ROTC: Empowering the youth for peace and progress

This is my piece of speech, at the speech contest held by the Army Reserve Command, NCRRCDG at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, Philippines.

ROTC: Empowering the youth for peace and progress

“Why take the hard way, if there’s an easy way,”this is the common belief that will come out from the mouth of an average and malingering human being, but taking the Reserved Officer Training Corps (ROTC) as their National Service Training Program (NSTP) will make them no average human being. Cadets like me stepped out from the rest, to be above all the rest. Taking up the Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS) will not be extraordinary unlike a militiaman experiences.

Not all students in the tertiary level have the guts and courage to take ROTC as their NSTP or to enter a Military Service, but why do these students outside the military profession did not take this path of being a future reservist, a defender of the republic and a keeper of harmony among the Filipinos? First, they say that in ROTC, they will stand up under the heat of the sun for a long time. Yes, they will, because that is a part of their training; however, they will not stand up that long that is to be too hazardous for them. Second, they say that hazing is rampant and is being conducted to cadets in ROTC. Hazing is clearly not tolerable in the organization. How will a cadet empower peace and progress if he will be exposed to unlawful violence such as it? Third, ROTC is full of burdens and hardships. These people consider physical trainings as burdens and hardships, but truthfully, these are only parts and parcels of their training as future defenders of the state. Physical training is for the betterment of their lives.These are the three common reasons why some students resisted to be a part of the corps: the fear for the sunrays, the hazing gossip and the inevitable complaint that ROTC will give them heavy burdens.

They or even the civilian world perceive only the one side of the coin, the negative side of Military Service and keep on believing the ROTC fallacies without investigative verification.

ROTC promotes patriotism, moral values, virtues, respect for rights of the civilian and adherence to the constitution—these are the core values on empowering peace and progress. The cadets are casted and honed to be future leaders of our country and to be the hope of our nation, here where some of our finest warriors are products of the ROTC. They are equipped mentally, physically, socially and emotionally. They are trained to be disciplined, to build a better personality, and to overcome weaknesses. Military Professionalism is not the only lesson taught here but also the Conduct of a good Civilian. ROTC is a good way of keeping the youth away from harmful vices. 

As Rizal quoted, “The youth are the hope of the nation,” ROTC Cadets, as part of the youth sector, are the hope of the nation and one of the primary movers on empowering peace and progress.

As they come back to civilian life, they are prepared to be a soldier, a leader, and a better member of the society.They are deployed as civilians to contribute in the development and progress of the society. What parents had not taught to their children for years, can be acquired in several Sunday trainings in ROTC.

The reservists,including the ROTC Cadets are the backbone of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as well as the society. The ROTC Cadets, Reservists and the Regular Force, together with their Civilian Counterparts are having a joined force for the betterment and the advancement of the Philippines. The Military especially the reserve force supports all civic welfare activities done by the government and some non-government organizations (NGOs). In regard with this, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) launched the OPLAN Bayanihan that was criticized by numerous activists, leftists and detractors.  Despite of the criticisms, the operation was pursued and is successfully continued to help the civilians. Such activities that truly help are food programs, medical missions, cleanup drives and other civic and humanitarian efforts.This aims to promote peace and to prevent armed struggle among the Filipinos. In times of catastrophe and calamity, the ready reserve force, civilian rescue teams and a number of ROTC cadets are called to respond, help and rescue the people in need. These soldiers remained in active duty to conduct relief operations. These duties and service to the nation may be done not only by the Cadets or men in military service, but also by people in the civilian community or any ordinary citizen in the society. Small actions can make a big difference. Men in uniform cannot do these things all by themselves effectively, if the civilians will not come in aid to them or cooperate with them to make a big difference.In this we can say that military is no powerful or more useful than the civilians. Men in uniform have been trained to gain more abilities,and to uphold the civilian supremacy at all times.

The ROTC Cadets magnifies the epitomical image of an ideal Filipino who contributes to the progress and keeping the harmony among the Filipinos in the Philippines.

This shows that the ROTC Cadets as a future reservist are the epitome of ideal citizens who have a heart to sympathize with his fellow Filipinos. We are young soldiers who have patriotic willingness to preserve the peace and order in the country. Be a young hero, join the unit, be an ROTC Cadet!