By Martin Sadongdong
With the hunger to be the best soldier that they can be, 21 new lieutenants joined the ranks of the Philippine Marine Corps as the Marine Officer Basic Course (MOBC) Class 42 commenced on Wednesday at the Marine Corps Force Development Center (MCFDC) in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
Philippine Marine Corps (PH Marine's Facebook / MANILA BULLETIN)
Captain Felix Serapio Jr., director of the Philippine Marine Corps public affairs office, said the volunteers came from the new graduates of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) "Mabalasik" Class of 2019 and Naval Officers Candidate Course Class 31.
The newly minted soldiers will undergo a six-month training before they could become "full-blooded" Marines, Serapio noted.
"Subjecting them under rigorous mental and physical training, graduates will be armed with the knowledge and skill necessary in the performance of their duties and responsibilities as Marine officers, representing the best in soldiery," Serapio stated.
Colonel Jonathan Gabor, acting superintendent of the MCFDC, reminded the volunteers to "remain firm" as they "face greater responsibilities" which are necessary to be excellent in their role as young leaders of the Marine Corps.
While it is due to personal calling that the PMA graduates chose to be Marine officers, the MOBC is a required course for volunteers of the Naval Officers.
"It will prepare them to become platoon and company commanders of the different Marine battalions," Serapio said.
"Upon graduation, these Marine officers will be assigned in the critical areas where Marines are deployed," he added.