EWU Fighting Eagles Battalion participates in rappelling exercise

Cadet Brandon Lukenbill stood on the top of Spokane County Fire District 3's tower, just after he took his oath of enlistment into the United States Army with three of his fellow cadets. Moments later he rappelled off the tower with many of the other cadets watching below.

For Lukenbill, while he had done some rappelling exercises during basic training, this was a different experience for him.

"It was a special moment, being sworn into the Army and then rappelling off the roof," Lukenbill said after he landed on the ground. "Everyone is watching you and it was different than any other ceremony."

Lukenbill was one of many cadets of Eastern Washington University's Fighting Eagles Battalion who participated in the university's ROTC program's rappelling lab, April 8.

According to cadet Amber Kennedy, this is the second year ROTC has conducted a rappelling lab at Fire District 3's headquarters. Kennedy said EWU approached the district to use their tower last year.

Deputy Chief Bill Dennstaedt explained Fire District 3's tower is mainly used by fire departments, law enforcement and military agencies for training purposes.

"It's not used for parties or haunted houses, but agencies can use it, if it's for some kind of training," Dennstaedt said. "There are not many facilities that have a tower like this."

Dennstaedt added that Fire District 3 charges a fee to groups to use the tower mainly to cover maintenance and operation costs.

Kennedy said Eastern didn't previously have a rappelling lab because the university did not have anyone certified to lead the exercises until last year when Capt. Wyatt C. Ottmar, a certified rappel master, was hired.

Before cadets rappelled off the tower, non-commissioned officers inspected them to make sure their seat harness and equipment was secure. Ottmar inspected the cadets one more time before they went up the tower.

Kennedy explained the ROTC holds a rappelling lab every spring in order to help cadets prepare for the exercise they'll do at the camp Cadet Leader Course (CLC), held annually at Fort Knox, Ky. The CLC is a 28-day training event that incorporates a wide range of subjects and exercises designed to develop and assess leadership ability

"There is also a swimming lab in the fall, as well as classes to help cadets develop their leadership and tactics skills," Kennedy said. "It's to help them get used to the Army environment."

Kennedy said the lab also helps cadets get out of their comfort zone.

"A lot of people who are rappelling for the first time are really uneasy," Kennedy said. "It's one of those things that when you do it for the first time, it's kind of fun."

Al Stover can be reached at al@cheneyfreepress.com.