PAF recruits engineers, nurses, to augment ranks

From the Philippine Information Agency (Apr 5): PAF recruits engineers, nurses, to augment ranks

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has encouraged engineers, nurses and other professionals in Bicol region to join its ranks in its efforts powering up the military force.

“Officer candidates may come from the ranks of college graduates such as engineering majors or nurses,” Colonel Pedro Francisco III, PAF Group Commander of Tactical Operations Group (TOG) 5 based in Albay said in an interview during the “Aramon Ta Daw” radio program of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA).

“PAF is not only composed of pilots but more of maintenance officers, security officers, supply officers, ground officers and emergency medical teams or paramedics,” Francisco said.

PAF has announced examination for officer candidates set on April 2, 6, 10 and 13 on 15 different locations in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

“For Bicol-based applicants, the examinations will be on April 10 at Bicol University College of Science Hall in Legaspi City,” Francisco said.

Engineering graduates in the fields of mechanical, civil, electrical and geodetic studies as well as nurses are among the target entrants to augment the manpower of the PAF with an average strength of 15,000 personnel of which 2,000 are officers. “Only 25 percent of these 2,000 officers are pilots,” Francisco said.

An interested applicant must be male or female and naturally born citizen of the Philippines, a college graduate, at least 5 feet in height, at least 20 years old and not more than 24 years old on the start of the training, single and with no legal obligation to support a child, physically and mentally fit for military training and with good moral character, Francisco said.

Applicants must submit the application form, authenticated photocopy of NSO birth certificate and transcript of records, and two pieces 2x2 pictures with white background.

“Applicants must wear white t-shirts, blue jeans and rubber shoes during the application and examination,” Francisco said.

“We observed that less than 5 percent of the examinees and officers are from the Bicol Region who mostly came from the Camarines provinces,” Francisco said. The PAF Technical Operations Group in Bicol hopes to improve these numbers by targeting applicants from Albay, Sorsogon, and other Bicol provinces, Francisco said.

Officer candidates while on training receive their salaries with clothing allowances and free board and lodging. After passing the rudiments of one-year training, they are immediately commissioned as second lieutenants in the force. “PAF provides job security all throughout our career as officers,” Francisco said.

Interested individuals may download the official application form at PAF website at www.paf.mil.ph or call through telefax number (02)853-5021. For Bicol-based applicants, they may text or call these following numbers : 0918-963-0643 (Smart), 0917-516-8504 (Globe), 0932-874-1023 (Sun).

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=771365141079