Reserve Officer Training Corps – Page 27

Fighting Eagles Train on Squad Level Tactics During 2019 Winter FTX

03/13/2019 by jstafford3

From March 7-9, 2019, The “Fighting Eagles” battalion from the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program at Eastern Washington University (EWU) conducted their winter field training exercise (FTX). This FTX was the culmination of all the training the Cadets have conducted at weekly Leadership Labs this quarter. The primary goal of the FTX was to test our MS-III (Junior) Cadets on leading a squad sized element and giving tactical experience to the MS-II (sophomore) and MS-I (freshman) Cadets in a field environment.

MS-IV (senior) Cadet Ryan Smith conducts range card training for MS-I and MS-II Cadets.

The FTX began on Thursday with the weekly leadership lab. The lab gave the Cadets time to rehearse drills and troop leading procedures prior to deploying to the field. On Friday the Cadets and Cadre worked to setup the lanes, draw rifles, and ammunition. On Saturday morning the Cadets then met up at Cadet Hall and deployed out to the Cheney Waterworks for the FTX. The FTX was composed of four main lanes:

movement to contact
squad attack
ambush
area recon

The Cadets for the FTX were issued M4 rifles and M249 Squad Automatic Weapons (SAW) with blank rounds along with SINCGARS radios. Carrying the real weapons, blank ammunition, and tactical radios allowed the Cadets to experience what it is like to carry the additional weight for an extended period of time. The weapons loaded with blank ammunition also allowed the Cadets to practice weapons safety by enforcing procedures to prevent negligent discharges.

Cadet Marco Sanchez carries the M249 SAW.

Walking through deep snow while carrying heavy combat loads challenged the EWU ROTC Cadets.

For the Movement to Contact lane, the MS-III Cadet that served as the squad leader received the mission and went through their troop leading procedures to execute the mission. As the squad moved through the lane, they received fire from an enemy Opposing Force (OPFOR). Once the squad received fire, the squad leader maneuvered the squad to assault the enemy.

Cadets Austin Pfennig and Coy Odiorne look for the enemy.

For the Squad Attack lane the squad leader knew the exact location of the OPFOR. Once the MS-III in charge finished their planning and rehearsals, they would lead their squad near the location and set up their support by fire and assaulting element. Once the squad leader initiated the fight, the support by fire element would fire on the enemy while the assaulting element would go through the objective to clear it.

Cadet Valentino Olmstead on patrol through the woods at the Cheney Waterworks.

For the Ambush lane the squad leader had to position their squad on the objective where the enemy will be traveling through. After planning, the squad leader would position their squad in the path that the OPFOR would be walking through. Once the OPFOR entered a designated kill zone the squad would initiate the ambush.

EWU ROTC Cadets climb a snow covered hill to locate the enemy.

The final lane was Area Recon. Here the squad leader had to plan for a mission where their squad had to locate an enemy force without being seen while observing the enemy. While observing the enemy the Cadets had to collect Priority Intelligence Requirements (PIR) which were then sent to the higher command element via radio.

MS-4 (senior) Cadet Scott Hinshaw (left) conducts an After Action Review after a training lane.

With freezing cold temperatures and constant missions, the EWU ROTC Cadets where tested both physically and mentally during the Winter FTX. This training is used to prepare our MS-III Cadets for Advance Camp at Ft. Knox, Kentucky this summer. Advanced Camp is a requirement for all MS-III Cadets to pass in order to commission as Army officers. The 37-day Advanced Camp is why the Fighting Eagles battalion conducts challenging training to prepare the MS-III Cadets as much as possible for camp.

Go ROTC! Go Fighting Eags!

Note: More pictures from the Winter FTX can be seen below:

Fighting Eagle Cadets Conduct Winter 2019 Army Physical Fitness Test

03/09/2019 by jstafford3

This week Cadets from the Eastern Washington University (EWU) Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program conducted the Winter quarter Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) inside the EWU Fieldhouse. The APFT is a three event test that measures the muscular and cardiovascular endurance of the person taking the test. The first part of the APFT is the pushup event where the Cadets each had to do as many pushup repetitions as possible within a 2-minute timeframe.

The second part of the APFT is the situp event. During this event each Cadet had to do as many situp repetitions as possible with their hands behind their neck within a 2-minute timeframe.

The third and final event of the APFT is the 2-mile run. Due to inclement weather conditions the 2-mile run was executed on the indoor track inside the Fieldhouse. The Cadets had to complete 16 laps around the Fieldhouse to complete the 2-mile run portion of the APFT.

Being able to pass the APFT is an important milestone within the ROTC training program. Receiving a passing score as well as meeting Army height/weight requirements allows Cadets to contract into ROTC and access scholarship benefits, a $420 monthly stipend, apply for ROTC sponsored internships, and attend advanced military training.

For anyone thinking of joining ROTC that may be concerned that they are not in shape to pass the APFT, don’t worry because most new Cadets do not have the fitness level to pass. The ROTC process is about building leaders and developing physical fitness is part of the program. EWU ROTC conducts physical training (PT) each weekday morning that prepares Cadets to pass and excel at the APFT. Most new Cadets after completing a quarter of ROTC see dramatic improvements in their fitness level.

For anyone interested in improving their fitness and exploring ROTC please give our Enrollment Officer Mr. Rob Riedel a call at 509-359-6109.

Go ROTC! Go Fighting Eags!

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!

EWU ROTC Cadet Selected as A Finalist for the Harry Truman Scholarship

02/27/2019 by jstafford3

Eastern Washington University (EWU) student and ROTC Cadet Nicholas Null, has been selected as a finalist for the Harry Truman Scholarship. Cadet Null was one of five college students selected from Washington State as a finalist for the scholarship. Cadet Null is a MS-III (junior) Cadet in the university’s Fighting Eagles ROTC battalion.

Cadet Nicholas Null

The Harry Truman Foundation was created by Congress in 1975 based on the original idea from President Truman of having a scholarship that would support future generations who answer the call to public service. Public service by becoming an Army officer is what Cadet Null is currently working towards in the EWU ROTC program. However, becoming a military lawyer is Cadet Null’s ultimate goal and receiving this scholarship will bring him one step closer to attending law school as a graduate student.

Next up for Cadet Null is that he will be interviewed at a Harry Truman Foundation office in Seattle next month along with other Finalists from the Pacific Northwest. The Finalists with the best interviews will be offered a scholarship to attend a graduate school of their choice. The Fighting Eagles are very proud of Cadet Null being selected as a Finalist and wish him all the best next month as he conducts his final interviews to compete for the scholarship.

Go ROTC! Go Fighting Eags!

Eastern Washington University Army ROTC Cadet Selected for Engineering Internship Program

02/26/2019 by jstafford3

The Eastern Washington University (EWU) Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program continues to have great success having Cadets accepted for internships. The latest Cadet to receive an internship was Robert Wheeler. Cadet Wheeler was selected for the Engineering Internship Program (EIP) sponsored by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Cadet Wheeler was selected for the internship through a U.S. Army Cadet Command sponsored competitive nomination process that required him to demonstrate academic excellence, physical fitness, and high character.

Cadet Robert Wheeler

This summer Cadet Wheeler will travel to Louisiana and intern with the USACE New Orleans District. The USACE district in New Orleans is responsible for operating the dams, levies, spillways, bridges, and canals along the lower reaches of the Mississippi River. During the internship Cadet Wheeler will be exposed to and perform engineering functions such as design, project management, project engineer, Quality Assurance, and Geographic Information Systems responsibilities. Cadet Wheeler is studying mechanical engineering at EWU which this internship will provide invaluable experience and knowledge for his degree.

Congratulations to Cadet Wheeler for being selected for this great internship.

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.