Military Personnel or MPs are seen in file photo in a parade rehearsal at Camp Aguinaldo, ahead of the Dec. 21 AFP anniversary, which this year is being marked on Dec. 18. INTERAKSYON.COM FILE
At least 146 new young officers who finished 1-2 years of military schooling and training under the Officer Candidate Course (OCS) program will soon be deployed to the battlefronts after the military formally accepts them into its fold.
Their graduation precedes the 79th anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that will be observed on December 18 at Camp Aguinaldo, or three days ahead of the actual anniversary on Dec. 21, in order to give way to the schedule of the Commander-in-Chief, President Benigno Aquino III, who will be the main guest of honor.
Military spokesman Colonel Restituo Padilla said the new graduates of the OCS “are going to help a lot in increasing and strengthening our fight against lawless elements, especially knowing that they will mostly be deployed in areas where we are now conducting law enforcement operations.”
B
ut more than that, he added, "the infusion of fresh young blood into the organization is always part of the dynamics and growing process to strengthen the Armed Forces.”
The AFP OCS program in the major branches of service – Army, Air Force and Navy/Marines – is intended to fill up the shortage of officers. The AFP has recruited most of its officers from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).
“The OCS is among the sources for new officers in the rank, besides the PMA and Reserve Officer Training Course,” Padilla said.
The OCS can only accept young professionals or those who already hold college diplomas from a minimum of 4-year course or college degree. Certain candidates who likewise finished college and had completed the ROTC may also see their stint at the OCS shortened to one year.
Some former PMA cadets who were not able to graduate because they were kicked out or opted to get out from the corps, but really want to pursue their dream of becoming military officers, are allowed to enter the OCS.
The PAF-OCS was in the news recently when 21 men, including an officer from Batch 2014, were involved in hazing that sent two young members of the class to hospital. An investigating team recommended the dismissal of 9 of those involved; the officer from Batch 2014 and 12 others are still under investigation.
PAF spokesman Lt. Col. Enrico Canaya said the 12 OCS members will not graduate this year.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/101154/afp-deploying-146-newly-trained-young-officers-to-battlefronts
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