On June, 18 2021, the Eastern Washington University (EWU) Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) “Fighting Eagles” battalion conducted its Spring Commissioning Ceremony. Due to COVID mitigation measures, the ceremony was held in the EWU Fieldhouse with commissionees and guests wearing masks. The moderator for the commissioning ceremony was EWU Army ROTC Recruiting and Operations Officer (ROO), Ms. Linda Moody:
Ms. Linda Moody served as the moderator for the ceremony.
The path to this day was not an easy one for the commissionees. All the Cadets conducted up to 4 years of military training in the ROTC program, had to meet rigorous academic requirements, build strong physical fitness, among a host of other challenging requirements. The most challenging thing these young leaders had to face was having to commission in the midst of a deadly pandemic. The commissionees had to complete over a year of school entirely online and conduct their ROTC training partially online and in person with specified health and safety protocols. They are a truly remarkable group of young leaders well deserving to commission as Army officers.
Spring 2021 EWU Army ROTC Commissioning Class.
The commissioning ceremony began with the singing of the national anthem followed by opening remarks by the EWU Army ROTC Professor of Military Science, Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Jonathan Stafford.
Following the remarks from LTC Stafford, the guest speaker retired Chief Warrant Officer 5 Gary Nisker from the EWU Class of 1976 gave his speech. Chief Nisker provided some inspiring words to our Cadets about his time in ROTC to include a few humorous moments.
Following CW5 Nisker’s speech he was then inducted into the EWU Military Science Hall of Fame. EWU Army ROTC appreciates CW5 Nisker speaking to our Cadets and we congratulate him on becoming part of the Hall of the Fame:
LTC Stafford presents CW5 Nisker with the plaque that will hang in Cadet Hall inducting him into the EWU Military Science Hall of Fame.
After CW5 Nisker’s speech the Cadets the Cadets each came forward to be administered the Army Oath of Office to officially commission them as a 2LT into the U.S. Army.
2LT J.P. Dutton (left) receives the oath of office from his father retired Air Force Colonel James Dutton.
The Cadets then had family members pin their rank on their uniforms:
2LT Collin Galbreath is pinned his rank by his parents.2LT Austin Bristow was pinned his rank by his uncle and grandmother.2LT Megan Baker (center) was pinned her rank by her parents.
After the pinning, the Cadets then received their first salute from a current or former enlisted person. After receiving the salute the Cadet then gives the enlisted person a silver dollar:
2LT Christian Goldbach receives his first salute from his brother, Army Staff Sergeant Marcus Goldbach.2LT John Drohman (left) receives his first salute from retired Navy Chief Warrant Officer 3 Thomas Clark.2LT Liam Hewey receives his first salute from his father retired Air Force Master Sergeant Robert Hewey.
Congratulations to the following Cadets for commissioning as officers into the U.S. Army:
On December 18, 2020 the Eastern Washington University (EWU) Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) “Fighting Eagles” battalion conducted its annual Spring commissioning ceremony. The ceremony is normally held in the historic Showalter Hall auditorium on the beautiful EWU campus. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions the ceremony was held at the EWU Fieldhouse and limited to a group of 10 people following required social distancing and masking requirements. During the ceremony Cadets Andreas Brazier and Kylie Crooks were commissioned as Army officers.
The path to this day was not an easy one for the commissionees. All the Cadets conducted up to 4 years of military training in the ROTC program, had to meet rigorous academic requirements, build strong physical fitness, pass the 37-day long ROTC Advanced Camp at Ft. Knox, Kentucky, among a host of other challenging requirements before they could commission as a Second Lieutenant (2LT) in the U.S. Army.
EWU Army ROTC Recruiting and Operations Officer, Ms. Linda Moody narrates the Fall 2020 Commissioning Ceremony.
The ceremony was narrated by the EWU Army ROTC Recruiting and Operations Officer, Ms. Linda Moody and opening marks were given by the EWU Army ROTC Professor of Military Science, Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Jonathan Stafford.
LTC Jonathan Stafford gives his opening remarks.
The first cadet to commission was Andreas Brazier who has graduated from EWU with a Political Science degree and a minor in Military Science. He commissioned virtually over Zoom from his family’s home on the west side of Washington. Andreas was a high performing Cadet that received the highest rating of “Outstanding” at Advanced Camp at Ft. Knox, Kentucky and was one of our fittest Cadets by regularly maxing the Army Physical Fitness Test. He was also a member of the Ranger Challenge team that finished second during last year’s regional competition; Eastern’s highest finish in 20 years. Andreas received his first branch choice and will serve in the U.S. Army as an Infantry Officer. The oath of office was administered by his friend Captain David Herron, United States Marine Corps.
2LT Brazier receives his officer oath of enlistment.
He was pinned his rank by his mother Lisah Moegling.
2LT Brazier receives a hug after being pinned his rank by his mother.
His best friend Tim Trainer, Private First Class, United States Army gave 2nd Lieutenant Brazier his first salute.
Congratulations to 2nd Lieutenant Andreas Brazier.
2LT Andreas Brazier
The second Cadet to commission was Kylie Crooks who graduated from both EWU and Washington State University College of Nursing in Spokane. Cadet Crooks is a high performing Cadet who is also a member of the U.S. Army Reserve where she drives tugboats for a Transportation Company in Tacoma. Now as a commissioned officer she has branched into the U.S. Army Nurse Corps. During her time in EWU Army ROTC, Kylie has received many awards and scholarships to include receiving the 2019 Randy Van Turner ROTC Scholarship and the newly established 2020 Citizen Soldier Scholarship. She also received the highest rating of “Outstanding” at ROTC Advanced Camp and was recognized this year with the Major General Barbara R. Holcomb Army Nurse Cadet Excellence Award.
Table with awards for Cadet Crooks.
This award recognized 2nd Lieutenant Crooks as the top nursing Cadet in the 8th ROTC Brigade that covers all 30 ROTC programs across the West Coast and Inland Northwest of the United States. For winning the award she was presented with a stethoscope during the ceremony.
The Major General Barbara R. Holcomb Army Nurse Cadet Excellence Award presented to 2nd Lieutenant Kylie Crooks.
The oath of office was administered to 2nd Lieutenant Crooks’ by her uncle Captain Matt Crooks, who is an officer in the United States Army Nurse Corps.
Her 2nd Lieutenant rank was pinned by her mother Marianne and father Jarrod Crooks.
2nd Lieutenant Crooks’ parents pin her new rank.
Tyler Crooks, Airman First Class United States Air Force and 2nd Lieutenant Crooks’ brother rendered the first salute.
2LT Crooks’ brother rendered the first salute.
Congratulations to 2nd Lieutenant Kylie Crooks.
2nd Lieutenant Crooks signs her commissioning contract.2nd Lieutenant Kylie Crooks the Army’s newest nursing officer.
EWU Army ROTC thanks the university Provost office for approving the hosting of this small ceremony at the Fieldhouse. Even a small ceremony with risk mitigation measures in place made this a special event for the Cadet. We also thank all the friends, family, alumni, and guests that viewed the ceremony over Zoom. We hope to see you all in-person in the near future once the pandemic conditions improve. We also thank the EWU Veterans Resource Center for providing the veteran coins and honor cords for graduation that was given to each new lieutenant. Finally one more congratulations to both of our new 2nd Lieutenants, we are all so very proud of you. Eagle Strong!
On June 12, 2020 the Eastern Washington University (EWU) Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) “Fighting Eagles” battalion conducted its annual Spring commissioning ceremony. The ceremony is normally held in the historic Showalter Hall auditorium on the beautiful EWU campus. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions the ceremony was held outside on the hill behind Cadet Hall and limited to a group of 10 or less. Because of the pandemic restrictions, individual ceremonies were held every 30-minutes through out the day for each Cadet using six foot social distancing guidelines and masks when required. A complete video of the ceremony can be viewed on our EWU Army ROTC Youtube channel:
2020 was the 65th straight year that Eastern has produced officers for the U.S. Army. The EWU ROTC program was established in 1952 and the first commissioning class was in 1955. For academic year 2020, the Eastern ROTC program has commissioned a total of 20 officers into the U.S. Army, which is it’s largest commissioning class in over 20 years. Opening remarks for the ceremony were provided by the EWU Army ROTC, Professor of Military Science, Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Jonathan Stafford.
LTC Jonathan Stafford, the EWU Army ROTC Professor of Military Science gives his remarks.
Guest Speaker
Following the remarks from LTC Stafford, the guest speaker for the ceremony, retired Brigadier General Nikki Griffin Olive gave her remarks. BG Griffin Olive is a Spokane native who graduated from Central Valley High School and is also a 1990 graduate from Eastern’s ROTC program. She traveled from her home outside of Atlanta, Georgia to attend the ceremony.
BG Griffin Olive gives her guest speech at the 2020 Spring Commissioning Ceremony.
BG Griffin Olive retired in November 2020 after a 30 year Army career that culminated with her on deployment as the Commanding General (Troop Program Unit), 335th Signal Command (Theater), Operational Command Post (Forward), Kuwait. In addition to being our guest speaker BG Griffin Olive was also inducted as the eighth member of the EWU Military Science Hall of Fame. A plaque in honor of BG Griffin Olive’s career has been added to the Hall of Fame inside of Cadet Hall.
EWU Army ROTC thanks BG Griffin Olive for the inspiring words to our new lieutenants and her incredible service to our great nation. EWU ROTC also thanks the EWU Veterans Resource Center for providing the veteran coins and honor cords for graduation that was given to each new lieutenant. We also thank the EWU Alumni office for providing Eagle4Life pins to each of the new lieutenants.
2LT Jazmin Castrejon receives her veteran cord and Eagle4Life pin.
The Challenge of Becoming an Army Officer
The path to this day was not an easy one for the Class of 2020. All these Cadets conducted up to 4 years of military training in the ROTC program, had to meet rigorous academic requirements, build strong physical fitness, pass the 37-day long ROTC Advanced Camp at Ft. Knox, Kentucky, among of host of other challenging requirements before they could commission as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Besides the overcoming the typical rigors of the ROTC program, the class of 2020 also had to complete their last quarter college under pandemic conditions. The pandemic restrictions caused all of their classes, leadership labs, and physical training activities to be moved on line. The commissioning ceremony is the first in-person event they have been part of since winter quarter.
Academic year 2020 commissionees Ian House, Joseph Jordan, Jazmin Castrejon, Coy Odiorne, and Melinda Leen attending the 37-day, 2019 Advanced Camp at Ft. Knox, Kentucky.
The Class of 2020 besides excelling as Cadets, were also very active on campus as well executing cannon crew duties during the home football games, participating in volunteer activities such as our annual blood drive, assisting with color guard, and being part of the Ranger Challenge team. They are a truly remarkable group of young leaders.the Cadets each came forward to be administered the Army Oath of Office to officially commission them as a Second Lieutenant (2LT) into the U.S. Army.
The Army Oath of Office
I (state your name), have been appointed an officer in the Army of the United States in the grade of Second Lieutenant do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter. So help me God.
Following the Officer Oath of Office family members then came up and put on the Second Lieutenant rank on to the new officers. After the pinning of the rank each newly minted officer received their first salute from the enlisted person of their choice. Part of the tradition of the first salute is that the enlisted servicemember receives a silver dollar from the officer.
Virtual Commissionings
The first five Cadets who were unable to return to campus commissioned virtually over Zoom. Below are pictures of the Cadets commissioning over Zoom.
2LT Erling Anderson (left) receives his first salute from First Sergeant Jason Hennig (right), the former Senior Military Science Instructor for EWU Army ROTC. 2LT Anderson graduates with degrees in Design Technology and Construction Management and Manufacturing Technology. He is also a Distinguished Military Graduate who will serve as an active duty officer in the Army Corps of Engineers.2LT Ian House (right) is commissioned by his father, U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander Brent Alan House (left). 2LT House graduates with a degree in History and will serve as a active duty Field Artillery officer.2LT Cheyenne Sweet (right) is given the oath of office by 2LT Haley Isaacson, a 2019 EWU Army ROTC graduate. 2LT Sweet graduates with a criminal justice degree and will serve as an active duty Field Artillery officer.2LT Chad Triplett is given the oath of office over Zoom, by 2LT Kyle Isaacson, a 2019 EWU Army ROTC graduate. Cadet Triplett is a Distinguished Military Graduate who was also selected as the recipient of the Legion of Valor Bronze Cross and the Admiral George Lotzenhiser Saber Leadership Award. He graduates with a degree in criminal justice and will serve as an active duty Infantry officer.
Individual In-Person Commissionings
After the five virtual commissions, our final ten Cadets individually commissioned in-person at Cadet Hall. Below are pictures of each Cadet taken during the ceremony. A complete collection of the photos taken can be viewed and downloaded from our EWU Army ROTC Flickr page.
2LT Megan Anderson (left) receives the oath of office from 2LT Melinda Leen a 2019 EWU Army ROTC graduate. 2LT Anderson graduates with an interdisciplinary studies degree and will serve as an active duty Ordnance Corps officer.2LT Jazmin Castrejon receives her first salute over Zoom from her sister U.S. Army Private Karina Castrejon who is currently stationed in South Korea. 2LT Castrejon graduated with two degrees in Communications and Spanish. She will serve as an active duty officer in the Transportation Corps. She will also serve as a Gold Bar recruiter this summer for EWU Army ROTC.U.S. Army Private Karina Castrejon gives her sister 2LT Jazmin Castrejon her first salute from South Korea.2LT Samuel Coutts receives his first salute from Edwin Coutts, his grandfather and retired U.S. Navy Second Class Petty Officer. 2LT Coutts graduates with a degree in Engineering and will serve as an active duty Engineering officer.2LT Cesar Guzman is administered the oath of office by Major Nicholas Carbaugh, the EWU Army ROTC Assistant Professor of Military Science. 2LT Guzman graduates with a degree in Biology and will serve as a Signal officer in the Washington State National Guard. 2LT Joseph Jordan takes the oath of office which is administered by Major Jose Alfaro over Zoom. 2LT Jordan graduates with a degree in Criminal Justice and will serve as an active duty officer in the Chemical Corps.2LT Sarah Mullen receives her first salute from Master Sergeant (MSG) Michael Zehring, the EWU Army ROTC Senior Military Science Instructor. 2LT Mullen graduates with a nursing degree and will serve on active duty in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps. 2LT Coy Odiorne receives the oath of office from LTC Jonathan Stafford. 2LT Odiorne served as the 2019 Ranger Challenge team captain that were runner-ups at this year’s competition. 2LT Odiorne graduates with a history degree and will serve as an active duty Air Defense Artillery officer.2LT Marcos Sanchez celebrates his commissioning with his wife Courtney Sanchez. 2LT Sanchez was selected for the Superior MS-IV Cadet Award. He graduates with a degree in Engineering and will serve as an Engineering officer in the U.S. Army Reserves. EWU ROTC Professor of Military Science, LTC Jonathan Stafford commissions Jacob Villasenor as a Second Lieutenant into the U.S. Army. 2LT Villasenor graduates with a degree in Business Marketing and will serve as a Military Intelligence officer in the Idaho National Guard. Newly commissioned 2LT Robert Wheeler graduates with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and will serve as an active duty Armor officer.
EWU Army ROTC Class of Spring 2020
2LT Erling Anderson / Major: Design Technology/Construction Management and Manufacturing Technology / Branch: Engineers / Distinguished Military Graduate
2LT Megan Anderson / Major: Interdisciplinary Studies / Branch: Ordnance
2LT Chad Triplett / Major: Criminal Justice / Branch: Infantry / Distinguished Military Graduate / Admiral George Lotzenhiser Saber Leadership Award / Legion of Valor Bronze Cross
2LT Jacob Villasenor / Major: Business Marketing / Branch: Military Intelligence
2LT Robert Wheeler / Major: Mechanical Engineering / Branch: Armor
Once again congratulations to all of our new lieutenants and remember a complete gallery of pictures from the commissioning ceremony can be found on our EWU Army ROTC Flickr page.
On December 13, 2019, the Eastern Washington University (EWU) Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) “Fighting Eagles” battalion conducted its Fall Commissioning Ceremony. The ceremony was held in the historic Showalter Hall auditorium on the beautiful EWU campus.
The path to this day was not an easy one for the commissionees. All the Cadets conducted up to 4 years of military training in the ROTC program, had to meet rigorous academic requirements, build strong physical fitness, pass the 37-day long ROTC Advanced Camp at Ft. Knox, Kentucky, among a host of other challenging requirements before they could commission as a Second Lieutenant (2LT) in the U.S. Army. The ceremony began with the benediction given by Cadet Isabelle Erickson. Following the benediction, the EWU Army ROTC Professor of Military Science, Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Jonathan Stafford gave his remarks.
Cadet Isabelle Erickson gives the benediction.LTC Jonathan Stafford gives his remarks to the commissioning Cadets.
Besides excelling in ROTC, Cadets from this group were very active on campus executing cannon crew duties during the home football games, participating in volunteer activities such as our annual blood drive, assisting with color guard, and being part of the Ranger Challenge team. They are a truly remarkable group of young leaders. Following the remarks from LTC Stafford, the Cadets each came forward to be administered the Army Oath of Office to officially commission them as a 2LT into the U.S. Army.
The Army Oath of Office
I (state your name), have been appointed an officer in the Army of the United States in the grade of Second Lieutenant do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter. So help me God.
Following the Officer Oath of Office family members then came up and put on the Second Lieutenant shoulder board rank on to the new officers. After the pinning of the new rank, each newly minted officer received their first salute from the enlisted person of their choice. Part of the tradition of the first salute is that the enlisted servicemember receives a silver dollar from the officer.
2LT Josiah Bryan
LTC Stafford gives the Oath of Office to 2LT Bryan.
2LT Bryan’s wife and grandmother pin on his 2LT bars.2LT Bryan’s cousin, retired Army Sergeant Brian Blair render the first salute.
2LT Melinda Leen
LTC Stafford gives the Oath of Office to 2LT Leen.2LT Leen’s parents pin her 2LT bars on her uniform.SFC Elliott Llerena renders the first salute to 2LT Leen.
2LT Andrew Norby
Retired LTC Kurt Norby gives the oath to 2LT Norby.
2LT Norby’s father pinned on his 2LT bars.Retired Air Force Technical Sergeant Gene Norby renders the first salute.
2LT Malisa Pfennig
1LT Shaqwita Johnson administers the oath to 2LT Pfennig.
2LT Pfennig’s mother and her husband Austin pin on her gold bars.
Following the administering of the oath of office two special guests made a presentation to the new Army officers. EWU ROTC thanks retired Lieutenant Colonel Dave Millet from the EWU Veterans Resource Center for presenting the veterans coins and honor cords to the commissionees today. We also thank Lisa Cargill from the Office of Alumni Relations for presenting Eagle4Life pins to each of the new lieutenants.
Mr. Dave Millet from the Veteran’s Resource Center presents coins and honor cords to the new Second Lieutenants.Lisa Cargill from the Office of Alumni Relations addresses the Cadets.Ms. Lisa Cargill presents Eagle4Life pins to the new Army officers.
Following the presentations from the two guests the newly commissioned officers joined the audience in singing the Army Song before receiving the closing benediction from Cadet Erickson.
Commissioning ceremony attendees sing the Army Song.Cadet Erickson gives the benediction.
Congratulations to our new United States Army officers. Go Eags!
EWU Army ROTC Class of Fall 2019
From left: Andrew Norby, Josiah Bryan, Malisa Pfennig, & Melinda Leen2LT Malisa Pfennig / Major: Interdisciplinary Studies / Branch: Signal Corps2LT Josiah Bryan / Major: Nursing / Branch: Army Nurse Corps2LT Melinda Leen / Major: Criminal Justice / Branch: Military Intelligence2LT Andrew Norby / Major: Recreation / Branch: Aviation
