160 Army recruits embark on 1st Division training

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 20, 2021): 160 Army recruits embark on 1st Division training (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)

CANDIDATE SOLDIERS. Senior Master Sergeant Melchor Bitara, 1st Infantry sergeant major (left), administers Monday (Dec. 20, 2021) the oath of the 160 candidate soldiers at the 1st Division Training School in Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur. The new recruits will undergo a 16-week basic military training to mold and transform them into confident and competent soldiers. (Photo courtesy of the 1st Infantry Division Public Affairs Office)

A total of 160 recruits on Monday started their 16-week basic military training at the 1st Division Training School (1DTS) at Camp Sang-an in Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur.

The trainees, who belong to the Candidate Soldier Course Class 703-2021, consisted of 22 females and 138 males.

Col. Rey Alemania, 2nd Mechanized Brigade commander, was the keynote speaker during the opening rites.

Alemania reminded the trainees that their entry to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) requires their willingness to transition to a regimented military life.

“You have surrendered your rights, you have given up your personal choices, and today also marks that you will be subjected to military rules, military law, military policies, and everything under the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” Alemania emphasized.

He added that for now, the trainees might have different reasons for joining the ranks. But after the indoctrination and completion of their training, everyone will have only one reason -- service.

The 16-week basic military training aims to transform the recruits into confident and competent soldiers who will preserve the Army's fundamental values, Alemania said.

Col. Norberto Agbay, officer-in-charge of the Office of the Chief of Staff, welcomed the new batch of trainees.

Agbay acknowledged the efforts of the officers and the 1DTS who were in charge of the application and selection process.

Agbay also encouraged the recruits to adapt to the changes they will experience in the coming weeks, living in a military environment.

“Today is the start of your journey as members of the AFP, and today marks the beginning of your military career,” Agbay said.

Senior Master Sergeant Melchor Bitara, the 1st Infantry Division Sergeant Major, led the oath-taking of the candidate soldiers.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1163286