Leadership Lab – Page 4

EWU Army ROTC Conducts Welcome Back Leadership Lab

01/12/2020 by jstafford3

By: Cadet Marcos Sanchez

On January 8^th 2020, Eastern Washington University (EWU) Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC) Cadets kicked off the New Year and the winter academic quarter by conducting a Welcome Back Leadership Lab. During the lab Cadets were split up into smaller groups of 6-7 otherwise known as a squad and were then able to familiarize themselves with each other by conducting ice breakers. Each squad then moved into drill and ceremony practice before finally being tested on what they’ve learned. Drill and ceremony is a vital tradition in the military and demonstrates proper discipline and military bearing. It is important for Cadets to master this early because it will be used throughout their ROTC and military careers.

Drill and Ceremony — Cadet Null leads a formation through drill and ceremony training.

Over the next quarter the “Fighting Eagles” Battalion will be focusing on teaching the junior level Cadets squad based tactics. Third year Cadet Amayia Roberts said she’s excited to learn about the upcoming topic so she can excel and be “top tier” at ROTC Advanced Camp this summer. Advanced Camp is Cadet Command’s premier annual training event that assesses Cadets on their ability to conduct basic officer leadership tasks. Cadets usually attend Advanced Camp during the summer between their junior and senior years of college. Passing Advanced Camp is a mandatory requirement for all Cadets who want to commission as an officer in the U.S. Army after graduation.

Cadet Roberts conducts the ‘extend to the left’ command during the drill and ceremony practice.

EWU ROTC Cadets will continue to build squad level cohesion over the next couple weeks in order to properly move into squad level tactics. These tactics will be used in harsh terrain and proper morale is necessary to keep the mission a success. Go Fighting Eags!

Fighting Eagles Cadets Start Spring Quarter With Platoon Operations Training

04/10/2019 by jstafford3

On April 4, 2019, the Eastern Washington University AROTC battalion conducted their first leadership lab of the Spring quarter, kicking it off immediately with platoon operations on the Montague’s Farm property located adjacent to the EWU campus. Over the course of the next month, Cadets will be training on platoon tactics to prepare for our upcoming field training exercise (FTX).

Cadet Scott Hinshaw briefs Cadets on the task, conditions, and standards of the leadership lab.

Following first formation, the OIC of this lab, Cadet Scott Hinshaw, began instructing cadets on formations and order of movement (FOOM) as a platoon size element. Cadets were able to physically see these from a designated demonstration platoon that showed the step-by-step process of movements, as well as linear danger areas (LDAs), and actions on contact. Since these have slightly changed from Squad Operations from last quarter, Cadets were given time to practice these with platoon time in the early hour of the lab.

Cadet First Sergeant Cheyenne Sweet participates in platoon operations training.

Several MS-III (junior) Cadets had the opportunity to rotate through leadership as platoon leader (PL) and platoon sergeant (PSG) to prepare themselves for their upcoming Cadet Summer Training (CST) and Advanced Camp at Ft. Knox, KY.

Fighting Eagles Cadets practice platoon formations on the EWU Intramural Fields.

The hills at Montague’s Farm gives Cadets enough space in their training area to get the fundamentals of basic soldier skills to successfully execute platoon missions. During these patrols, MS-III leadership is able to communicate with their platoon on standard operating procedures (SOPs) for their FTX to make tactics run smoothly and more effectively for their platoons.

EWU ROTC Cadets move in a platoon size formation across the Palouse Hills west of Cheney.

Once done with rotating through platoon time, movements, and LDAs, Cadets then rotated to actions on contact and how to conduct this in a platoon size element. MS-IVs (seniors), assisted MS-III leadership to further develop their knowledge and apply their skills they have learned in their weekly classes. Following the lane, the MS-IV Cadets conducted an after action review (AAR) to test the knowledge of what the Cadets just learned and correct/answer questions that were identified while being on the lane.

EWU ROTC Cadets move across the Montague’s Farm property adjacent to the EWU campus.

Overall, EWU ROTC kicked off their Spring Quarter with a great leadership lab, setting conditions for a successful Spring FTX. It will be challenging and will test the grit of the Cadets, but they are ready to excel at the Spring FTX.

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!

Fighting Eagles Cadets Show Their Toughness Conducting Squad Operations Despite Deep Snow

02/16/2019 by jstafford3

On February, 14 2019, the Eastern Washington University (EWU) ROTC battalion conducted its weekly Leadership Lab at John F. Kennedy (JFK) Field and inside Cadet Hall. The freezing temperatures and record snow fall did not stop the “Fighting Eagles” Cadets from conducting their training. This February the Spokane area has seen five times the normal amount of snowfall leading to deep snow levels on the EWU Campus.

Cadet Hall surrounded by deep snow.

At this week’s Leadership Lab the Cadets trained on how to properly execute squad attack and assault drills. The platoons while inside Cadet Hall rehearsed the drills before rotating outside to be evaluated on JFK Field. Once outside the Cadets met up with their MS-IV (senior) Cadet who evaluated each squad within the platoon on how well they executed the attack and assault drills.

EWU ROTC Cadet maneuver across JFK Field on the EWU campus.

The MS-III (junior) Cadets were responsible for leading each squad as part of their preparation for Advanced Camp. Advanced Camp is held each summer at Ft. Knox, Kentucky and the 37 day event is the culmination of three years of intense training in the ROTC program.

EWU ROTC Cadets maneuver through deep snow during weekly training.

The MS-III Cadets used skills learned at prior labs to effectively maneuver their squads to flank and assault the enemy during this week’s training. After each drill an after action report (AAR) was held that was facilitated by the MS-IV Cadet to help the MS-III improve on anything they did wrong during the drill.

MS-IV Cadet Megan Anderson (center) mentors subordinate Cadets.

At the completion of the lab a final formation was held where the EWU ROTC Professor of Military Science (PMS), Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Jonathan Stafford recognized the Hero of the Lab. For this week’s lab, MS-II (sophomore) Cadet Emma Latour was recognized as the Hero of the Lab for how clearly she communicated with her fellow squad members and the high motivation she showed despite the deep snow and cold.

14 Feb. 2019 Hero of the Lab

Great job this week by Cadet Latour and all the other outstanding Fighting Eagles Cadets.

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 Eags!

Go ROTC! Go Fighting Eags!

Go ROTC! Go Fighting Eags!

Go ROTC! Go Fighting Eagles!