Army creates new engineer brigade

From the Daily Tribune (Mar 6): Army creates new engineer brigade

To complement military combat operations and support government development projects in the countryside, the Army will be activating a new engineer brigade composed of more than a thousand troops.

Army chief Lt. Gen. Glorioso Miranda said that the newly organized 54th Engineer Brigade (EB) will be composed of 1,069 soldiers who will be among the almost 14,000 troops programmed to be recruited by the 85,000-strong command this year.

Miranda said that the Army will recruit a total of 13,910 new troops for 2017 to fill-up various Army units throughout the country, including 349 officers.

“This (activation of 54th EB) will further improve our capability in implementing government development projects in far-flung areas – like construction of road network, bridges and school buildings,” Miranda said.

Army spokesman Col. Benjamin Hao explained that 8,892 of those to be recruited are part of the 10,000 additional troops approved by President Duterte for the Armed Forces of the Philippines — the remaining will be allotted for the Navy and Air Force.

On the other hand, the 3,600 is the annual quota replacement in the Army while the 1,069 troops for the 54th EB has the go signal of the Congress.

“Most number of new recruits will fill-up the Army infantry, cavalry and artillery units. There are also recruits who will fill-up the engineer, communication, logistics, and other administrative functions of the Army,” Hao said.

Out of the total number of recruits, 10 percent is allocated for female recruits while five percent from the indigenous peoples.

Once recruited and becomes a trainee, the candidate soldier will receive a gross income of P16,852.00. If enlisted, the new Private will receive a starting gross income of P23,204.00 plus a number of allowances and benefits.

The Philippine Army will prioritize its recruitment in the following order:

· graduates of Military Science 43 and Advance ROTC,
· college graduates;
· those with 72 units and up in college;
· or high school graduates but possess technical and vocational skills needed by the Philippine Army.
An applicant must be a
· natural born Filipino citizen;
· at least 18 to 23 years old on the date of appointment as candidate soldier;
· at least 5’0" or 60 inches in height;
· single and without child;
· of good moral character;
· passed the Philippine Army Aptitude Test Battery / Armed Forces of the Philippines Service Aptitude Test;
· passed the pre-qualifying physical fitness test and physical medical exam;
· and must be physically and mentally fit for military training.

All interested applicants are advised to visit any Army Recuitment Centers located nationwide —Fort Bonifacio, Metro Manila; Camp Lapu-Lapu, Cebu City; and Camp Evangelista in Cagayan de Oro City.

Applicants are also advised to bring with them identification cards, NBI clearance, and other pertinent documents.

They may also visit the Philippine Army Web site at www.army.mil.ph for further details.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/army-creates-new-engineer-brigade