• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
A total of 191 candidate soldiers have started their 16 weeks of rigorous military training on Wednesday at Camp Macario Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz.
Of candidate soldiers, 14 are female while 177 are male, which reflects the growing interest of women in pursuing military careers, according to a statement issued by the 3ID Public Affairs Office.
Their training officially started following the oath-taking ceremony held on May 24, where candidate soldiers pledged their commitment to serve the Armed Forces of the Philippines with honor and integrity.
Assistant Division Commander, Brig. Gen Leonardo Pena, in his speech emphasized the challenges faced by the candidates throughout the rigorous selection process.
“Remember the time when you eagerly waited to fulfill your heart’s desires, sacrificing your time and effort to pursue your dreams of becoming one of us. You have come from diverse backgrounds and various regions, and now it is imperative that you prove your worthiness and dedication to the positive values instilled by the Army,” Peña told candidates.
The 191 recruits were carefully chosen from a pool of thousands of aspirants who sought to fulfill their dreams of serving the Filipino people, he added.
Over the course of the 16-week training program, the candidate soldiers are expected to receive comprehensive instruction on the fundamental principles of soldiery, including physical conditioning, tactical skills, and the Army’s core values.
This rigorous training aims to mold them into resilient and highly disciplined soldiers, ready to face the challenges that lie ahead, Peña said.
After their training, they are expected to be distributed to Army infantry units in Negros and Panay.*
