The Eastern Washington University ROTC program has a long and proud tradition that goes all the way back to 1952. Back then EWU was named the Eastern Washington College of Education and every freshman and sophomore male had to participate in ROTC. The below picture is of the very first ROTC class from the 1952-1953 school year:
Pictured in the first row from left to right are Cadets 2nd Lt. Jim Adams, M/Sgt Ken Arlt, M/Sgt. Fred Martin, and M/Sgt. Louie White, Second Row from Left to Right are Cadets Sgt. Bill McKay, Sgt. Duncan Hallet, Sgt. Bill Miller, Sgt. Jerry Jordan, and Sgt. Dick McCoy.
If anyone knows any of the Cadets pictured in this photo please leave a comment and let us know!
This summer Kyle Stanton, a Cadet in the Eastern Washington University ROTC program, not only graduated from the US Army Air Assault School, but received an Army Achievement Medal (AAM) in recognition for placing first is the 12-mile road march event. His story was even featured on the official US Army website:
Cadet Kyle Stanton, a senior at Eastern Washington University (EWU), returned home on July 26th after successfully completing the US Army Air Assault School in Fort Hood, Texas. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)
Cheney, Wash — Cadet Kyle Stanton, a senior at Eastern Washington University (EWU), returned home on July 26th after successfully completing the US Army Air Assault School in Fort Hood, Texas. In addition to the air assault qualification Cadet Stanton received the Army Achievement Medal for placing first out of 62 Soldiers in the twelve-mile road march.
Air Assault School is a 10-day course designed to prepare Soldiers for insertion, evacuation, and pathfinder missions that call for the use of multipurpose transportation and assault helicopters. Air Assault training focuses on the mastery of rappelling techniques and sling load procedures, skills that involve intense concentration and a commitment to safety and preparation. It consists of three phases; the combat assault, sling load operations, and rappelling phases. The school culminates with a twelve-mile road march that must be completed in under three hours on the morning of graduation. Cadet Stanton finished this final road march in only two hours and 26 minutes. [US Army.mil]
The rest of the article can be read at the link, but congratulations to Cadet Stanton for graduating Air Assault School and receiving an AAM.
