Reaction Paper

(ROTC Orientation, 10RCDG ROTC Advocacy, Landpower Maneuver Concept)

According to 2LT Lovely Mae Sacayle, CMO Officer of 10RCDG – ARESCOM, ROTC
(Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) is an elective curriculum that you take along with your
required college classes. It is a mechanism for bringing such a diverse group of citizens into the
military. Moreover, it provides an educational experience that is knowingly different from that of
the military academies. The contact with citizen capacity and classmates, the style and diversity
of the education, and the combination of the military discipline of ROTC and the intellectual
freedom of the university result in significant differences in the training and education of ROTC
officers. The students carry this diverse university experience into the military and, as a result,
they serve as a safeguard against isolation of the military from the rest of society. The ROTC
program is one of the nation’s top leadership programs. The program offer to high school that
teaches students character education, student achievement, wellness, leadership, and diversity.
And it also prepares all high school students with the tools, training, experiences, and convenient
skills that will help the youth succeed in any competitive environment. They grouped with other
people in a program that is designed to build and strengthen the principles of teamwork and
brotherhood among soldiers.

According to the 10th Regional Community Defense Group – Army Reserve Command
(10RCDG – ARESCOM), the official founding of ROTC in the country was in 1912, when the
Philippine Constabulary organized the first military training at the University of the Philippines.
The leadership of the program was transferred to the Philippine National Guard, which was
however, dissolved after World War I. The first ROTC unit was born with the establishment of
the Department of Military Science and Tactics at the University of the Philippines in July 3,
1922. But ROTC would only become mandatory after 13 years when President Manuel Quezon
signed Commonwealth Act 1, also known as the National Defense Act of 1935. In 1939,
President Manuel Quezon issued Executive Order 207, which made the establishment of ROTC
programs obligatory at all colleges and universities with greater than 100 students. By 1941, the
regular armed forces numbered around 30,000. With the imminence of war, President Quezon
intensified the ROTC program. There were 33 colleges and universities that maintained ROTC
units. About 100,000 cadets strengthened the regular forces. With the eruption of World War II
and with Japan occupying the Philippines, the ROTC units were called to the colors in 1942.
ROTC cadets from Manila also fought the Japanese forces and defended Bataan until it fell.
There were about 300 Philippine Military Academy and ROTC cadets who were unable to join
the USAFFE units because of their youth. Most banded together in a common desire to
contribute to the war effort and formed the Hunters ROTC. The Hunters ROTC were among the
most aggressive guerrillas in the war. They were the only guerrilla unit to have raided a Japanese
prison to free resistance fighters and obtain arms. They were known to have supplied the best
intelligence data on the island of Luzon. ROTC mandatory program for all colleges and
universities give a great impact to all people in the country that brought us to reality after our
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte order to revive the mandatory Reserve Officer Training Corps
(ROTC) program amid calls for its abolition and the present administration moves the
revitalization of ROTC in the curriculum of both public and private secondary and tertiary
schools in the Philippines.

According to the Philippine Army (Hukbong Katihan ng Pilipinas), the Philippine

Army’s vision of becoming “a world-class Army is the source of national pride”, it is imperative
that the Army continuously develop the capability of its forces to be able to keep pace and be
adaptable to the fast changing operational environment and to effectively execute its mandate as
a dependable ground force. One of the emphases given by the Philippine Army is to develop its
capability in combined arms operations. It pointed out that the successful conduct of operations
hinge on the proper force mix and employment of Army capabilities. Likewise, as outlined in the
Philippine Army Operating Concept and the Landpower Maneuver Concept, central to the
Philippine Army fighting capability is the conduct of combined arms operations. It is a
distinctive competency of the Philippine army that applies its different combat and combat
support capabilities in the conduct of military affairs across the range of all Army operations.
Stakeholders of this Combined Arms Operations manual are the Army field commanders,
combat support and combat service support units, PA Education and Training institutions, other
AFP units directly involved in operations and individuals involved in the planning and execution
of joint and combined arms operations.

One of my reaction to the videos was being proud to the passion and patriotism shown
not just by those who implemented this concept but also those who supported and gave all they
had, blood and sweat. In the video, it is shown that everyone, from a high ranking officer to a
foot soldier, training and improving their set of skills. They are preparing different maneuvers
such as defense and operational strategy, the operational environment, and modernized
equipment and vehicles suitable for military operations.

I think that ROTC is the solution in our country to avoid terrorism and rebellion. First,
ROTC does not only focusing on concerns such as practical problems within the program itself,
but also from greater political concerns over the role of the military in Philippine society in
general. Second, in this program we have leadership, team work and management skills needed
to become a Philippine Army officer or to have a successful citizen career to. Lastly, it can help
people develops the team-building, negotiating and consensus-building skills that Army officers
need in helping the people of the world establish democratic systems, govern & secure
themselves and institutionalize liberty and human rights.

With this much preparation and dedication, it is considered that the Philippine Army is
one of the most crucial part of our country, they serve the country with their lives at stake to
protect the people and the sovereignty of the state. I believe that ROTC program can help us and
our country to be more progressive, to have self – discipline, and a responsible citizen in our
community in order for us to serve our country.

SUBMITTED BY:

VLADIMIR S. MARQUINA

NSTP (ROTC), RO-N