It was another busy Saturday on October 6, 2018 as the EWU ROTC “Fighting Eagle” Cadets supported the home football team in their game against Southern Utah University. The ROTC Cadets supported the game by executing both Color Guard and Cannon Crew duties. Captain Nicholas Carbaugh was the Cadre member in charge of game day preparations which included driving our crowd favorite Jeep, “Lil Eag” up to Roos Field with our historic historic M1A1 Pack Howitzer in tow:
The cannon first entered service during World War II with the 10th Mountain Division where it saw action against enemy forces during division operations in Italy. The cannon after World War II has become a key part of EWU home football games as it is fired after every touchdown by the home team.
The cannon crew had another busy day as it fired the howitzer after 7 home team touchdowns, with Eastern Washington University winning the game over Southern Utah University by a score of 55-17.
This weekend the Eastern Washington University (EWU) ROTC Cannon Crew and Color Guard will be back in action in support of the home football team as they take on Southern Utah at Roos Field. Kickoff is at 12:05 PM. To get everyone ready for the game here is a short video showing the Cannon Crew firing after each touchdown from EWU’s 70-17 victory over Cal Poly on September 22.
On September 20, 2018 the Eastern Washington University (EWU) Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program contracted 10 Cadets into the US Army. A Contracting Ceremony was held in front of Showalter Hall which is the oldest building on EWU’s campus. Showalter Hall was built back in 1915 when EWU was a teacher’s college. (Note: All the following pictures provided by Mr. Rob Riedel)
The Contracting Ceremony was attended by senior university leadership, fellow Cadets, alumni, friends, and family.
All 10 Cadets recited the Oath of Enlistment given to them by Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Stafford, the Professor of Military Science and Department Chair for the EWU ROTC program.
The first Oath of Enlistment was developed during the Revolutionary War when the Continental Congress established different oaths for the enlisted men and officers of the Continental Army. Here is what the original oath said:
“I _____, do acknowledge the Thirteen United States of America, namely, New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, to be free, independent, and sovereign states, and declare, that the people thereof owe no allegiance or obedience to George the third, king of Great Britain; and I renounce, refuse and abjure any allegiance or obedience to him; and I do swear that I will, to the utmost of my power, support, maintain, and defend the said United States against the said king, George the third, and his heirs and successors, and his and their abettors, assistants and adherents; and will serve the said United States in the office of _____, which I now hold, and in any other office which I may hereafter hold by their appointment, or under their authority, with fidelity and honour, and according to the best of my skill and understanding. So help me God.”
The first Oath of Enlistment under the Constitution was approved by an Act of Congress on 29 September 1789. It applied to all commissioned officers, noncommissioned officers, and enlisted Soldiers in the United States military.
The oath would receive minor modifications during the 1800’s, but the current oath recited by the contracting Cadets has remained unchanged since 1959. Here is the current Oath of Enlistment:
“I, _____, 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; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.”
By contracting the Cadets can now activate scholarship benefits, receive a monthly monetary stipend, attend advanced training, and other opportunities to help them towards their goal of becoming a US Army officer after graduating from EWU.
Following the reciting of the Oath of Enlistment, the 10 Cadets were then given their right shoulder sleeve EWU ROTC patch. The patch was presented by Sergeant First Class Jason Hennig who explained the importance of the right shoulder sleeve patch that recognizes combat service in the active US Army. In the EWU ROTC program the right should sleeve patch recognizes these Cadets’ commitment to the program by contracting.
Our Eastern Washington University (EWU) ROTC Color Guard team started out the 2018 football season with a flawless performance presenting the flags before EWU’s home opener against Central Washington University. It was a beautiful day for football made even better by the great performance of our Color Guard presenting our national and state colors during the national anthem. The EWU football team defeated CWU by a score of 58-13.
Below are a few pictures and a video of the Color Guard team in action:
The EWU Color Guard poses with the EWU Cannon Crew before the start of EWU’s football home opener on Sept. 1, 2018 at Roos Field. Picture provided courtesy of Mr. Jerry Mellick.
The EWU ROTC Color Guard carry out the national and state colors before the playing of the national anthem at Roos Field on Sept. 1, 2018. Photo of Color Guard provided courtesy of Mr. Jerry Mellick.
The EWU ROTC Color Guard marches to the center of Roos Field to present the state and national colors during the playing of the national anthem on Sept. 1, 2018. Picture provided courtesy of Mr. Jerry Mellick.
The EWU ROTC Color Guard presents the state and national colors during the singing of the national anthem at Roos Field on Sept. 1, 2018 before the university’s home opening football game. Picture provided courtesy of Mr. Jerry Mellick.
The EWU ROTC Color Guard marches off of Roos Field on Sept. 1, 2018 after presenting the colors for the playing of the national anthem. Photo courtesy of Mr. Jerry Mellick.
Below is a video of the EWU ROTC Color Guard presenting the colors during the playing of the national anthem at Roos Field:
