From 17-20 September 2019, the Eastern Washington University (EWU) Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) executed its 7th annual Jump Start program. Jump Start is a four day event designed to properly welcome and integrate new Cadets into Eastern’s ROTC program a week before the academic year starts on September 25th.
Day 1
The first thing the new Cadets did for Jump Start was move into the dorms. Other Cadets were on hand to help parents and the new Cadets move into their rooms. A major benefit of Jump Start was that the new MS-1 Cadets were able to move a few days prior to the rest of the student body. After moving into the dorms, the Cadets then conducted administrative inprocessing into the ROTC unit followed by a pizza dinner provided by the Military Science Department.
Day 2
After a successful first day, the second day of Jump Start began with the Cadets conducting team building exercises and then being issued their gear. In the afternoon the Cadets were given classes in map reading, uniform standards, and military customs and courtesies. All the classes were taught by MS II-IV Cadets in the ROTC program.
Day 3
On the third day of Jump Start the Cadets woke early and executed their very first physical training (PT) session. The new Cadets were taught by the more experienced Cadets on how to properly conduct military exercises. They then went on a short run around the EWU campus. After PT the Cadets then prepped to deploy to the field to conduct more initial training.
By lunch time all of the Cadets were out at the Camp Seven Mile training area which is part of Riverside State Park north of Spokane. For lunch the Cadets got to experience their first ever Meal Ready to Eat (MRE). Following lunch the Cadets were taught individual movement techniques, land navigation, and how to throw grenades.
The Cadets were also able to tour a UH-72 Lakota helicopter flown in by Soldiers from the Washington State Army National Guard. The National Guard officers provided an overview brief about the helicopter, allowed Cadets to get inside of it, and answered questions about being an officer in the National Guard.
We also had a couple of special guests come out to Camp Seven Mile to see the Cadets train, the Associate Dean of the College of Social Sciences, Dr. Vernon Loke and the EWU videographer, Mr. Eric Galey.
Day 4
On the final day of Jump Start the Cadet woke up early in the morning at Camp Seven Mile and ate another great MRE meal for breakfast. After breakfast they then departed to conduct their first practical land navigation exercise. Partnered with other Cadets, plotted grid points and then walked and found the points in the surrounding forest. After completing the land navigation training the Cadets then deployed back to the EWU campus where they then participated in a luncheon with their parents and the ROTC Cadre.
Despite some dreary weather, Jump Start 2019 was still a great success. All the new MS-1 Cadets were able inprocess, move into their dorms, become familiarized with Army physical training, and conduct basic Soldier skills training. We wish all of our new EWU Army ROTC Cadets a great upcoming school year as they start down the path towards becoming Army officers.
Go Fighting Eags!
