245 PMA new cadets start 2-month 'shredding off' training

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 4): 245 PMA new cadets start 2-month 'shredding off' training

The 245 new cadets of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), including 82 female cadets, started their rigid two-month basic military training days after taking their oaths as cadets of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Army Captain Lynette Flores, PMA public information officer, said that so far no one among this batch (PMA Class 2017) has given up and their determination "remain impressive".

She disclosed that 276 among the thousands of applicants passed the rigid mental, medical and physical tests but "only 245 reported to the academy."

The PMA, a military institution established in 1937, is the premier military school in Asia which graduates yearly first class cadets who are directly commissioned as officers of the AFP with second lieutenants and ensigns ranks.

Flores said the new cadets must pass the two-month military training described as "shedding off the civilian life into military career officials before they can formally admitted as members of the PMA cadet corps."

"This batch has the most number of women. But we assure their parents and relatives that there are enough capable women officers in the academy who would look after their needs and welfare as cadets of the AFP," she assured.

Female cadets were allowed to enter the male-dominated military school since 1987 and proved to be as capable as their male counterparts, topping even their respective classes or romping off with various awards during their graduation.

"Let us all pray for their success. We the people must bear in mind that our cadets are our future military officers who will serve our country as defenders of freedom and peace," she said.

She added that as tentatively scheduled, the PMA Class 2017's formal incorporation to the cadet corps will take place sometime in May this year.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=513016