PAF holds graduation ceremony Basic Citizen Military Training (BCMT) class 2020 in Aurora

Posted to Kalinaw News (Sep 29, 2020): PAF holds graduation ceremony Basic Citizen Military Training (BCMT) class 2020 in Aurora

BALER, Aurora-The 1st graduation ceremony of Philippine Air Force (PAF) Basic Citizen Military Training (BCMT) class 2020 composed of 57 reservists from the towns of Baler and San Luis in Aurora was successfully conducted on Sunday (September 27, 2020) at Baler Sports Complex, Barangay Suklayin, here with COLONEL JESSIE A BANASTAO PAF (GSC), chief of command staff, Air Force Reserve Command as guest of honor and speaker.

He said that the reservist undergone training with commitment, dedication and devotion to serve the country and to protect the people.

“Despite the challenge that we are facing brought about by Covid-19 as well as in adopting the new normal way of doing things, our reservists persevered and did not waver their desire to acquire knowledge and skills on basic soldiery,” COLONEL BANASTAO said.

He also congratulated the members of the BCMT class 2020 for successfully hurdling their pre-entry training.

“Today’s activity marks another milestone in the history of air force reserve command because today, we are welcoming the 57 strong newly graduates of BCMT 2020 Aurora, to the ranks of the reserve force of the PAF. All of you were already given your respective ranks and assigned to 2nd Air Force Wing Reserve with 2nd ARCEN as your mobilization Center, hence your journey as a reservist will starts today. With profound pleasure, I welcome you all to the PAF,” COLONEL BANASTAO said.

He urged the newly graduates to uphold and internalize the PAF core values of integrity, service above self, teamwork, excellence and professionalism, and coupled this with the virtue of “Diwa, Galing at Malasakit” as championed by their commanding General PAF, LTGEN ALLEN PAREDES, as this is the country and people expect from them.

“Let us all wear the military uniform proudly and carry ourselves with the highest standards of the men and women of the PAF and the Armed Forces of the Philippines in general. I am confident that all of you will add value to the PAF,” COLONEL BANASTAO said.

He also reminded the reservists in a way to serve and as a base for expansion in the event of war, invasion, rebellion, disasters or calamities; and to assist in socio-economic development efforts of the government.

“I enjoined everyone to remain steadfast in your commitment to serve our country ad people by actively participating in civil military operations, environmental protection, humanitarian assistance and disaster response and other activities that will help our country battle this Covid-19 pandemic. Let us bring support the unified commands objectives, being the force employer and us as force provider and multiplier in their efforts to end local communist armed conflict in order to build a culture of peace and ready for development localities,” he said, encouraging the newly reservists personnel to continue hone their knowledge and skills in active duty training (ADT) and unit active duty training (UADT) performing their duties and responsibilities by exerting more efforts as part of the reserve force.

PAF 1st Lieutenant Augustus Mexico O. Absin, Executive Officer of 2nd Air Reserve Center said that the objective of the 45-day training was attained.

“We provided them online education through google classroom in military customs and tradition, disaster and peacetime roles, reservist affairs administration, counter insurgency operation, major services indoctrination, some practical marksmanship firing, weapons training and combat tactics such as immediate action drills, field training exercise and obstacle course,” he said.

Meanwhile, the PAF reservists also conducted 3-day obstacle course, firing familiarization and field training exercises at 91st Infantry (Sinagtala) Battalion, Philippine Army at Barangay Calabuanan, Baler, Aurora.

LTC REANDREW P RUBIO, (GSC) PA, commanding officer of 91st IB welcomed said that those volunteers who were just graduated from Basic Citizen Military Training conducted by the 2nd Air Reserve Center, Air Reserve Command are considered as force multipliers in the Province of Aurora.

“They are ready to serve the country in support to socio-economic programs, humanitarian assistance and peace and development efforts to end local terrorist armed conflict,” LTC RUBIO said.

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