100 sergeant majors attend AFP Council of Sergeant Major Consultative Meeting

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 19): 100 sergeant majors attend AFP Council of Sergeant Major Consultative Meeting

Around 100 sergeant major from the various military commands nationwide attended the AFP Council of Sergeant Major Consultative Meeting Tuesday.

This took place at the AFP celebrated the 47th anniversary of the Office of the AFP Sergeant Major (OAFPSM).

A week-long celebration, starting from Oct. 17 to 21, highlights this occasion, AFP public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo said.

“The meeting was aimed at discussing issues and concerns regarding the morale, welfare and discipline among non-commissioned officers (NCOs), and the latest policy updates within the organization," he added.

AFP vice chief-of-staff Lt. Gen. Glorioso V. Miranda, in his speech, encouraged the senior enlisted leaders to work as a team in order to achieve the overall mission of the organization.

“I have high confidence in our sergeants major and senior NCOs. Without them, none can be accomplished by this organization. I hope that this consultative meeting will be helpful in our policy-making to further develop the AFP,” he added.

This year’s celebration takes off with the inclusion of Senior and Junior NCOs on a selected activity as they are also celebrating the 20th NCO Anniversary.

Arevalo said the celebration focuses mainly in the conduct of consultative meetings with sergeants major from the Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force and Philippine Navy, including those from the General Headquarters, Unified Commands and AFP Wide Service Support and Separate Units.

With the theme “Propelling Excellence of Jointness in the NCO Corps”, the OAFPSM aims to promote oneness and camaraderie among the Senior Enlisted Leaders of the AFP.

The Sergeant Major System in the AFP started in 1967 when the Philippine Government sent a civic action unit known as the First Philippine Civic Action Group (1PHILCAG) to Vietnam.

The unit then had no sergeant major. However, the commanding general of 1PHILCAG, then Brig. Gen. Gaudencio V. Tobias recommended for the designation of a senior NCO to become the unit’s sergeant major in the person of Master/Sgt. Evodio A Toledo from the Philippine Army.

The OAFPSM was activated on Oct. 16, 1969 as a Personal Staff at General Headquarters AFP. Currently at the helm of the office is First Command Master Sgt. Romeo H. Jandugan, the AFP Sergeant Major.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=932494