New military graduates coming at right time in line with AFP modernization -- Lorenzana

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 13): New military graduates coming at right time in line with AFP modernization -- Lorenzana

As 194 members of the Major Service Officer Candidate Course formally graduated Tuesday, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said these young men and women are coming at a very opportune time as the Armed Forces Philippines (AFP) is now modernizing in all aspects.

"Our graduates today are fortunate to be able to gain entry into the noble profession of arms. they come at an opportune time as our Armed Forces is currently in the midst of upgrading and modernizing its assets, and professionalizing its human resource," he added.

As of this posting, various modernization projects are on the way for the AFP with several items now undergoing delivery.

The delivered equipment consists of four brand-new FA-50PH jet fighters, three Hamilton-class cutters, assorted armored personnel carriers and rifles, among others.

Graduation rites for the 194 members of the Major Service Officer Candidate Course took place at the AFP Theater, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Graduates numbered 68 for the Army; 63 for the Navy and another 63 for the Air Force, the DND chief stressed.

"Thus, we have now a new human resource acquisition of 194 strong, young and healthy prospective second lieutenants and ensigns. they are well-trained, idealistic and dynamic, and will join the Officers Corps of the AFP under its three Major Service Commands," he added.

"I commend and congratulate the leaderships of the Training Commands of our Major Services for maintaining the lofty education and training standards of the prime learning institutions of the our Armed Forces," Lorenzana emphasized.

The DND chief also said it is significant to note that the Officer Candidate Course (OCS) traces its humble beginnings from the school for reserve commission in 1937.

"And for six decades of temporary unit assignments and activations, OCS was decentralized to the educational institutions of the three Major Services of the AFP in 1997. therein, OCS has continuously developed into a prime educational course peculiar to the educational needs of the respective major services, that prepare the officer candidates as future officers of the AFP," he added.

Likewise, Lorenzana urged the new graduates, like the rest of the AFP, to be always committed in their performance their constitutional duty as protector of the people and the state.

"It subscribes to the primacy of transparency and public accountability to bring positive reforms, in making our public offices as public trusts, and in cleansing the same from malpractices of any form," he added.

Lorenzana added the DND wants these new officers to be faithful in your obedience to the Constitution, and to remain subordinate to and respectful to all civilian authority.

"We expect you to assist in the modernization and professionalization of our Armed Forces, and for you to be properly trained and adequately equipped, and in a high state of morale and well-being. most of all, we want you to always live by the highest standards of service professionalism," the DND concluded.

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