ROTC: Developing the Youth as Responsible, Competent and Patriotic Leaders

 by Marciano Paroy Jr.

             I declare: I strongly oppose the idea that the youth of today are slowly losing their opportunity to shape the world in which they live!

             To my comrades; to the distinguished and well-decorated men and women in uniform; to our panel of expert judges; ladies and gentlemen, good morning!

             Several decades have passed since the inception of the Reserved Officers Training Corps in 1922, and its mandatory inclusion in the college curriculum by way of Executive Order 207 in 1939 through President Manuel L. Quezon; …. And then the country underwent a series of upheaval since the Marcos era when ROTC was renamed Citizens Military Training, and then back again to its original name in 1991 as a result of Republic Act 7077, or the National Reservist Act.

             And yet through all these years, ROTC has managed to cloak upon itself the integrity that has always been associated with it. One needs only to look back at the quality of leaders that were molded, strengthened and produced through the rigorous preparation that they were subjected to.

             I do indeed intend to differ… for I strongly stress that it is only through this ROTC preparation that all freshmen or sophomores can truly learn about the long and great tradition of military instruction; …. It is through ROTC where young men and women can sincerely learn how to salute and honor the Philippine Flag, the National Anthem, and to uphold the Constitution …and history tells us that it is out of ROTC where we have the long tradition of having Diplomats, Generals, High Gov’t Officials, Presidents, and other administrators in key offices all through out the land… and they all still stand as proud as when they first stood on the ground for their first Parade and Review – drenched in sweat, yet dripping with efficiency and precision.

          Yet we are faced today with the question about the relevance of ROTC. Some contend that the youth of today should be given other areas of instruction to keep them abreast with the times. ….But, let me take your attention to what is going on out there in the streets: we have a growing group of young people who are mediocre not only in academics but also in values.

          With the speed of growing youth delinquencies, little attention is given to discipline, leadership, comradeship, & nationalism. But remember that ROTC is a major training ground for values, pride, and nationalism. With the present imbalance, what might probably happen to the already deteriorating stance of the youth? … And, in the long run, what might happen to our beloved republic?

             The major problem facing the republic today is not created by one group facing opposition to another; it is not one ideology, as opposed to another; it is not one religion’s opposition to another. The problem of the country is the irrevocable tendency of most Filipinos to be egocentric – to further his or her own advantage, to seek his own welfare to the exclusion of his fellow men. And this tendency is passed on like a disease from one person to another, from one generation to the next, from the older to the younger. And so this is where the danger comes in: for if the youth is corrupted in terms of values, we shall soon have a country led by people who do not have a definite sense of responsibility, competence and patriotism.

             This brings us to the setting where the youth are largely prepared for the rigors of leadership in the future: the college setting. And so this is where ROTC comes in. In addition to the academic learning in the classrooms, ROTC imbues in the youth a training that could never be matched by textbooks.

             As cadets, the youth are brought to the arena where they actually handle responsibilities to be carried out. Cadets learn the reception as well as the delegation of responsibilities. Out there in the field, the cadets learn to calculate the degree of efforts to be exerted – always on the look-out, always watchful, always knowing what they can be able to accomplish. This is efficacy. This is competence. And finally, as the cadets learn to honor the land on which the flag stands with pride, they drape upon themselves the commitment to always protect the freedom for which our heroes have given their precious lives. This is nationalism. This is one’s allegiance to the fortitude of defense, no matter what the cost may be. This is pure patriotism.

             It is only when we seek to establish a nation centered on the morality and character of mankind can we truly expect to tread the path towards meaningful growth. As ROTC continues to teach men and women to accept absolute values of integrity, responsibility, competence and patriotism, there is no doubt that this republic will lead Filipinos forward beyond known frontiers into the new territory of lasting human freedom.

             As a young individual brimming with pride for my military credentials, I do believe that ROTC has the ability to bind up all the wounds and illnesses plaguing the society today. And with all vehemence and fervor, I strongly believe that the youth with ROTC preparation can find the dedication… to transform… to pursue positive change… to influence others so that they may think alike… to soar… to lead… To lead.

ROTC: Developing the Youth as Responsible,
Competent and Patriotic Leaders
 
By Marciano Paroy Jr.
 
            I declare: I strongly oppose the idea that the youth of today are slowly losing their opportunity to shape the world in which they live!
 
            To my comrades; to the distinguished and well-decorated men and women in uniform; to our panel of expert judges; ladies and gentlemen, good morning!
 
            Several decades have passed since the inception of the Reserved Officers Training Corps in 1922, and its mandatory inclusion in the college curriculum by way of Executive Order 207 in 1939 through President Manuel L. Quezon; …. And then the country underwent a series of upheaval since the Marcos era when ROTC was renamed Citizens Military Training, and then back again to its original name in 1991 as a result of Republic Act 7077, or the National Reservist Act.
 
            And yet through all these years, ROTC has managed to cloak upon itself the integrity that has always been associated with it. One needs only to look back at the quality of leaders that were molded, strengthened and produced through the rigorous preparation that they were subjected to.
 
            I do indeed intend to differ… for I strongly stress that it is only through this ROTC preparation that all freshmen or sophomores can truly learn about the long and great tradition of military instruction; …. It is through ROTC where young men and women can sincerely learn how to salute and honor the Philippine Flag, the National Anthem, and to uphold the Constitution …and history tells us that it is out of ROTC where we have the long tradition of having Diplomats, Generals, High Gov’t Officials, Presidents, and other administrators in key offices all through out the land… and they all still stand as proud as when they first stood on the ground for their first Parade and Review – drenched in sweat, yet dripping with efficiency and precision.
 
            Yet we are faced today with the question about the relevance of ROTC. Some contend that the youth of today should be given other areas of instruction to keep them abreast with the times. ….But, let me take your attention to what is going on out there in the streets: we have a growing group of young people who are mediocre not only in academics but also in values.
 
            With the speed of growing youth delinquencies, little attention is given to discipline, leadership, comradeship, & nationalism. But remember that ROTC is a major training ground for values, pride, and nationalism. With the present imbalance, what might probably happen to the already deteriorating stance of the youth? … And, in the long run, what might happen to our beloved republic?
 
            The major problem facing the republic today is not created by one group facing opposition to another; it is not one ideology, as opposed to another; it is not one religion’s opposition to another. The problem of the country is the irrevocable tendency of most Filipinos to be egocentric – to further his or her own advantage, to seek his own welfare to the exclusion of his fellow men. And this tendency is passed on like a disease from one person to another, from one generation to the next, from the older to the younger. And so this is where the danger comes in: for if the youth is corrupted in terms of values, we shall soon have a country led by people who do not have a definite sense of responsibility, competence and patriotism.
 
            This brings us to the setting where the youth are largely prepared for the rigors of leadership in the future: the college setting. And so this is where ROTC comes in. In addition to the academic learning in the classrooms, ROTC imbues in the youth a training that could never be matched by textbooks.
 
            As cadets, the youth are brought to the arena where they actually handle responsibilities to be carried out. Cadets learn the reception as well as the delegation of responsibilities. Out there in the field, the cadets learn to calculate the degree of efforts to be exerted – always on the look-out, always watchful, always knowing what they can be able to accomplish. This is efficacy. This is competence. And finally, as the cadets learn to honor the land on which the flag stands with pride, they drape upon themselves the commitment to always protect the freedom for which our heroes have given their precious lives. This is nationalism. This is one’s allegiance to the fortitude of defense, no matter what the cost may be. This is pure patriotism.
 
            It is only when we seek to establish a nation centered on the morality and character of mankind can we truly expect to tread the path towards meaningful growth. As ROTC continues to teach men and women to accept absolute values of integrity, responsibility, competence and patriotism, there is no doubt that this republic will lead Filipinos forward beyond known frontiers into the new territory of lasting human freedom.
 

            As a young individual brimming with pride for my military credentials, I do believe that ROTC has the ability to bind up all the wounds and illnesses plaguing the society today. And with all vehemence and fervor, I strongly believe that the youth with ROTC preparation can find the dedication… to transform… to pursue positive change… to influence others so that they may think alike… to soar… to lead… To lead.