BUTUAN CITY – Thirty-two candidate soldiers under the special enlistment quota have completed basic military training at the Mindanao Army Training Group, Training and Doctrine Command, in Kalilangan, Bukidnon.
Army 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division Public Affairs Office (PAO) chief Major Francisco P. Garello Jr. said on Monday, September 18, that these new soldiers from the Candidate Soldier Course (CSC) Class 760-2023 composed of 26 men and six women underwent more than four months of rigid training since April that measured their physical and mental abilities and transformed them from civilians into fine grown military men and women.
During the closing ceremony on Thursday, September 14, Brig. Gen. Mitchele B. Anayron Jr., commanding general of the Army 403rd Infantry (Peacemaker) Brigade, who represented 4th ID chief Major Gen. Jose Maria R. Cuerpo II, emphasized the importance of possessing commitment and dedication to service which will help every new soldier perform their mandate to serve and secure the people and communities amidst difficulties and challenges that may come along their way.
They will be deployed to different units in the Caraga and Northern Mindanao regions.
Meanwhile, in his message, Cuerpo congratulated the new soldiers as well as their trainors for successfully hurdling the training. He added that this is not the end but the beginning of their military careers.
"Even after accomplishing the basic military training, keep in mind that your development as a soldier does not end here, instead it's just getting started,” he said.
“Ninety-nine percent of your development will be learned in the field,” the 4th ID chief said, adding, “You have to show your utmost discipline to face all the challenges that you may encounter and focus on your vision."