Around 1,400 individuals trooped to the Philippine Army (PA) Grandstand in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Saturday, March 12, to participate in a military recruitment and reservist caravan.
The two-day caravan, which ends Sunday, March 13, was spearheaded by the Army Personnel Management Center and part of the series of month-long activities for the celebration of the Army's 125th founding anniversary.
Col. Xerxes Trinidad, PA spokesperson, said that there were 150 Officer Candidate Course (OCC) hopefuls who have also taken the pre-qualifying Armed Forces of the Philippines Service Aptitude Test (AFPSAT) on the first day of the caravan.
“Philippine Army Major Units have set-up recruitment booths and static displays to inform applicants about the diverse functions of soldiers in the organization,” Trinidad said.
Moreover, the Philippine Army Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Reservist and Retiree Affairs (OG9, PA) has set-up a booth for Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) cadets and aspiring members of the reserve force.
According to Trinidad, successful applicants are entitled to a monthly pay and allowances worth P33,327 for candidate soldier; P37,038 for Private (Enlisted Personnel); P41,696 for Officer Candidate; and P49,906 for 2nd Lieutenant (Call to Active Duty).
They will also have insurance and healthcare benefits, billeting and housing privileges, job security, leadership and other skills trainings, opportunity for career advancement based on performance, opportunities for local and international post graduate studies, and a chance to lead in the Army, Trinidad said.
But before they can enjoy the perks, applicants will have to pass months of rigorous trainings that will test their strength, character, and intellect.
The Army is the biggest service unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), leading the Philippine Navy and Philippine Air Force in terms of the number of its personnel. The AFP has around 210,000 active and paramilitary forces.
Annually, it is holding a recruitment campaign to replace their personnel who retire or leave the service due to various reasons.