. Each MS-III was graded at the station with quantifiable performance measures. This helped Cadets know what they need to work on the next time they ran through that station again. The lab ended when all the squads were able to pass the evaluation for each station. The skills trained on during the lab further builds the basic solider knowledge for the Cadets as they prepare for the Winter FTX next month.

Go ROTC! Go Fighting Eagles!

8th ROTC Brigade Command Sergeant Major Visits EWU Army ROTC Battalion

02/01/2019 by jstafford3

Physical Training

The Eastern Washington University (EWU) ROTC “Fighting Eagles” Battalion had the honor of hosting the 8th ROTC Brigade Command Sergeant Major, CSM Mark Cashman. As the senior non-commissioned officer (NCO) in the 8th ROTC Brigade, CSM Cashman is responsible for providing mentorship to the brigade’s NCOs and Cadets in 30 different ROTC battalions in the western United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and Guam. Being a career Infantryman, CSM Cashman looked forward to starting his day by doing early morning physical training (PT) with the Fighting Eagles Cadets in the EWU Fieldhouse. CSM Cashman showed the Cadets what true leadership is by putting in hard work at PT and then hosting a question and answer session with the Cadets afterwards.

CSM Mark Cashman (center) conducted physical training with the EWU ROTC “Fighting Eagle” Cadets.

Campus Visit

Later that morning, CSM Cashman met with one of our great ROTC partners on campus, the Dean of the College of Social Sciences (CSS), Dr. Jonathan Anderson. Dr. Anderson was presented with a 8th ROTC Brigade coin by CSM Cashman due to the support he has provided the university’s ROTC program over the years. The visit with Dean Anderson also allowed CSM Cashman an opportunity to see the beautiful EWU campus.

8th ROTC Brigade Coin

Leadership Lab

Later that day CSM Cashman was able to sit in on a class with the MS-III (3rd year) Cadets, attend a luncheon with a sub-set of Cadets from the battalion, followed by attending the weekly leadership laboratory at John F. Kennedy (JFK) Field. During the lab the Cadets trained on how to conduct what the Army calls “special teams”. The special teams lab taught the Cadets how to execute aid and litter, perform Enemy Prisoner of War (EPW) procedures, and conducting site exploitation.

EWU ROTC Cadets Collin Galbreath (left) and Ian House (right) participate Special Teams training.

At first formation, the officer in charge of the training, Cadet Tyler Roylance briefed the unit on what they will be conducting during the lab. After the brief the Cadets split up in their respective platoons and went to their assigned stations. At each station there were two senior Cadets to demonstrate what they will be doing at their station. This allowed the more junior Cadets an opportunity to see what the performance standards were for the station and how the training should look if properly executed. Every cadet was given the performance measures a week prior to lab so they were able to train on their own in preparation for the lab.

EWU ROTC Cadets participate in the weekly leadership lab training.

The first station conducted was aid and litter training. At this station Cadets had to conduct life saving measures on a simulated casualty that had fallen in combat. They had to treat the casualty’s injures so they could be moved to safer location and be evacuated to a simulated helicopter MEDEVAC (Medical Evacuation). Once the casualty was moved to a different location the Cadets had to call up a MEDEVAC order known as a 9-Line, which they had learned at the prior week’s lab. The next station was EPW training, where Cadets learned how to search captured enemy combatants. The training focused on how to search the person for any information they may have on them, while making sure they had 360 degree security so that they were not in any immediate danger.

Cadet Marcos Sanchez communicates a medical evacuation during the weekly leadership lab.

The final station was site exploitation. This station was where Cadets were trained on how to look for vital information and enemy equipment on the objective after they had secured the area. This trained Cadets to thoroughly search for any sensitive information or equipment such as maps, explosives, etc. The training is important because it teaches the Cadets how to handle these sensitive items and properly report it up the chain of command in case it could be useful for future operations. Overall the lab’s training allowed Cadets to better their skills in special teams, which is always used after any engagement they encounter in squad operations.

Award Ceremony

After the conclusion of the lab a short award ceremony was held to recognize some of the battalion’s outstanding Cadets. First the top two squad leaders from the leadership lab training were recognized with a commander’s coin from the EWU ROTC Professor of Military Science Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Jonathan Stafford. Cadets Hunter Smith and Christian Goldbach received the highest total scores from the evaluators located at each station and were this week’s “Heroes of the Lab”.

Cadets Hunter Smith (left) and Christian Goldback (right).

Additionally during the award ceremony CSM Cashman recognized three high achieving Cadets with an 8th ROTC Brigade coin. The recipients were Madelynn Woodland who is a highly motivated first year Cadet, Jameson Palmer who is a third year Cadet who has been doing a phenomenal job as the Fighting Eagles First Sergeant, and fourth year Cadet Megan Anderson who has excelled at managing the battalion’s training activities each week.

CSM Mark Cashman (far left) recognizes Cadets Madelynn Woodland (2nd from left), Jameson Palmer (center) and Megan Anderson (right).

EWU ROTC thanks CSM Cashman for taking the time to visit the great Cadets of the Fighting Eagles battalion. The Cadets had a fantastic day hosting and receiving mentorship from one of the most senior leaders in Cadet Command. Leaders make time for things that are important and visiting the brigade’s Cadets is a major priority for CSM Cashman.

Go ROTC! Go Fighting Eagles!

Fighting Eagle Cadets Sharpen Army Radio Skills at Leadership Lab

01/18/2019 by jstafford3

On Thursday, January 17, 2019, Eastern Washington University (EWU) Cadets learned how to operate a ASIP radio and proper reporting procedures during their weekly Leadership Laboratory. The Cadets are part of the Army’s Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Fighting Eagles Battalion that trains students on the EWU to become future Army officers.

MS-IV Cadet Commanding Officer Haley Bent briefs Cadets before conducting weekly Leadership Laboratory.

The primary trainers for the lab were the MS-III (Junior) Cadets. The lab gave them practice preparing and executing the training plan for the MS-I (Freshman) and MS-II (Sophomore) Cadets. During the lab, the EWU ROTC Cadets rotated through three stations where they received instruction on how to operate the ASIP radio, perform a SALUTE report, and a situation report (SITREP). During the first station each Cadet had the chance to put an ASIP radio together and set it up to the right channels and frequency to communicate with each other. In the SALUTE report station, Cadets were placed on a hill overlooking a mock scene replicating an enemy position and had to collect information using binoculars. The Cadets then had to use proper SALUTE procedures to report what they saw at the enemy position to their higher headquarters.

MS-III Cadet Chad Triplett trains EWU ROTC Cadets on how to operate an ASIPS radio.

The last station Cadets were trained on was the SITREP station. Cadets were taking the SALUTE report they created at the last station and formed it into a SITREP. This report provides for detailed information for the chain of command. A sitrep is used for giving the commander a report of what their unit is seeing. These stations are bettering the Cadets to use proper communication with the ASIP radio and what reports to use on the radio system.

EWU Cadets train on how to identify and report enemy troop activity.

In the Army we have a saying “Shoot, Move, and Communicate”. During the Fall quarter the EWU ROTC Cadets did plenty of shooting and moving. During Winter quarter the Cadets are now learning how to properly communicate. All the skills the Cadets are learning will prepare them for squad operations training in future labs and for the winter field training exercise (FTX) that is coming up in March.

Go Fighting Eags!

EWU ROTC Conducts Fall 2018 Basic Land Navigation Training

10/12/2018 by jstafford3

Cadets in the Eastern Washington University (EWU) Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program receive extensive training on basic land navigation. Our land navigation training for the first year Cadets began last month during the field training phase of our Jump Start program. This week’s leadership laboratory built on the skills learned during Jump Start and follow on classroom training. During the lab Cadets validated their pace counts, practiced plotting grid points on a map, shooting azimuths with a compass, and finding points on a land navigation course.

*Cadets Lucas McCune (left) and Emily Mahon (right) work to plot grid points on their map.*

The lab was held in the wide open Palouse landscape east of the EWU campus. The rolling Palouse terrain makes for perfect conditions to teach basic land navigation to Cadets.

Cadets find land navigation points in the Palouse plains East of the EWU campus.

The Junior and Senior Cadets during the lab taught basic land navigation skills to the freshman and sophomores. Future land navigation training will occur in the wooded terrain to the east of Cheney that will add a further level of difficulty for the junior Cadets to better master their land navigation skills. Learning land navigation is an important skill for Cadets to learn because most of the Cadets will attend Advanced Camp during the summer between their Junior and Senior years in college. At Advanced Camp being able to successfully pass the land navigation course at Ft. Knox, Kentucky is required for all Cadets. The land navigation training offered in the EWU ROTC program ensures that Cadets are ready to succeed at Advanced Camp.

Below are pictures from the basic land navigation lab:

Cadet Isabelle Erickson (center) listens to the basic land navigation instruction.