THE WILDCAT POST VOLUME 2 ISSUE 2

DECEMBER 2016

Content Pg. Senior Class 1

Branches

Ranger Challenge 2

Halloween Crossing 3

Guard, Fall CWST,

Cadet fundraising

WWII Guest Speaker 4

ROTC Christmas Party 5

FTX Stories

Justin Lester 6

Joshua Chinco 7

Luke Stone 8

Jessica Jamtaas 9

This year there are eleven cadets in the senior class that received

their branch and component. As a program we are very proud of their ac-

complishment. Each of these cadets were selected for a branch within the

top five preferred branch choices.

Shane Small—NG Armor

Kyle Kriegsman—NG Infantry

Matthew Yuste—NG Infantry

Zacheriah Schepp—NG Field Artillery

Jacob Maule—AD Military Police

Nicholas Maule—AD Military Police

Joshua Goodsell—AD Chemical Corp

Joseph Knight—AD Aviation

Nicholas Jacobus—AD Chemical Corp

Hunter Mata—AD Signal Corp

Tagan Rapp-Stieler—AD Corp of Engineers

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Ranger Challenge by Cadet Tagan Rapp-Stieler, MS IV

In November the Ranger Challenge team went to Camp Rilea, Oregon and competed against 11

teams from across Army ROTCs 8th Brigade. The team got 5th place this year but came back from

the competition with heads held high and excited to compete again next year. The team competed in a

variety of events including a 10K ruck race, one rope bridge, grenade toss, weapons disassembly, con-

trol bleeding event, knot relay race, range card assessment, enemy prisoner of war procedures, obsta-

cle course and claymore setup. The final event on a rain soaked Saturday morning on the Oregon

coast was an Army Physical Fitness Test on the beach.

This year also marked the first year CWUs Air Force ROTC put together a Ranger Challenge team to

train alongside the Army team. Though they were not allowed to compete at the Brigade competition

the Air Force cadets greatly enjoyed the challenge and the opportunity to learn a new set of skills.

The team took 1st place on the first and most physically demanding event, the 10K ruck race.

Though the Wildcat battalion team got 5th place overall, every cadet who took part was proud of the

teams effort. They’ve already began strategizing ways to improve for next year.

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Each year Army ROTC cadets support the Ellensburg community

by serving as crossing guards during the Ellensburg Downtown Trick

-or-Treat event. The cadets were happy to help make the children’s

evening safer and put parents at ease about their kids crossing the

busy Ellensburg streets.

Cadets gave smiles and greetings to all the little ghosts, ghouls,

princesses and superhero's that passed. They accepted the thanks of

many parent and participants that passed. The cadets are always hap-

py to give back to a community that is very supportive to them.

Halloween Crossing Guard by Cadet Tagan Rapp-Stieler, MS IV

CWST by Cadet Tagan Rapp-Stieler, MS IV

Each fall the cadets take part in Combat Water Survival Training.

The goal of this event is to make cadets more comfortable with swim-

ming and working around the water. The cadets did a number of

activities to include a 10 minute swim, a 5 minute tread water, and a

high dive confidence fall. After the required events were complete,

Cadets Ferris and a group of other MSIVs gave a instructional class

on the proper way to flip a raft while all the occupants are in the wa-

ter. Soon after teams of cadets were cycled through the raft flip to

gain familiarity with the process.

When everyone had gone through the events the cadets then con-

ducted a class competition as they raced in groups to flip and then

right one of the inflatable rafts. A great video of this can be found on

the Wildcat Battalion Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/

cwu.w.bn

Cadet Fundraising by Cadet Tagan Rapp-Stieler, MS IV

This year the Wildcat Battalion Cadet Fund received a big

boost from two fundraising events.

Tacoma Screw Products was opening a new store in Wenatchee

and asked a few cadets to come down to aid in a flag raising

event. Tacoma Screw donated $1,000 to the cadets as a thank

you for their efforts.

The cadets also took part in a “Takeover “at Cornerstone

Pie. The proceeds of that days sales were donated to the ROTC

Cadet Fund. For that event the cadets raised $445.00

The Cadet Fund is used to support a number of events through-

out the year including the Annual Military Ball.

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On the 30th of November we had the honor of having World War II veteran LTC (R) Francis E. Jef-

fery come down and speak to the cadets. LTC (R) Jeffery first served as an Infantryman in Patton’s

90th Infantry during World War II reaching the rank of Sergeant. He then moved on to receive a com-

mission in the United States Air Force as a Military Chaplain. His awards include the Combat Infantry-

man’s Badge, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and the French Legion of Honor.

All of the cadets who received the chance to listen to this humble and selfless veteran speak about

leadership and his experiences gained from the opportunity. LTC Jeffery was a true fountain of

knowledge and proved that no matter what time period someone serves or which conflict they fight in,

there are many universal truths that remain constant as they relate to leadership, problem solving and

service. The cadets discussed the challenges faced by World War II commanders and the qualities that

make great leaders.

Every year there are less and less World War II veterans still with us. The Department of Veterans

Affairs can account for over 16,100,000 men and women who served in the U.S. Armed Forces during

World War II. Today only a little over 600,000 or 3.72% still live.

WWII Guest Speaker by Cadet Tagan Rapp-Stieler, MS IV

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ROTC Christmas Party by Cadet Tagan Rapp-Stieler, MS IV

The yearly Army ROTC Christmas Party was held on the 2nd of December at the American Legion

post on the top of Craig’s Hill in Ellensburg. It was a great opportunity for the cadets to relax in a less

formal environment and joke about another Fall quarter of ROTC training past. With finals week right

around the corner the cadets felt it was important to relax, laugh and enjoy some comradery before the

end of the quarter.

Cadets shared food they made and brought from home. Cadet from each class did skits poking fun at

each other and some of the more comical moments from past few months. The senior cadets and upper

classman were also fair game for the skits and no punches were pulled. Some outstanding impressions

and of certain particular senior cadets and cadre were particularly well done.

For the first time in five years, the Freshman class was judged by all to have the best skit.

Following the food and skits cadets would typically then do a Secret Santa gag gift exchange. This

year the battalion wanted to do things a little different. Instead of wasting money on gag gifts. The ca-

dets adopted a needy family in the community the CWU Presidents Giving Tree to provide holiday

gifts to them.

With money donated from the cadets the family was able to buy much needed jackets, socks, and

some toys.

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After two days facing the rigors of FTX, I've rediscovered a profound respect for the men and women

in service who make the most of their days that way. I also never really appreciated the impact that

MRE Reese's Pieces can have after 19 hours on your feet.

For each MS1, FTX was the culmination of every minute of anticipation spent throughout the quarter.

You could imagine our excitement when we realized that we would be issued our very own M4 car-

bine. Almost a week later and I still know my rifle's serial number by heart: Y05500. After arriving

and getting settled in we were grouped into our squads. Throughout the training we MS1's were

"thrown into the thick of it" alongside older cadets. MS2's and eventually MS3's were thoughtful in

sharing their experiences with the rest of us. More often then naught I found myself relying on the ad-

vice that was more than generously given by the more senior cadets. Little things such as how to

properly secure my assault pack, or interpreting terrain features while performing land navigation. Both

of which saved time and made the FTX a much better experience.

I've relived the experience many times since; I haven't quite been able to phrase the experience proper-

ly. My second enjoyable and interesting experience was hot loading a MEDEVAC Black Hawk. After

two hours of cold loading I felt prepared, but hardly knew what to expect. While in line each of us we

stood with bated breath while the bird made its landing. Once it was close enough each of us were ra-

ther thankful for our eye and ear pro. Once my group was up for its turn I admit that I was nervous. The

bird was no different then it had been while we were gathered around it an hour ago; only in that it had

come alive with spinning top and tail rotors. Our hearing protection allowed hardly any sound to make

it through. The silent waves of pressure that rocked against us only made the spectacle more powerful

and impacting of an experience. After falling back in to our formation after doing to hot load training

the only way I can describe the feeling was something like the first time one of us had taken a girl to

prom; breathtaking, stressful, and, at least for the Army, it was probably pretty expensive.

Lastly, I believe there's something to be said about the intensity of an 18 hour tactical road march. Fol-

lowing the end of a rather rough round of land navigation in the dark, we started our road march.

Quick, quiet and knowing that at some point we would get ambushed ambush on the way; this was

hardly like anything we had done before. Most of us at that point were had aches and strains from the

day's previous activities; and yet we pressed on. Energy and motivation that I had yet to see in a num-

ber of my fellow cadets became apparent. “Don't fall out, don't fall behind!” These are the words that

echoed in everyone's minds as we marched along. Personally the prospect of being ambushed and hurl-

ing myself into the water-filled ditch alongside the road was more then enough to keep me going. By

the time we had reached the barracks a new feeling had broken through the exhaustion: accomplish-

ment.

By the time I had eaten almost half of my MRE candy I realized an even greater truth about my previ-

ous feeling of accomplishment. When we as MS1's had arrived at FTX we believed it to be the culmi-

nation of our efforts throughout the quarter. I can safely say that after all of that, we are only beginning

to realize where we are; and how much farther we really have to go to become Officers in the United

FTX Story by Cadet Justin Lester, MSI

FTX Story by Cadet Joshua Chinco, MSII

2016 Fall FTX was something to definitely be remembered as it was my first time experiencing an Ar-

my training exercise. Many memories were made, some of which I’m sure we will look back and laugh

at ourselves for. Over the course of the various training exercises over the weekend, I gained a small

insight as to what life in the Army is like. The experience gained is something that I will always keep

with me to utilize in the future.

One experience that stuck with me was conducting both day and night land navigation. Land naviga-

tion is one thing I enjoy very much. Whether it be plotting an azimuth or counting paces, it always

amazes me how one small point can be found from so far away. One specific challenge was learning

terrain association in the real world. Previously we always had campus buildings to associate with on

our map, if our plots were a little off. As it turns out, although possible to use as reference points, end-

less rolling hills are not the easiest thing to terrain associate from. Although many problems were

overcome, this taught me to always make sure my work is precise and accurate when plotting grid

points and determining azimuths. It was a notable experience and one that I definitely learned a lot

from.

The most thrilling experience of the weekend was definitely conducting hot loads into a National

Guard MEDEVAC Black Hawk helicopter. Blackhawks, as it turns out, are much larger than they ap-

pear to be in movies and on television. When one lands next to you and you feel the wind from the ro-

tors try to knock you over, the sheer power is unforgettable. Loading a patient into the helicopter is just

as unforgettable. In order to be successful, the litter team and the crewmen must work as one cohesive

team. It was amazing to get insight and learn how the crew communicates with hand signals and ges-

tures, because yelling next to those turbine engines is completely useless. This was most certainly the

highlight of my weekend.

Overall, my first FTX was definitely a learning experience, and a valuable one at that. I cannot wait for

more experiences like this one, and more memories to be made.

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Overall, fall FTX was an incredible learning experience. I was able to simulate

multiple situations which we, as army officers, may find ourselves in on the battle-

field. For example, much of our time was spent on land navigation, which will be

incredibly important. During Saturday afternoon, we ran through simulation lanes

where we ambushed an enemy, reacted to an ambush, and called a MEDEVAC

from a real helicopter.

The land navigation is an essential part of an officer’s skill set. We are going to be

in charge of getting our soldiers where they need to go, and in a certain amount of

time. The practical experience we got on Saturday was incredibly important.

Training in the Yakima sage brush is much different than training on the Central

Washington campus. Central is mostly flat, which makes it easy to see for far dis-

tances. The sagebrush in Yakima can, at times, be taller than a soldier. This situa-

tion shows the necessity for knowing all of the different aspects of land naviga-

tion.

My favorite part of the FTX weekend, however, were the simulation lanes. Our

first lane was an ambush, which went fairly well but was a great learning experi-

ence. After running the lane and conducting an AAR, each member of the squad

found different actions they could improve on. The second lane was supposed to

be a reconnaissance mission, and turned into a react to ambush mission when the

enemy found us first. In our final lane, one of the soldiers was “injured”, and we

had to set up a 360 degree perimeter of security, so that a helicopter could fly in

and evacuate the casualty. That was an awesome experience, watching a helicopter

fly in and loading a casualty onto the helicopter itself.

As a lateral transfer, I had no idea what to expect at this fall FTX. After going

through the FTX, I gained practical knowledge, as well as the knowledge that I

was capable of completing the mission. The whole time, I was cold, tired, and of-

ten hungry. Working with the soldiers and the cadre showed me that I can push

through the discomfort and complete the mission, and that may have been the

most important lesson of the FTX.

FTX Story by Cadet Jessica Jamtaas, MSIII

Address: Peterson Hall 400 E. University

Way Ellensburg, WA, 98926

Phone: (509) 963 – 3518

Email: armyrotc@cwu.edu Website: http://

www.cwu.edu/army

Like us on Facebook for more!

www.facebook.com/cwu.w.bn

(or search “CWU Wildcat BN”)

Wildcat Alumni are encouraged

to join the Central Washington

University Alumni Association

to be a part of the future.

Wildcats Lead The Way!

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