Kalinaw News: 120 Army Reservists undergo military training

Posted to the Kalinaw News Website (Aug 3, 2021): 120 Army Reservists undergo military training



Camp Aquino, Tarlac City— For the love of country and willingness to serve, there is no stopping for the 120 Army Reservists from Central Luzon in undergoing rigid training inside a military camp in Tarlac on Tuesday.

The 120 Army Reservists who heed the patriotic call to become part of the AFP’s ready reserve unit will undergo Basic Military Citizen Training (BMCT), a 45-day entry-level program facilitated by the 3rd Regional Community Defense Group for Filipino Citizens who intend to enlist in the AFP’s Reserve Force and serve in the name of protecting the sovereignty and integrity of the country.

All BCMT trainees will undergo a series of small group of classroom instructions and practical exercises in open fields to develop their understanding and skills on the subjects discussed to them. They will be trained in-house practicing health and safety protocols throughout the course.

“I appreciate your dedication, commitment, and patriotism to leave behind your work, your families, your civilian life for a noble cause. It is especially difficult to do that during this time of pandemic, and the Philippine Army and Armed Forces recognize your sacrifice and determination,” said Lieutenant General Arnulfo Marcelo B Burgos Jr, the Commander of Northern Luzon Command.

He described the reservists as ‘a critical component of the Armed Forces’ in which he emphasized that “a dynamic Reserved Force will make the Armed Forces stronger and able to respond to a wider variety of challenges, particularly on Disaster Response and Territorial Defense.”

The Reserve Force plays an integral role, especially during the conduct of AFP’s Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response Operations. It can be recalled that military reservists provided significant contributions to the AFP’s regular force during the major flooding in Cagayan, rescuing trapped civilians and delivering relief goods. Even with the current COVID-19 pandemic, the military reservists were tapped to man numerous Quarantine Control Points on our borders to mitigate the spread of the virus.

Lieutenant General Burgos affirmed that the learning they will gain during the 45-day training would contribute to their “growing dynamism as a reliable partner of the AFP’s regular force.”

Military Reservists do not receive salary or pay from the government. However, they are given the unique opportunity to serve the country while still being able to hold full-time civilian jobs.

“Our countrymen will count on you. You have my respect and admiration for offering yourselves to be of service. You belong to the ranks of the willing and the brave,” Lieutenant General Burgos said as he congratulated the reservist-aspirants in advance.

The military reservists are comprised of individuals from different sectors of society, such as government officials, entrepreneurs, doctors, lawyers, and many others. They have voluntarily pledged their service to help the country in times of imminent threat such as; armed conflict and natural disasters as stipulated by the Philippine Constitution.

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