The 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division of the Philippine Army has kicked off a number of activities in this camp, leading up to the 116th Anniversary of the Philippine Army on March 22, a military general said yesterday.
Major General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr., commanding general of the 7ID, said part of the celebration was the conduct of a three-day Infantry Rifle Squad Challenge.
Catapang said the competition was participated in by different field units of the army, including the 3rd Infantry Battalion, the 24th Infantry Battalion, the 48th Infantry Battalion, the 56th Infantry Battalion, and the 81st Infantry Battalion.
The infantry rifle squad is the smallest unit of the army but they are called the “cutting edge” of the organization because they are the ones who are in the frontline and execute the plan in the accomplishment of a mission.
The Infantry Rifle Squad Challenge was conducted to test individual readiness, execution of squad movement techniques, determine technical proficiency of the squad leaders in the performance of his duties as well as the individual members as part of the team and to assess their collective competency and cohesiveness as a unit in any situation that arises.
The challenge also tested capability readiness, esprit de corps (common belief in attaining a goal), teamwork, physical stamina and mental capabilities to test the best infantry rifle squad of the Division.
“This was also a chance for our non-commissioned officers (NCOs) to improve their leadership skills in leading the squad. It is a way to empower our NCOs and give them the responsibility in leading their squad during combat and non-combat operations. Our NCOs comprises the most number in the organization and they are called the ‘backbone’ of the army,” said Catapang.
The Army general said the challenge was divided into three independent phases.
The first phase of the competition focuses on the required individual readiness skills of the squad members. This phase includes the following; Physical Fitness Test (PFT), General Knowledge / Information, Communications (Harris Portable Radio, Manpack and Handheld) and Weapons (Semi Automatic Weapon (SAW) M249, SAW K3, M4, M16, M14 & M203).
http://www.mb.com.ph/article.php?aid=3066&sid=1&subid=5
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