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
On December 5, 2019 the Eastern Washington University (EWU) Army ROTC “Fighting Eagles” Battalion hosted a Branching Ceremony at Cadet Hall. The ceremony was held to recognize the 18 seniors from the EWU ROTC Class of 2020 by officially pinning on to their Cadet uniforms the branch the Army recently assigned them. To help pin on the branch insignia and recognize the Cadets being pinned were various alumni and friends of the EWU Army ROTC program, who either attended or participated via video.
The US Army has 17 different branches for Cadets to compete for. Being selected into one of the branches is the culmination of an assessment process that begins from the very first day a Cadet enters the ROTC program.
Combat Arms
Combat Support
Combat Service Support
Special Branches
Air Defense Artillery
Chemical Corps
Adjutant General
Army Nurse
Armor Corps
Military Intelligence
Finance Corps
Medical Service
Aviation
Military Police
Ordnance Corps
Corps of Engineers
Signal Corps
Quartermaster
Field Artillery
Transportation
Infantry
The Army’s accessions process ranks all Cadets across the nation based off of factors such as their GPA, physical fitness test score, Advanced Camp performance, volunteer work, Color Guard participation, Ranger Challenge team, etc. During the beginning of their senior year, Cadets rank in order of preference which of the 17 branches in the Army they want to assess into. The Army’s accessions process then uses the various factors mentioned to help decide which branch they will receive. EWU Army ROTC continues to score well above the Cadet Command average with the vast majority of our Cadets receiving their number one branch choice.
Transportation Corps
Jazmin Castrejon
The first Cadet to pin on their branch insignia during the ceremony was Cadet Jazmin Castrejon who branched into the Transportation Corps. Transportation officers are responsible for moving people, equipment, and supplies around the world by sea, air, and land. To pin the Cadet Castrejon was former Transportation officer and retired Lieutenant Colonel Jerry Mellick from the EWU ROTC class of 1967.
Retired LTC Jerry Mellick from the EWU ROTC class of 1967 pins the Transportation Corps insignia on to Cadet Castrejon.Cadet Jazmin Castrejon and retired LTC Jerry Mellick.
Ordnance Corps
Megan Anderson
The next Cadet to receive their branch was Megan Anderson who branched into the Ordnance Corps. Ordnance officers are responsible for the maintenance of Army weapon systems, ammunition, missiles, and vehicles. Via a video presentation, fellow Ordnance officer, 2nd Lieutenant Tyler Bergman from the EWU Class of 2019 congratulated Cadet Anderson on receiving her branch and what it means to be a Ordnance officer.
Cadet Megan Anderson is pinned her Ordnance Corps insignia by EWU Army ROTC Professor of Military Science, LTC Jonathan Stafford.2nd Lieutenant Tyler Bergman congratulates Cadet Megan Anderson via video during the 2019 EWU Army ROTC Branching Ceremony.Cadet Megan Anderson pictured with EWU Army ROTC Professor of Military Science, LTC Jonathan Stafford.
Chemical Corps
Joseph Jordan
Cadet Joseph Jordan was not able to attend the ceremony, but he branched into the Chemical Corps. The Chemical Corps is the branch of the United States Army tasked with defending against chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) weapons. Some branches do not need as many 2nd Lieutenants as others, thus Cadet Jordan will spend approximately 3-4 years in the Chemical Corps before transferring to his control branch which is the Signal Corps. This is called serving a branch detail.
Joseph Jordan – Branch detail Chemical; control branch of Signal Corps
Armor
Robert Wheeler
Jameson Palmer
(Distinguished Military Graduate)
Cadets Robert Wheeler and Jameson Palmer both branched into Armor. Armor’s mission is to close with and destroy the enemy using fire, maneuver, and shock action in armored vehicles. Cadet Palmer was not able to attend the ceremony, but Cadet Wheeler was pinned on his Armor insignia by LTC Stafford. Cadet Wheeler is also serving a branch detail and once complete with his 3-4 years in Armor he will transfer over to the Signal Corps. Besides branching Armor, Cadet Palmer was also selected as a Distinguished Military Graduate which means he ranked in the Top 20% of Cadets across the nation.
Cadet Robert Wheeler is pinned his Armor insignia by Professor of Military Science LTC Jonathan Stafford.Cadet Jameson Palmer was unable to attend the ceremony, but was also branched into Armor.Cadet Robert Wheeler and LTC Jonathan Stafford.
Infantry
Chad Triplett (Distinguished Military Graduate)
The next Cadet to branch was Chad Triplett into the Infantry. Branching into the Infantry is one of the most competitive branches in the Army to be assessed into. As an Infantry officer he will be responsible for leading the infantry and combined armed forces during land combat. Cadet Triplett was also recognized as a Distinguished Military Graduate. To pin Cadet Triplett was retired Brigadier General (BG) Neal Sealock. BG Sealock was a 1974 graduate of EWU that commissioned as an Infantry officer through the university’s ROTC program.
BG Neal Sealock pins the Infantry crossed rifles onto Cadet Triplett.Via video 2nd Lieutenants from the EWU Army ROTC class of 2019 currently attending Infantry training at Ft. Benning, Georgia congratulate Cadet Triplett. (from left: 2LT Bryce Stanton, 2LT Scott Hinshaw, and 2LT Kyle Stanton)Cadet Chad Triplett and BG Neal Sealock.
Engineers
Marcos Sanchez
Erling Anderson (Distinguished Military Graduate)
Samuel Coutts
The next Cadets to pin on their branch insignia were Marcos Sanchez, Erling Anderson, and Samuel Coutts who branched into the Corps of Engineers. Cadet Erling Anderson was also recognized as a Distinguished Military Graduate making him one of the Top 20% of Cadets across the nation. An Engineer officer is responsible for providing full support to the wide range of engineering duties in the Army. They can help build structures, develop civil works programs and even provide combat support. On hand to pin the Engineers insignia on to the Cadets were Captain Samuel Prichard and Captain Kennith Brown from the Walla Walla District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Both officers made the drive up from Walla Walla to not only pin our Cadets branching into the Engineers, but also to educate our other Cadets on hand for the ceremony of the opportunities in the Corps of Engineers.
Captain Brown pins the Engineer insignia on Cadet Marcos Sanchez.Captain Brown pins the Engineer branch insignia on to Cadet Erling Anderson.Captain Brown pins the Engineer branch insignia onto Cadet Samuel Coutts.From left: Captain Samuel Pritchard, CDT Marcos Sanchez, CDT Erling Anderson, CDT Samuel Coutts, and Captain Kennith Brown
The next Cadets to receive their branch were Austin Pfennig and Cesar Guzman who both branched into the Signal Corps. A Signal officer is responsible for providing communications and computer capabilities to Army forces spread across the world.
LTC Stafford pins the Signal Corps insignia on Cadet Austin Pfennig.LTC Stafford pins the Signal Corps insignia on Cadet Cesar Guzman.
From left: CDT Austin Pfennig, CDT Cesar Guzman, and LTC Jonathan Stafford
Field Artillery
Cheyenne Sweet
Ian House
The next Cadets to pin their branch insignia were Cadets Cheyenne Sweet and Ian House who branched into the Field Artillery. Cadet Sweet is branching straight into Field Artillery while Cadet House is on a branch detail for 3-4 years before transferring into his control branch of Military Intelligence. A Field Artillery officer is able to employ indirect firepower with cannons, rockets, and missile systems. They are also able to coordinate for supporting fires from air power and naval gunfire. On hand to pin the branches on to both Cadets were Field Artillery officers, 1st Lieutenant Miranda Munsell from the EWU Army ROTC Class of 2016 and current ROTC Cadre member Captain (Promotable) Nicholas Carbaugh. Both Cadets additionally received a further congratulations on branching into the Field Artillery from 2nd Lieutenant Kyle Isaacson via video who is currently attending Field Artillery training at Ft Sill, Oklahoma.
Cadet Cheyenne Sweet is pinned her Field Artillery insignia by CPT(P) Nicholas Carbaugh.Cadet Ian House is pinned his Field Artillery insignia by CPT (P) Nicholas Carbaugh.2nd Lieutenant Kyle Isaacson congratulates Cadets Sweet and House via video from Ft. Sill, Oklahoma.From left: 1LT Miranda Munsell, CDT Cheyenne Sweet, CDT Ian House, CPT(P) Nicholas Carbaugh.
Military Intelligence
Jacob Villasenor
Melinda Leen
The next Cadets to receive their branch was Jacob Villasenor and Melinda Leen into the Military Intelligence branch. A Military Intelligence officer has a wide variety of functions they are responsible for. An MI officer provides tactical intelligence, counter-intelligence, signals and reconnaissance information to support unit commanders. To congratulate the Cadets for branching into Military Intelligence via video, was 2nd Lieutenant Haley Isaacson from the EWU Army ROTC class of 2019.
LTC Stafford pins the Military Intelligence insignia onto Cadet Jacob Villasenor.LTC Stafford pins the Military Intelligence insignia on to Cadet Melinda Leen.
Current Military Intelligence officer and alumni from the EWU Army ROTC class of 2019, 2nd Lieutenant Haley Isaacson congratulated Cadets Villasenor and Leen via video from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.From left: CDT Jacob Villasenor, CDT Melinda Leen, and LTC Jonathan Stafford
Army Nurse Corps
Josiah Bryan
Sarah Mullen
The next Cadets to receive their branch were Josiah Bryan and Sarah Mullen. Both Cadets are part of the largest degree program in EWU Army ROTC, nursing. Both will serve as healthcare professionals by branching into the Army Nurse Corps. An Army Nurse officer serves in military hospitals around the world where they will train and serve in various clinical specialties such as in the Emergency Room, Operating Room, Community Health, etc.
Cadet Josiah Bryan has his Army Nurse Corps insignia pinned by EWU Army ROTC Professor Military Science, Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Stafford.Cadet Sarah Mullen has her Army Nurse Corps insignia pinned by EWU Army ROTC Professor Military Science, Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Stafford.From left: CDT Josiah Bryan, CDT Sarah Mullen, and LTC Jonathan Stafford
Air Defense Artillery
Coy Odiorne
The 18th and final Cadet to have their branch pinned was Coy Odiorne who branched into the Air Defense Artillery. The mission of Air Defense Artillery is to protect the force and selected geopolitical assets from aerial attack, missile attack, and surveillance. EWU Army ROTC Professor of Military Science and Air Defense Artillery officer, LTC Jonathan Stafford pinned the crossed cannons and missile insignia onto Cadet Odiorne.
LTC Stafford pins the Air Defense Artillery insignia onto Cadet Coy Odiorne.From left: Coy Odiorne and LTC Jonathan Stafford
Following the Branching Ceremony the Cadets shared cake and drink with their fellow Cadets, alumni, university officials, friends, and family that attended the ceremony. The EWU Army ROTC Cadre would like to thank BG(R) Neal Sealock, LTC(R) Jerry Mellick, CPT Samuel Pritchard, CPT Kennith Brown, and 1LT Miranda Munsell for traveling to Cadet Hall to participate in the pinning ceremony. We would also like to thank 2LT Bryce Stanton, 2LT Scott Hinshaw, 2LT Kyle Stanton, 2LT Tyler Bergman, 2LT Kyle Isaacson, and 2LT Haley Isaacson for providing videos congratulating the Cadets as well.
Leaders make time for things that are important and congratulating these Cadets on the significance of their branching shows how important it was to these great leaders. Thank you and Go Fighting Eags!
Great job by our Eastern Washington University (EWU) Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Cadets that supported the food drive for the local Cheney Food Bank. The EWU Army ROTC program gathered 613 items that weighed a total of 704 pounds. Then on Thanksgiving day, seven Cadets that remained in the Spokane area over the holiday break, delivered the food to the Cheney Food Bank. After delivering the food they then participated in the Turkey Trot fundraiser where they rucked 5 kilometers around Cheney. Big thank you to Cadets Michael Beier, Josh Browning, Amayia Roberts, Kaylie Watters, Andrew Norby, Liam Hewey, and Nelson Hergert for supporting the Turkey Trot. It was a great event that once again demonstrated the positive impact our EWU Army ROTC Cadets are having in the local community.
Go Fighting Eags!
Picture of food donated to the Cheney Food Bank.
(from left) Michael Beier, Josh Browning, Amayia Roberts, Kaylie Watters, Andrew Norby, Liam Hewey, Nelson Hergert.
EWU Army ROTC Cadets ruck in front of Eastern Washington University as part of the 2019 Turkey Trot.
EWU ROTC Cadets ruck in front of Cadet Hall during the 2019 Turkey Trot
The Eastern Washington University (EWU) “Fighting Eagles” Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) battalion is pleased to announce that Cadet James P. Dutton has been awarded a 2019 Randy Van Turner ROTC Scholarship.
The scholarship is in honor of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity’s EWU chapter co-founder First Lieutenant Randy Van Turner. Randy was a 1968 graduate from the EWU ROTC program who was a recipient of the Silver Star and was killed in action in 1969 during the Vietnam War. His fraternity brothers decided to honor his service by establishing an ROTC scholarship in his name. The scholarship is awarded to EWU ROTC Cadets that demonstrate academic excellence, high physical fitness, leadership, and financial need. Through a board process, Cadet Dutton was chosen as the fourth Randy Van Turner ROTC Scholarship recipient this year. He will receive one-year of paid tuition to EWU.
Cadet Dutton comes from a military family with his dad having spent 22 years in the U.S. Air Force. He moved to Washington two years ago from Colorado to pursue a double major in Environmental Science and Biology at EWU. James this past summer excelled at Basic Camp at Ft. Knox, Kentucky and is currently preparing to attend Advanced Camp next summer. James’ goal is commission as an officer and pursue a career in Aviation in the Washington Army National Guard. The Randy Van Turner ROTC Scholarship has helped lift the financial burden of paying for his college tuition over the next year so he can spend more time focusing on ROTC and pursuing his dream of becoming a pilot and a wildlife biologist.
Note:If you are interested in donating to the Randy Van Turner ROTC Scholarship please contact the EWU Foundation at 509-359-6703 for more information.
On November 16th, members of the Eastern Washington University’s (EWU) Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) “Fighting Eagles” battalion drove to Four Lakes, Washington to continue the unit’s participation in the Washington State Adopt A Highway program.
EWU Army ROTC Cadets are prepared to clean the highway. From left: Chad Triplett, Cesar, Guzman, Austin Pfennig, Ian House, Cheyenne Sweet, Olivia Roble, Zach Delacerda, & Joseph Jordan
The stretch of road that the Fighting Eagles Cadets are responsible for maintaining is the Lt. Col. Michael P. Anderson Memorial Highway that connects Cheney to Interstate-90. Lt. Col. Anderson was an astronaut who graduated from Cheney High School and was tragically killed in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster.
Ten members of the Battalion showed up with hard hats, safety vests and gloves in order to clean up the trash. Various items like cigarette butts and bottles were expected, but not to the extent that was seen. A total of ten bags of trash were collected on the sides of the freeway, but also more unfamiliar items. A front end of a car, two walking canes, a traffic cone, and a whole dishwasher was picked up and brought to the collection point.
The is the second time in the past six months that the Cadets have cleaned up this section of the highway. The Fighting Eagles Cadets will continue to periodically come out and keep the highway clean in honor of Lt. Col. Anderson. Go Fighting Eags!
On November 14th, 2019 the Eastern Washington University (EWU) Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) “Fighting Eagles” battalion conducted the Combat Water Survival Test (CWST). The CWST is an event that every Cadet must pass in order for them to commission as officers. The test was held in the Aquatics Center on the EWU campus.
Cadets came in their assigned uniforms excited because of the fact that CWST is the only swimming event scheduled in the regular academic week. Even though the CWST is serious and is necessary for all Cadets, many Cadets also see it as the highlight of the academic quarter.
The first events are a 10-minute swim that requires all Cadets to not touch: the walls of the pool, the floor of the pool, or any other Cadets. After a short rest, Cadets then enter the pool again to tread water for 5-minutes. The other events include a step off the high dive board with a rubber M16, a gear ditch, and a 15-meter swim with a rubber M16 in hand and a fighting load carrier on the body. All of these events (besides the 10-minute swim and 5-minute tread) but be completed in a uniform that includes physical training shorts, tan tee, and ACU top and bottoms.
Due to all the Cadets finishing the CWST early, this allowed Cadets to have some free time. The Cadets used this free time to go over various water survival skills (like inflating a pair of pants for a flotation device) and also do some water-resistant exercises. Not only did over 90% of the Cadets pass the CWST, but they had a great time doing so as well.
Go Fighting Eags!
Note:You can view more pictures from the CWST below:
