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Rotc

This document discusses reviving the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program in senior high schools in the Philippines. It provides background on the ROTC program, which was previously mandatory but became optional in 2002. While ROTC can teach discipline and patriotism, it was previously marred by abuses. However, if implemented effectively with proper guidelines, ROTC could help teach valuable skills while instilling nationalism in youth. The author supports reviving ROTC in senior high schools to help address issues like a lack of discipline in youth today. Effective policies from higher education are needed to ensure ROTC's integrity and relevance if implemented.

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Ian Ray Paglinawan
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725 views2 pages

Rotc

This document discusses reviving the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program in senior high schools in the Philippines. It provides background on the ROTC program, which was previously mandatory but became optional in 2002. While ROTC can teach discipline and patriotism, it was previously marred by abuses. However, if implemented effectively with proper guidelines, ROTC could help teach valuable skills while instilling nationalism in youth. The author supports reviving ROTC in senior high schools to help address issues like a lack of discipline in youth today. Effective policies from higher education are needed to ensure ROTC's integrity and relevance if implemented.

Uploaded by

Ian Ray Paglinawan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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APPLE M.

LANAQUE
AB – 3

Should the ROTC Program be revived in the Senior High School

INTRODUCTION

Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) in the Philippines is one of the three
components of the National Service Training Program. The civic education and defense
preparedness program for Filipino college students. Its specific objectives include preparation
of college students for service in the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the commissioned
officers of the AFP. It would be fit to look deeper into and appreciate the value of instilling
discipline and patriotism through military training among young Filipinos. For after all, it is
upon their hands that the steering wheel of this nation be passed on. As national peace and
order continues to be challenged from several corners, ROTC might perhaps be a viable
preemptive tool.

BACKGROUND OF THE ISSUE

Unknown to a large number of today’s Filipino youths, the Reserve Officer Training
Corps (ROTC) program was once an integral, universal and, indeed a mandatory component
of all college-going men. Today, ROTC is just one of three tracks of the National Service
Training Program (NSTP) — the civic education program, which since 2002 has been a
requisite for graduation at all Filipino colleges, universities, and some vocational schools.
ROTC was made optional and voluntary in 2002 with the enactment of the National Service
Training Program, which introduced Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS) and Literacy
Training Service (LTS) as alternatives for ROTC. Since then, a decline in the enrollment in ROTC
became the obvious deterioration of young Filipinos’ interest in military service. Over the
past decade and a half, young Filipinos have become increasingly removed from the concept
of military service. Among the younger Filipino generations, the existence and role of the
ROTC program barely register — only 14% of NSTP enrollees opt for the ROTC program.
DISCUSSION OF THE TOPIC

ROTC before was marred by violation of students’ rights and bullying – ranging from
hazing and other forms of violence, and corruption – financial extortion. Students could pay
off their commandants to pass the course and skip all the marching in hot uniforms. Nothing
much was taught either other than field-stripping antique Garand and drilling. If the Armed
Forces of the Philippines needed people to do fancy marching, they had those in the
thousands. Actual trained combatants, not much. To make ROTC mandatory again would help
teach discipline, instills patriotism, love of country, moral and spiritual values, respect for
human rights, adherence to the Constitution and nationalism. The training, if done properly
and well, could be valuable and helpful. One can learn navigation, map reading, weapons
handling, and first aid skills. And strict discipline, from waking up early to obeying commands
of superior officers without question.

POSITION

I am in favor of the revival of the ROTC Program in the Senior High School. In this
millennial era and technological advancement, the youth nowadays forgot the true meaning
of patriotism and strict discipline, due to technology one is not bequeathed with the proper
skills in everyday life other than lounging in computers and cellphones. With the revival of
the ROTC Program, affirms the values that have always been taught as children: discipline,
camaraderie, and respect for others, especially those who’ve come before us, and a deep
sense of nationalism and love for our country and will awaken the younger generation to
serve and protect our democracy.

RECOMMENDATION

Effective implementation of the ROTC program is the key to the program’s revival. The
government, through higher education institutions, will provide policies and effectual
modules for teaching the military training program to ensure the integrity of the course
commandants, the relevance of the subjects to be taught, and the quality of teaching. If
guidelines are in place, and limitations and accountabilities are set, students and their
parents, only need to understand and be assured that the discipline and patriotism being
instilled through the ROTC program are the building blocks upon which the new breed of
Filipino leaders are molded and honed.

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