These are some principles that can be applied in Reserve Officer Training Corps or popularly known as ROTC. As the general public may view it, ROTC is basically, a course taken because it is required in the curriculum and not because it’s an interesting program.
If ROTC had not been a required course, and CWTS in the PLM chapter can accommodates all freshmen students, I guess there would only be a handful of students who will enroll in ROTC. Why wake up as early as seven in the morning and miss your Sunday family-get-together in exchange for this? Why suffer the exposure of the intense heat of the sun? Why wear the bulky fatigue uniform with all its accessories? Why feel intimidated by officials around you who are ready to command at any time? Why even follow their orders at all, and even their method of punishment? And even of all the colors, a black cover for a tickler? There are many puzzling questions as to why and how these things are done, and, why and how some things happen. But as part of being human, we constantly search for answers, hoping that if we find the answers we are looking for, we can justify what we do. Just as students try to unveil the principle behind every training day in the ROTC course.
Behind every suffering that a cadet undergoes are actually, if not development, enrichment of values. These include obedience, camaraderie, commitment, excellence, service and self-discipline. First is obedience to those who are in command, most especially to the superiors. By following orders and commands, cadets and fellow officers learn to obey rules and directions. No officer in the ROTC is tolerated with nonconformity. To function effectively in a squad, in a unit, in a battalion, it is essential to manifest camaraderie. No unit can fulfill the task without helping each others, as well as, complementing each other. The commitment to fulfill your obligations, to attend each training day, even in the dedication to endure the undertakings, these are nonetheless useful ideals obtained.
Excellence is also developed. It is in doing tasks with knowledge as well as wisdom, and not just merely because of compliance, shows how excellent a cadet or an officer is. Undoubtedly, service is one of the main reasons why ROTC exists. As what the meaning of ROTC states, a reserve force for our country. And it is with tremendous honor entrusted to the youth, to serve other people especially our nation. To dedicate oneself to be of service to other people is already a big responsibility, what more to be of service to the country and countrymen? It is both an honor and major responsibility.
And most of all the last but not the least, self-discipline. It is the urge to do what is necessary or sensible without needing to be told by others. How can you discipline others if you are not disciplined at all? It is difficult to impose unto others what should be done if you don’t practice it yourself. For me, this is the most sensible answer to the questions raised previously. It is why we wake early in the morning, suffer the heat of the sun, wear the bulky fatigue uniform, at least feel intimidated by officials, follow orders. It is because of self-discipline. In order for the youth to become responsible and mature enough, is to imbue in them the values stated formerly. And as it is utilize comes the power to inspire others and our nation to progress. As long as the ROTC still trains the youth, and as well as the seemingly suffering it causes to them, there will always be these young generation for a progressive nation.