EWU ROTC – Page 31 – EWU Army ROTC

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!

Eastern Washington ROTC Cadet Defends Capstone Project Focused on PTSD Treatment

03/08/2019 by jstafford3

Congratulations to Cadet Andrew Norby for successfully defending his Capstone Project today to members of the Eastern Washington University faculty.

Cadet Norby’s capstone was about how the drug MDMA combined with psychotherapy has the potential to help treat people that suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The EWU cadre and fellow Cadets that attended his presentation learned a lot about this topic that is important to veterans and first responders. Great job by Cadet Norby for researching and successfully defending his capstone project.

Throwback Thursday: The 1999 EWU ROTC Ranger Challenge Team

03/07/2019 by jstafford3

This picture dated 1999, shows EWU ROTC Cadets holding a plaque for finishing first place in the Ranger Challenge competition against other ROTC programs in the region. Do any alumni remember taking this picture?

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!

Throwback Thursday: The 1983 EWU ROTC Chicken Feast

02/28/2019 by jstafford3

This picture I found dated as being from 1983, shows Cadets out in the field preparing chickens to be cooked. Are there any alumni from 1983 that remember conducting this training?

By the way if anyone is wondering, no, we no longer do this training.