ARMY ROTC:
Eastern Washington University

FIGHTING EAGLE BATTALION



	Fighting Eagle Battalion Cadre at the Annual Military Ball
	Experienced and dedicated military cadre provide years of experience and training to help coach, teach and mentor student/cadets along their path toward a college degree and life as a Commissioned Officer.

Learn Leadership from the Best Leaders

The Army ROTC program is only as strong as its instructors. That's why we provide such highly qualified faculty and staff for Cadets. See the kind of varied and interesting experiences instructors have had that make them the best ROTC faculty and staff.

		Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Michael G. Kirkland Professor of Military Science, MS IV (Senior) Instructor and Advisor 202 Cadet Hall, Cheney, WA 99004 Phone: 509-359-6109 Fax: 509-359-6108 Email: mgkirkland@ewu.edu Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Michael G. Kirkland was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Armor in 1988 from the University of Southern Mississippi (USM). He began his military service by enlisting in the Mississippi Army National Guard (MSARNG) in 1983 and attended basic training at Fort Knox, Ky. and was the distinguished graduate of his Advanced Individual Training Course at Fort Belvoir, Va. He accepted a ROTC scholarship after one year at East Central Community College in Decatur, Miss., and subsequently continued his education at the University of Southern Mississippi, graduating in 1989. Until graduation from USM, LTC Kirkland continued to serve in the MSARNG as a platoon leader and staff officer. After entering active service and attending the Armor Officer Basic Course in 1990, he deployed and served in Operations Desert Shield/Storm with the Second Armored Cavalry Regiment as a tank platoon leader. After returning stateside, LTC Kirkland served with the 1st Cavalry Division as a platoon leader, assistant S3, and as a staff officer in the Division G3. He then attended the Quartermaster Officer advanced course at Fort Lee, Va. and served as the installation supply officer for the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, La. He commanded the Army Recruiting Company in Memphis, Tenn., and was selected for Advanced Civilian Schooling as an Operations Research/Systems Analysis Officer at the Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colo. After receiving his master’s degree, he served at the TRADOC Analysis Center, White Sands Missile Range, N.M. and at the Unit of Action Maneuver Battle Lab at Fort Knox, Ky. He was assigned to the Joint IED Defeat Organization and deployed to Afghanistan in August 2006, and served as the Operations Research Analyst for Joint Task Force Paladin, the Afghanistan Counter-IED Task Force. Upon redeployment in August 2007, he served as the S2 Operations Division Chief with the Eastern Region Cadet Command and as XO of the Military College Brigade, Fort Knox, Ky.
		Captain (CPT) Von Astudillo Battalion Recruiting Operations Officer (ROO) 202 Cadet Hall, Cheney, WA 99004 Phone: 509.359.6110 Fax: 509.359.6108 Email: vastudillo@ewu.edu Captain (CPT) Von P. Astudillo is originally from the Philippines, but grew up in Seattle, Wash. He joined the military, enlisting on Sept. 11, 1990, as a 13B-Cannon crewmember. He attended Basic Training at Fort Sill, Okla., and was assigned with 4-29th FA in Baumholder, Germany, and 2-8th FA at Fort Lewis, Wash. In 1994, he reclassified as a 75H-Personnel Record Specialist and attended AIT at Fort Jackson, S.C. He was then stationed at Fort Polk, La., and at Okinawa, Japan. He attained the rank of Sergeant First Class (SFC) and his enlisted career culminated as the Chief of Military Personnel in Okinawa. CPT Astudillo received his commission as an armor officer through Officer Candidate School (OCS) at Fort Benning, Ga., in September 2002. He then attended Armor Officer Basic Course and Scout Platoon Leaders Course at Fort Knox, Ky. His first assignment as an officer was at Fort Lewis, Wash. as a Scout Platoon Leader with 2-14th Cavalry Squadron and Anti-Tank Platoon Leader with 1-24 Infantry. CPT Astudillo deployed with 2-14 CAV to Iraq in October 2004, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2006, he transferred to the Adjutant General Corps and attended the AG Captain Career Course at Fort Jackson, SC. He then served as the Operations Officer for the Spokane Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) in Spokane, Wash. In 2008, CPT Astudillo volunteered to be part of a Military Transition Team and trained at Fort Riley, Kan. He then deployed to Afghanistan as part of an Afghan Police Mentor Team in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. CPT Astudillo is currently serving as an Assistant Professor of Military Science teaching Military Science (MLSC) I courses both at Eastern Washington University and Spokane Falls Community College. CPT Astudillo has a Master of Arts Degree in Human Resource Management from Webster University, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management from the University of Maryland, College Park. His awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (3OLC), Army Achievement Medal (4OLC), the Iraqi and Afghanistan Campaign Medals, Overseas Service Ribbon (5), the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Medal and the Combat Action Badge.
		MSG Joseph C. Martinez Training NCO/MS II (Sophomore) Instructor & Advisor 202 Cadet Hall, Cheney, WA 99208 Phone: 509-359-6117 Fax: 509-359-6108 Email: jcmartinez@ewu.edu Master Sergeant (MSG) Joseph Martinez was born in Honolulu, Hawaii graduating from Kaimuki High School in June of 1986. MSG Martinez entered the Hawaii Army National Guard under the delayed entry program and completed OSUT training at Fort Benning Georgia on 28 October 1988 and was awarded the MOS of 11B1O, Infantry. In 1989 he entered into the United States active Army. MSG Martinez's previous assignments were Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th ID (Mech) Fort Carson, Colorado Springs Colorado; Bravo Company, 6th Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment Berlin Brigade; Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment 2nd ID (Mech.) Fort Lewis Washington; 2nd Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment (Mech.) Camp Casey Korea; 2nd Battalion, 58th Infantry Training Brigade Fort Benning, Georgia; the Henry Caro NCO Academy Drill Sergeant School; Alpha Company and Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1- 25 Stryker Brigade Combat Team; 1st Battalion, 357th Infantry Regiment, 91st Infantry Brigade; Bravo Company, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team, and Charlie Company, 52D Infantry Regiment Anti-Tank Company, 3-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team. While assigned to the Berlin Brigade, MSG Martinez deployed in July of 1991, being the units' first out-of -theater operations in support of Operation Provide Comfort in order to protect the Iraqi Kurds based out of Silopy, Turkey. Then in 2004 as a Recon Platoon Sergeant for HHC 1-5 IN Regt, 3-2 SBCT deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 04-05. In November 2004, his battalion was ordered to support the 1st Marine division during the second battle of Fallujah. After the Battle, his unit was ordered to link up with the rest of the Brigade in Mosul where they remained in Mosul throughout the deployment. On 6 August 2008, MSG Martinez deployed for a second time in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 09-10 as a Company First Sergeant for B Company, 5th BN 20th IN Regt than later took charge of C-52d IN Regt Anti-Tank Company as First Sergeant for the remainder of the tour. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal (2 oak leaf clusters), the Army Commendation Award (4 oak leaf clusters), the Army Achievement Medal (5 oak leaf clusters), the Army Good Conduct Medal (6 knots), the National Defense Service Medal (2 oak leaf clusters), the Korean Defense Service Medal, the South West Asia Medal (1 bronze star), the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal (3 oak leaf clusters), the Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon (numeral 3), the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon( numeral 4), the Kuwait-Kuwaiti Liberation Medal, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, the Army Service unit Award, the Drill Sergeant Badge, the Ranger Tab, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge, and the Parachutist Badge. During his career, MSG Martinez attended several military schools such has First Sergeants Course, Senior Leadership course, Combative Levels 1 and 2, Javelin Training, Airborne School, Drill Sergeant School, Equal Opportunity Leaders Course, Advance Leadership Course, Ranger Course, Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle Training, Warrior Leaders Course, and Combat Life Saver Course.
		Sergeant First Class (SFC) Donny Thornton Training NCO and MS I (Freshman) Instructor and Advisor 202 Cadet Hall, Cheney, WA 99004 Phone: 509.359.6112 Fax: 509.359.6108 Email: donnyt@ewu.edu Sergeant First Class (SFC) Donny Thornton entered the Army in October of 1999, from Klamath Falls, OR. He attended Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. Upon completion of training he was assigned to his first duty station, A Co, 168th Engineer Battalion, at Fort Lewis, Washington from February 2000 to September 2000. SFC Thornton was then reassigned to 18th Engineer Company, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Stryker Brigade Combat Team, from October 2000 to May 2008. While serving in the 18th EN Co, SFC Thornton deployed to Iraq from November 2004 until October 2005 serving as a Combat Engineer Team leader. He was deployed a second time from June 2006 to February 2007 serving as a Combat Engineer Squad leader. In May of 2008, he was reassigned to the 37th Engineer Battalion, 20th Engineer Brigade at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. During service with the 37th ENG BN, SFC Thornton deployed for a third time to Iraq from July 2009 to June 2010, serving as a Combat Engineer Platoon Sergeant. He is currently serving as a military science instructor at Eastern Washington University. SFC Thornton's awards and decorations are as follows: Bronze Star Medal(2), Army Commendation Medal(3), Army Achievement Medal(3), Meritorious Unit Citation, Army Superior Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal(3), National Defense Service Medal(2), Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon(3), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon(3), Military Outstanding Voluntary Service Ribbon, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge. During his career, SFC Thornton attended several military schools such as Senior Leadership Course, Airborne School, Air Assault School, Advance Leadership Course, Route Recon Leaders Course, Unit Prevention Leader Course, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Course (Raven), Warrior Leaders Course, and Combat Life Saver Course.
		Mr. Robert Riedel Assistant Professor of Military Science, MS III (Junior) Instructor and Advisor 202 Cadet Hall, Cheney, WA 99004 Phone: 509-359-2084 Fax: 509-359-6108 Email: rriedel@ewu.edu Mr. Robert Riedel is a native of Virginia and is a retired United States Army Major. He received his commission as an Infantry Second Lieutenant on May 7, 1990. Mr. Riedel earned a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va. Enroute to his first assignment; he completed the Infantry Officer Basic Course, Ranger School and the Bradley Leader's Course at Fort Benning, Ga. His first assignment was in Korea with the 2nd Infantry Division where he served as both a Bradley Rifle Platoon Leader and Executive Officer in 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Battalion (Mechanized). Mr. Riedel then served two years in the 3rd United States Infantry (The Old Guard) as a Rifle Platoon Leader and Support Platoon Leader. After graduation from the Infantry Officer Advance Course and Light Leader's Course in March 1995, Mr. Riedel returned to the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea where he served as an S3 Air and Company Commander in the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Battalion (Air Assault). In the summer of 1998, Mr. Riedel was assigned to Middle Tennessee State University ROTC where he served as Operations and Training Officer and the MS III instructor. He separated from active duty in 2000, and joined the Tennessee Army National Guard where he served for five years as a TAC Officer and Company Commander. He then moved to Washington State where he joined the 205th Leadership Regiment, Camp Murray, within the Washington Army National Guard and held a temporary position at the University of Washington ROTC. Mr. Riedel deployed to Afghanistan in 2006, as a member of the OEF Embedded Team Trainers to the Afghanistan National Army. He then served on active duty with 2nd Battalion, 357 Infantry Regiment at Fort Lewis, Wash., as part of the Operation Warrior Trainer Program where he was the Operations Officer for convoy post-mobilization training. Mr. Riedel most recently served with Pacific Lutheran University's ROTC program, and served as an assistant operations officer within the 205th Leadership Regiment until his retirement in 2011.