A Cadet Officer's Life in UP Manila

Instructions for Training--in Uniform

2008-12-28T02:52:00.000-08:00

I went to the Corps area Wednesday so that I could log in. I took note of the things that I had to bring, reminders on how to behave, and a new batch of anthologies to remember. I think I sat on the logbook for 10 minutes or so... It was shorter than the number of minutes I waited to be able to sit because of the length of the queue waiting to be able to read the instructions.

There were about five of us waiting. Noting that there were really a lot of things one COC would have to copy, some of us who learned who the others are just copied from the others. There are others, however, who played safe--they did not let us copy. I thought then that they were selfish sons-of-rebellious-women (hehehe), but I learned now that they were just playing safe and following orders.

(I didn't try to copy, though, because I myself was afraid then.)

While waiting, of course, everyone of us has to "stick to the wall." I don't know why that was the case... I thought then it may be due to avoid crowding the narrow hallway of SSWC. (Another idea that came to my mind was that it was a way to clean the walls--with our sleeves.)

While waiting, even though there were no cadet officers in the area (or at least, there was no one obvious who was there), I was afraid to look other than the nape of the person in front of me. We all also stood in attention, even though we had the idea that no one was watching us.

(Later, my batchmates and I learned that even though there was no cadet officer watching us, the security guard--who was a close friend of the cadet officers--was watching us, but he did not report on us to the cadet officers.)

One of my classmates also told me during one of our past training days that the SSWC used to be a building that was condemned but re-used. I learned later that it was just either a joke or unverified report from a reliable person. SSWC was a building from the Environmental Management Bureau that was then used for the Department of Physical Education.

(The building, during the time of this event, however, was already condemned for use.)

After about 30 minutes of waiting, I got to the seat. I walked in full attention, then faced about, and sat properly (without the "Sir, Thank you, Sir!" of course). Then, I sat down. As per instructions, I used only four inches of the closer edge of the seat, sat up straight, knees together, and the non-writing arm on top of my knees.

After the usual bull$h1t essay encouraging us (which, unfortunately, I never got to read other than the first entry), I went to the things I need to copy.

The first part is the essay... It served to encourage us, tell us that we were doing the right thing, but we needed to improve, that we were this now and we would be that by the end of the training... things like that.

The second part of the entry is the detailed training instructions. It included the date (in military format) and time of the training and location.

It included the type of uniform to use. It told us that we were to use the Full Tropical Fatigue Uniform (TFU), otherwise known as Type-A TFU. We didn't have it by then, but the instructions told me later that it would be available by Friday so we have to return on Friday to get it.

We were instructed to bring the usual things: red pen, black pen, thickler notebook, regular notebook and properly folded white handkerchief (These were part of our uniform, it seems.).

After this part, there were a lot of new things--mainly because we would have to use the uniform now.

The instructions included drawing of the TFU, with the expected place of folds in red ink. The person who wrote the instructions did a good job with this.

The upper garment has four pockets (Please don't ask me what type of pockets they are.) in front. The drawing has the sleeves spread out to show where the UP and Army Reserve Command patches are expected to be. It also shows the namecloth on the left side of the upper garment (During this time, the name is placed on the left side of the body, just above the level of the heart.). The Army cloth is on the right.

Interestingly, above these two clothes are vertical lines--red lines in particular, indicating they are folds or marine press. They also go down below the upper pocket (which, for reference, let us call "breast pocket"), going to the lower pocket, and then bypassing the lower pocket itself, down to the lower edge of the upper garment.

It would seem like a challenge to do this.

The next illustration shows the back of the upper garment, with three vertical folds--one in the center, and two on each side, about the vertical line of the lungs.

The illustration of the lower garment showed vertical folds.

The instructions also indicated that we have to charolle our boots and shine the buckle inside out.

And lastly, there was again a new batch of anthologies to remember.

Friday--get the uniform.

Military Correspondence

2008-12-20T23:41:00.000-08:00

Perhaps one of the lessons that a cadet officer and a cadet would really use is Military Correspondence (or milcor). In the Army, I believe this lesson discusses the various formats of military letters. In ROTC, however, it is just one format. The Memo-like format of TO-FROM-SUBJECT.

It was not that difficult, it seems. We started with the what, the why (or in what instances you need to write the milcor) and whos. When we went to the details of the format, and the impression that we need to type perfect letters if we want our requests to even be considered, we have to consider everything.

And I mean everything.

The letterhead is the HQ address. Followed by an originating office or unit, across the date line. The date is one tab or approximately five spaces from the center of the page, which uses one-inch margin on each of the paper's sides. And the paper has to be short bond paper... not A4. Short. As in 8.5" by 11".

We were introduced to the bureaucratic language that would haunt every Filipino when that person attempts to write a letter to a higher authority in a formal organization: Third-person messages. The undersigned would like to request....

If an officer has to make an incident report (which usually is critical), instead of typing "I," the CO has to type "the undersigned."

We have to make everything justified as well.

If there is anything that I have learned that I should do (although I have not learned why then but now I know) within the letter, it is the basic communication practice: introduce what you will say, say it, reiterate what you have just said.

Night Training

2008-12-04T16:31:00.001-08:00

Not all of our trainings were conducted on Sundays, nor in the morning. Due to the number of subjects that have to crammed in the number of available "preparation days" (days before we take command during the first semester), we sometimes have to take lessons at night, during weekdays. We did this at SSWC.

One of my favorite subjects was Military Intelligence. I remember that it was the course director who handled the lecture.

Unlike previous notion of James Bond and espionage, I understood military espionage as processing of information and I learned how to differentiate intelligence versus information versus data.

I appreciated it even more because I learned that I could apply military intelligence process in my practical life--not to spy on anyone but on how to get the information that I need and how to come to valid conclusions. I also learned why we needed the tickler notebook (which I use even up to today). Every bit of information may be useless for now but will come handy when collated and related with other pieces of information and in the right context.

I also appreciated the process of identifying the proper sourcing of information so as not to waste resources.

Of course, there is still the part of the dirty military intelligence--"dirty" meaning literally dirty. The soldiers go to enemy location, go under the ground to monitor enemy activity (I have also appreciated getting dirty to accomplish the task.).

Even officers may be required to do this "dirty task."

In the end, we learned how we, cadet officers, have continuing task of generating intelligence for our own purpose: How to survive UP and help other cadet officers survive the UP academic system and graduate.

We also have field training exercises at night, but that will be for another post.

Always learning something new

2005-09-28T17:09:00.000-07:00

Time passed rather quickly. Tuesday was a class in PE I (Foundations of Physical Fitness) and Philosophy I and History I. No class in Wednesday. Thursday's schedule was the same as that on Monday. The difference is that Thursday is ROTC login day.

My last class ends 1600H. The time provided for us last training day to log in was until 1630H. Considering the time our math teacher ends the class, the level in the building I am on, and the distance between RH and SSWC is, I have to rally my things (a big black bag and other stuff brought by hand) real quick. About five minutes before deadline, I've arrived in the SSWC. There were about 5 cadets, I cannot tell who are MS 11 or MS 21.

Knowing by now how to enter a room properly, no more problem with that. Still, the fear of making a mistake, particularly in saying the words, and what or who waits inside, I have to wait a second and prepare mentally and physically before I get through the rectangular doorway.

I knocked three times, twisted the doorknob, and shouted the correct words, a few sophomore girls taking PE looking suddenly at me in surprise.

No one answered.

Did I say the words wrong, or have they not heard me? After about five seconds, I tried again. Knock three times, twist the door knob, and shout the words. The girls are giggling in entertainment. I hate this.

Still, no one answered.

I have to remember if I am missing something wrong. I noted how I knocked the door. It's correct. Knowcking with the "full force of you elbow". It was loud.

When I was about to try again and raise my hand, a female cadet officer opened the door, giving instructions how to do it.

" 'Pag binuksan mo iyong pinto, buksan mo nang ganito (about 6 inches), para marinig ng mga tao sa loob." (When you open the door, open it up to about 6 inches, so that the people inside could hear who you are.)

"Sir, yes, sir," I answered.

"Again," the CO said while I she went out of the room and into the door after the Corps office.

The thing that raised my alert was that this CO was the same CO that had me do 20 pushups to sympathize with another person during enlistment.

Inside and outside the Corps

2005-09-18T16:15:00.000-07:00

"Pulutong, lumansag!" (Platoon, dismissed.)

After that command, we scrambled to get out of SSWC. The third class cadet officer told us that after he dismisses us, we must be outside of UP premises within five seconds.

After getting out of the CN gate, we exchanged numbers. I didn't have a mobile phone, so I gave the number of our house.

During COCC training, we never called anybody in our class.

We went home exhausted, getting a glimpse of the future four or so years - not in ROTC, but in UP.

Being a cadet officer is a lifestyle in UP Manila.

* * *

I have a 7:30AM class in Spanish I the next day, and I thought it would be like the other days I had before ROTC. But no. It's different.

It was very different.

I walked differently, that's for sure. I had to walk straight, I'm afraid cadet officers would see me slouching my way in college. I imagined myself being shouted at by a Co in the college, and I have to talk to him or her in FULL attention. I have to minimize the chance of a CO seeing me in a way they should not.

That way of walking, plus a couple (or company) of cadets who saw me the previous day, with their lady classmates, gave another difference. I didn't hear whispers like, "That man is a COC," or something, but I could see their eyes looking, I could now feel their glance at my back.

I have been marked.

Talk about not letting anyone know I was in COCC.

After waiting for a few minutes outside the classroom - we had to wait for the utility personnel to open the classrooms - we went inside. In our block, there were 5 guys. Four freshmen, 1 graduating. The rest of the 30-strong class is girls. Of the four freshman guys, only I was taking COCC.

So that I would not be tempted not to listen, I sat at the front. I have to take this seriously. We were told we have to maintain a grade in our acads to maintain officership.

I remembered our lesson in military correspondence. It included the last day of request for transfer (RTU) - or quitting. I thought, I'll give it another try.

* * *

In Philosophy I, our teacher did not attend class, because was the first time we met (a tradition being held religiously by professors). At that moment a group of students asked if they could do RTR (room to room, or give a speech in class). They all wore smilies and were very friendly, except this one suave guy who is observing me intently (he gives a smile to other people, though). What is this guy thinking?

All the other girls and guys spoke at the front. Student elections, that is what this is all about. The party was Katipunan.

The tall guy sat beside me and listened to his co-members. Is this a fratman who wants to recruit me? Why? Can't he see my thin and small body? I'm a useless comrade in a rumble, and I'm not going to make myself a slave for an honorless society (notice the qualification, though). Or is this a recruiter for this leftist organization?

"Nag-a-ROTC ka ba?" (Are you taking ROTC?) the guy asked first without looking at me, then turned his head with full attention.

"Oo" (Yes), I answered.

"Kilala mo ba ako?" (Do you know who I am?)

"Hindi po," (No, with a touch of respect.).

"Jury," he said, while tapping my shoulder. "Raya ako dati. Kumusta mo ako kina Joe." (I was with Raya before. Say hi to Joe for me.)

"COCC ako," I thoughtlessly blurted out, feeling a sense of superiority. Raya ka lang pala, eh. Mas Mataas ako sa'yo (In the future, I would ask for a 'wish' from this guy).

"Galingan mo," (Do good,) Jury said. Somehow, I felt a sense of real appreciation from this guy. I felt guilty for my feeling of competitive pride (I felt fear when I learned later who he really was.).

When he spoke, all the girls in our class were really listening., He has the looks, and he has the solid confidence that was a mix of his looks and a sense of competent authority. I only know of one fraternity that has a competent training for its members: Upsilon Sigma Phi (at least, that was what I thought then). So that's who this guy, I thought.

The way he spoke it, it was like he knows everyone in this class. He has complete control of the situation. He knows when to be funny, and when it is serious he could pull the class to his objective. I didn't think a guy in college could influence people this way.

When he was done, he thanked everyone for listening. They went out of the room for the next room. He let the others walk out of the room first.

When they went out, the girls and boys in our class were solid for this party (considering most of them were "coño").

* * *

With a coño set of blockmate, I could not go anywhere but wherever they are going. They, or we, went to this rather classy place (for that time), Manila Midtown Inn (as I remember). The price was competitive, to say the least, but it was my whole week's worth of money for that day's lunch. Tomorrow, I have to eat monay and softdrinks for lunch (on that day, I looked forward to transferring to PLM, where I thought I could save).

We had steak. It was the first time I ate that kind of dish. That day, I thought, I'll be separate from these people when I eat.

That "separation" started there, like a Pharisee, I separated myself to a purpose that at first was selfish, but became a call of duty.

All COs are called to be separate. They are indeed chosen to be separate.

* * *

Our last class for the first day is Mathematics 1.

Our teacher is challenging one for me. He is very mild-mannered, he is very intent in his words, he is very prudent in his writing. In short, he is boring. My last teacher in high school mathematics was very orderly, but he was able to maintain an air of openness and welcomeness for questions in the class. In this class, the boredom gags my mouth. I want to get out of this room ASAP!

Math 1 as a subject is very challenging itself for me. I cannot define its scope. It's like a UP-twisted elementary education mathematics.

I looked out of the window and saw the top part of the Supreme Court building. Do the judges need math? Do business people in communication need math?

I need math. In order to pass the course, I have to pass all my subjects. I have to love it. Why should I think of the hardships when I used to play with numbers like licking my lips - that's how easy math was for me.

I looked on the blackboard - and despair. What kind of math is this? This is worse than our Philo I class!

* * *

On my way out of the school, I looked on a poster of the student election parties. It looked like there are three types of parties. The activist, the conservative, and the midway.

The Katipunan represents the organizations that are radical, activist and "pro-masses." AESOP is the other end - conservative, rational, pro-status quo. ASAP is somewhere in the middle.

I remembered Jury being under the Katipunan's slate for CAS. I looked for his profile since it lists the highlights of academic and social achievements. The last item reads: "Cadet Officer, Rayadillo Company."

COCC - First Training Day (Part 2)

2005-07-23T15:25:00.000-07:00

CLOSE YOUR EYES! the cadet officer shouted.

And so we did. Or at least I thought everyone did. Until a loud "BLOG" filled the hallway. Someone got hit with the ball of the palm at the solar plexus.

"Why are your eyes not closed?" the same cadet officer asked someone (obviously, someone did not close his eyes). In the darkness of the hallway and in the cover of my eyelids, I could only hear the next words... "Drop and give me twenty!"

I swallowed the liquid in my mouth - saliva. Now, it is serious. I mean, if earlier, I thought it was scary, now, it is real. Life wouldn't, or couldn't, get more real than this, I thought.

I could hear the One, Two, Three... Nineteen, Twenty of the fellow cadet. After that, I could hear the person scruffle to stand up. The cadet officer (like me) waited what he would say.

(The cadet, I learned later, was the corps commander of their high school CAT.)

* * *

After allowing us to open our eyes, the cadet officer commanded asked us to go to the lecture room - on the double, stick to the wall, right side, mouths shut. The first person in the line, taking every EXTRA precaution, knocked first at the door and asked permission to get inside, even though no one was inside. The cadet officer behind us told us, "Enter."

As usual, the cadet took one step forward (followed by the person immediately behind him), then gave a salute. The cadet officer said, "Carry on."

On the double, an observer would have described us as a group of molecules randomly moving while waiting for the last cadet to enter. Finally, the cadet officer walked inside, and the person who asked permission to enter for the class, shouted, "ZHUN!" It was short for and the last syllable of "Attention." After that, he gave the salute. A few of us (including me) gave a salute as well, not knowing that only the person who shouted or only a representative for the class needed to do so. The cadet officer returned the salute.

"Fall in," the cadet officer mentioned in a firm voice. It was a vague command, for most of us. While many of us have higher learning of CAT in high school, some do not have any idea what is COCC in the first place. Some were "persuaded," or asked to sign into a sheet not knowing the difference between two papers.

The cadet officer started without introducing himself. Not that I thought it was needed it, I didn't think I would remember any of them, anyway. As soon as I learned over the week before that this is a special unit and requires more time than any ROTC unit, I thought I would get out of this fast.

To allow us to do the first thing that needs to be done in any training day, the cadet officer started with the basics of FIA - Formation, Inspection and Administration. We learned the command and what we should do. Above all, however, we were indoctrinated to the nature of the military organization - perfection and synchronization.

I personally saw it during the basic FIA (For me, I thought of basic FIA as what the cadet ought to know - not what a cadet officer needs to know.) - it was not as simple as us cadets doing the things ordered of us, but everything has to be done simultaneously. All of us cadets learned that it is not simply us doing the same things at the same time - it was beyond that. We soon learned that we have to have one HEART.

The heart is the part of the body that sets the pace of an action. It speeds up or slows down what the body does. In this class, we have to have one count. If we step backwards, after the command "KAD," we have to have a set time when that "d" sound has ended, and when our simultaneous counting would begin.

Yes. This is just the beginning.

* * *

We learned later how to sit down. The cadet officer commanded, "Take seat," in a softer (relatively) voice.

We jumped (shortly, the first count), then proceeded to Indian Seat (cross-legged, the second count).

Another cadet officer came in, this one, more formal, and taller than the earlier, who was wearing a green uniform.

(I learned later that the uniform being worn by the first cadet officer is called "combat fatigue uniform," while the latter is "Undress White".)

The cadet officer introduced and explained the Cadet Officer Candidate Course, or COCC.

We learned we are the COCC Batch 06-A ("A" being used for First Semester classes). It means that we are, in UP Manila ROTC history, the sixth COCC class.

Now, we are no longer simply Cadet Privates. We are Cadet Officer Candidates, or COCs.

(An ambiguous term created by the UP ROTC. A COC is actually a designation, but has a rank roughly the same as the Cadet Probationary Second Lieutenant, since COC is an officer-in-training cadet. A Cadet Probationary Second Lieutenant, while not yet an officer, already has authority for cadets and cadet NCOs, since these people would soon be their officers in the field. Within the Corps of Officers, however, the cadet probationary second lieutenant rank is given after the academic phase - meaning, the rank would appear in the namecloth of the uniform in the 11th training day only.)

Our batch would soon become Class of 2001.

But that is looking too far forward.

* * *

The COCC training course (or simply, COCC) is composed of 10 training days. In 10 training days - all on Sundays - we are to be taught military subjects that all cadets in our level (Military Science 11) have to take, as well as command and leadership subjects. We would undergo the same basic "things" that a regular cadet undergoes - inspection, drills, graded exams - and on these concerns, we would be measured the same way. When it goes to leadership and OJT (On-the-Job Training), however, things would be very different.

COCs, as future officers, have subjects dealing with leadership, military command, and administration lessons which are not taught to regular units. Only cadet officers know them, basically because they are the only ones that need to know them. They run the cadet corps from the top, but with the experience from below, they also understand how a regular cadet "feels" in a situation.

COCs also have advanced and more practical training compared with cadets in the regular units. They go on real "night" training (which should have given me the idea of overnight training), something which regular infantry units (particularly, the Kampilan Battle Group) do on the shadow of buildings in broad daylight.

Starting the 11th to 13th training day, the COC (presuming the cadet has managed to stay in the course) goes to OJT. In OJT, the cadet officer candidate would be taken to the field, given a unit to command, and be assessed for leadership, command, and responsibility aspects - aside from ALL the military proficiency (more like expertise) that is expected of him (or her). How you walk, talk, shout, carry your uniform or your sword, eat during mess, speak to cadets, upper class, military officers, sponsors - all these, you have to consider, in minute detail.

A graded exam is to be taken on the 5th training day, for military proficiency aspect.

Every training day, a COC is given merits, or demerits, based on uniform inspection, or performance efficiency.

A cadet could leave the COCC only before the 4th training day. After that, the only way out of the COCC is to graduate or drop (that's what we were told, anyway).

In the 14th training day, you would eventually graduate.

For me, it was simply passing. That's all that I need to do.

That's all that I think I could do.

* * *

After an explanation of the COCC, the cadet officer (who introduced himself as the COCC Course Director) went out. The other cadet officer called the class to attention, then saluted for the class. The Course Director left the room. The lower ranking cadet officer followed.

Again, the cadet officer candidates (as we now referred to ourselves), started mumbling and talking to each other. Are you staying? one would ask. I know another unit... another would say. We could do this as a class, another shouts.

BLAGAG!

The door blasted open as a third personality entered. All of us shouted "ZHUN!" The glass windows could have been broken if not for their flexible property (or some other thing).

I remember hostage rescue operations happening the same way, and I could have cringed at the thought of policemen running forward spraying bullets inside, but fear more of the cadet officers who have held us responsible for our actions allowed me to continue standing up.

The cadet officer looked around him. Noticing the chairs at the sides of the room, he asked the class to get them out of the room within 10 (what the...!?) counts. After saying "Double time," the class scrambled.

Of course, you cannot normally scramble 40 chairs out of a 2- or 3-foot wide door in 10 seconds. The cadet officer counted down until it becomes "zero," which was a violation of measure in ROTC. No countdown ever comes to Zero. It ends in One. Everything stops in One. Everything.

The cadet officer explained that - with twenty push-ups for all of us to do. And this one, he observed how each one did the push-up. It should be straightbody, going up and down. The butt should not protrude of the straight body.

And most challenging (or worst) of all, everyone has to do that PERFECT PUNISHMENT IN PERFECT SYNCHRONIZATION.

I realized now that the voice of this cadet officer is the one that commanded us to close our eyes earlier while we were in the hallway.

After 20 push-ups, we stood up. The cadet officer asked, "Who told you to stand up? Give me another 10."

Again, ten. Perfect push-ups in perfect synchronization. After the ten, we did not stand up.

"Zhun!" the cadet officer shouted.

We stood up in big noise - like we want to revolt. But democracy is protected by the military organization, not practiced by it.

"What will you say?" No one knows the answer, so a lot said, "Sir, we'll try to find out, Sir!" (When you do not know the answer, we were taught by the COCC Director to answer, "Sir, I will try to find out, Sir." And you do try to find out because you do not know you will be asked the same question later.).

"Good!" (The first encouraging word of the day - 45 minutes before the training day is dismissed.) the cadet officer said. "You say, 'Sir, I'll be more disciplined next time, Sir.'"

We all shouted, "Sir, we'll be more disciplined next time, Sir!"

"Now," the cadet officer continued, "you are a class. When you are given a task by your upper class, you do it as a class. You could do anything if you do it as a class." The cadet officer pointed out the lack of organization on how we handled the chair-transferring task. If we did it in an organized manner, the 10-count deadline could have been beaten. He gave us another chance. This time, we did it. No further push-ups.

The cadet officer introduced himself as the Corps G2, or the Intelligence Officer (one of us knew he was not).

This cadet officer emphasized now how important we were. He indicated, from an intelligence point of view, that fraternities want us because we are unique, we are above the rest, we are even better than the creme de la creme. No, we are so important that no one, not our classmates, not fraternities, not our professors, not even our parents could mess with us - only THEM. And then, at a purpose that is higher than anything we have been introduced before.

We are called to lead. To command. To be responsible.

The cadet officer also introduced to us the six magic words: This too shall come to pass.

* * *

At the end of the training day, I totalled 125 push-ups, in batches of 10, 20 or 25.

My legs hurt while we shift from unmoving Indian sit to unflinching attention.

My back hurts when we hear the snap as we have to straighten and bend our body 10 degrees backwards for each snap (10 degrees forward when a clap).

But for this training day, I learned the aspects of being a cadet officer and being in the military organization.

Synchronization. Class. Officer.

=====

Apology: I apologize that I wasn't able to update this blog for a while. The reason is that I have other websites which I am updating as well. From now on, however, I would update this blog regularly, once a week. Thank you for reading!

First Training Day (Part 1)

2005-06-16T02:36:00.000-07:00

I saw the formation of a platoon of cadets from outside, when I got off the jeepney. Seeing that I am not as early as I thought, I ran. I have to.

I talked to one of the cadets in the formation, in whisper. I know in CAT that people who are in formation are not supposed to talk. But I have to know what I should do. (The number of people bothered me, Why is there only about 20 people here?)

The person commanding the unit asked what unit I was in (I learned later that he was a cadet NCO). I answered COCC. Upon hearing this, it seems that they have changed their attitude towards me. They pointed me to the building of the physical education, the Sports Science and Wellness Center. The headquarters.

I quickly went in and walked upstairs. I saw a group of cadets with the same attire I have: blue jeans, white shirt, rubber shoes and garrison buckle and belt. I saw them talking. They must be freshmen, I thought, talking about something they either don't know or not entirely sure about. I run to them and asked if they were in COCC. They are.

The wait for the unknown seems long. It actually took about 15 minutes. By 0630H, we heard the steps of boots on the wooden stairwell. The steps were well measured, and so the group of about 40 students in blue-jeans-white-shirt-and-rubber-shoes stopped talking about what they expect of the training day.

The officer shouted, "CLOSE YOUR EYES!"

Waking Up

2005-06-08T18:22:00.000-07:00

Waking up at 0400H was easy when you know what the "dangers" are of waking up late - or getting late in formation. I do not even know where exactly to go. I barely learned anything in CAT* in high school. What could I expect? What should I do when I find no specific person to ask?

I don't remember any dream with my long sleep (I learned later that the sleep I have had is longer than I would have when I become a cadet officer). It was a dreamless one, but not really a restful one. I feel like it had its purpose - to clear my mind for the training day.

It was also easy to leave the sleeping place. I have prepared last night what I would do from the first thing of opening my eyes. I get up immediately - without question or thinking of not getting up immediately. I got up.

My uniform was downstairs. I went downstairs and heated the pan to fry eggs. Rice is not exactly cold, but just like that from last night. I ate with a definite thinking of what MIGHT happen, not knowing that it would all be wrong.

It took me about 15 minutes to finish the egg and the rice. I drink water and then proceeded to brush my teeth. It took me about five minutes.

I proceeded to take a bath when my mother got down to help me prepare. Actually, there's not much that she can do. She just prepared for going to mass - something that I've had a challenge of doing starting ROTC. But I always go to mass after the training day - until I changed religion.

The water was cold, of course. It is something that I have expected. My class normally starts 0830H, so I have the time to take a bath around 0630H or 0700H. By that time, water is not as cold as it is when it is not yet 0500H. Still, with my mind on the unkonwn but a purpose of surviving this day, I took the first drop of cold water.

Five minutes later, I was out of the bathroom. Well done (So bad, I learned later).

I got up to dress up. I wore my jeans and white shirt. The rubber shoes is an old one, but a comfortable-enough one. It was enough.

The logbook said I should only bring the lecture notebook, thickler notebook, thickler pages, white hanky, and black and red ballpens. Aside from that, I only had my uniform to think of. It was Type-C, blue jeans and white collarless shirt, and garrison buckle.

I learned from my father that toothpaste would serve the purpose of shining metal parts. I used it for shining my buckle. The instructions in the logbook said we should shine the buckle "inside out." I thought it was a figure of speech. I learned later that the military virtually has no speech to figure. Everything was literal.

The logbook also told us to shave. I thought I had nothing to shave on my face. I had little hair above my lips. My mother said I should not shave it because it would grow thicker if I do. I did not shave it thinking it would pass inspection. I was wrong.

I went out of the house, and walked three blocks to where I could take a jeepney to Pedro Gil.

It took me less then seven minutes to travel more than the distance of five LRT stations. I thought it was early, it was 0530H. But when I got off the jeepney, I saw a platoon of cadets already in formation.

First training day - Before

2005-06-04T08:10:00.000-07:00

It's my first training day tomorrow. It's Saturday tonight. I'll just wear blue jeans and white shirt. No earrings and watch - I don't have either. It's gonna be an exploratory day.

The instructions in the logbook told us to have enough hours of sleep. For me, it meant eight (8) hours. I decided to obey that. I know it's gonna be a tough day tomorrow.

But now, I have to read again the SOPs.

How to enter and leave a room.
How to move when in the ROTC area.
How to speak to a cadet officer.
What to bring and where to put them (Only things allowed were the lecture notebook, thickler notebook, black and red ballpens).
What to wear (aside from what were told earlier, rubber shoes and nameplate).
Duty, Honor and Country.

I am excited, yet I am affraid. I remember how the cadet officers behaved when I enlisted.

I hope I don't get to do anything stupid tomorrow.

DMST and the Corps of Cadets

2005-05-31T07:34:00.000-07:00

Cinnamon. She's the clerk in the Department of Military Science and Tactics who acts as if she controls the department. Good thing she doesn't, and there are cadet officers to correct her on this perception.

I got to the DMST to log in. Not knowing where the logbook for the cadet officer candidates is, I have to get inside the DMST office and ask (or that's what another cadet who's in-line told me). I got to the ritual.

I knocked the door (with the DMST seal on it) three times, opened it a bit (so that my voice could be heard inside), and shouted at the top of my lungs:

"SIR, Cadet Private Tomi dela Cruz, requesting permission to enter the room, SIR!"

The usual response of the person inside: Dead Silence.

But then, a voice responded after about ten minutes (in my perception of time, that is). It was a lame female-ish voice, "Enter."

I opened the door fully and took one step inside, then saluted to the general direction of the source of the voice. A female creature with a UP uniform sitting in her table and powdering her face greeted me. "Ano'ng kailangan mo?"

Not knowing who she is, I have to address her in the least offending manner. "Ma'am, magla-login po ako sa logbook."

"Ano'ng unit mo?"

Not knowing that I wasn't even allowed to tell her that, I answered, "COCC po."

"Ah, ganoon ba. Sige. Andoon yata ang logbook ninyo." I walked into the other room (the Corps office) and saw a line inside. It was about 1500H, so there are less cadets going to the ROTC area to log in.

There was a cadet officer inside, and I don't know his (male) rank or class (anyway, I have had no idea of the concept of the class). He dictated if a person who's next to log in could take his seat.

If he said, "Take seat," the COC has to say, "Sir, Good afternoon, Sir!" or what is appropriate.

Due to the length of the set of instructions (I learned later when I would write my logbook for my own unit that it is always this way for the first training day), each cadet took about 10 minutes reading and understanding (lest the possibility of being punished the very next moment, I understood later), and about 15 minutes to copy the things that needed to be copied. They are basically the training director's or COCC Tactical officer's message, anthologies to memorize (the basic first anthologies were Duty, Honor and Country; Don't Quit, If and Invictus); training day instructions; SOPs; and enrollment instructions for those who might not have properly completed the enlistment procedures.

There were instructions for COCs to go to the Corps office to clean the area once a week. It was suggested that the COCs go to the area in batches so that they could clean the area easier. The rationale was not given in the logbook, but for me, it was just like Karate Kid's chores; it has a reason (I learned that they had, later).

After my turn (I was the last), I decided to take my turn in cleaning the area. Not knowing what I could do (I was in a military area, I thought), I just got the broom and the dust pan from the area called the "log area," which served both as a library and as an area for the cleaning materials such as brooms, dust pans, rags, floor wax, etc. I started sweeping the floor because I do not want to mess with the cadet officers' tables (there were two, as I remember: the Corps Commander' table and the Staff table).

Cinnamon saw me sweeping the floor, so she asked me to clean her area as well. Not knowing better, I obeyed.

I was not under the proper knowledge that I was not supposed to do that. The building's utility personnel was the one supposed to clean the DMST area, and not COs nor COCs. A cadet officer saw me doing that, so he called me to stop doing it.

Cinnamon countered the call, so I was confused whom to obey. The quiet behavior of the upperclass cadet officer gave me the clue whom to obey. I walked into the room of the cadet officer.

The cadet officer explained to me that I should not obey Cinnamon. She was just a clerk. COs nor COCs do not need to obey her, because she has no command authority nor function that requires that we obey her. In my mind, I thought, Thank God! That imbecile-behaving creature is killing me! I obeyed immediately. The cadet officer also explained to me that we should obey only cadet officers.

This set the idea of who cadet officers are in the Department, and in the University.

The next time she called me, I told her that I am not supposed to obey her.

And I learned a bit more of the organization that is the Corps of Officers.

Log In: Cinnamon

2005-05-23T13:36:00.000-07:00

The training day does not start on Sunday, but starts, for cadets, on Wednesday afternoon. By 1300H of Wednesday, the logbooks are released for the units to log in. In the logbooks, the instructions are provided for the cadets to prepare for the upcoming training day.

A typical training day instruction has the following entries:

Commander's or training officer's message
Training place and time
Uniform specifics or type
Unit-specific instructions
For Cadet Officer Candidates, a list of anthologies which should be memorized by Sunday's training day.

After the instructions, the cadet has to give a message that the message has been read and would be complied with.

A typical log-in entry is like this:

To: COCC Training Director
From: COC [Surname]

Sir, I have received your message and I am willing to comply, Sir.

NAME MI SURNAME

CPvt 4Cl

COCC

* * *

But before you get to the logbook, you have to go to Corps Office, because the COCC logbook is inside the Corps office. Unlike the regular units, COCC training is distinctly separated. They are not made known to other cadets so that other fraternities would not target them - for either physical harm or recruitment. For this reason, COC identity is classified.

This high privilege has its equivalent burden.

Like meeting this psycho we codenamed "Cinnamon".

Entering the Portal and the First Push-Ups

2005-05-22T12:11:00.000-07:00

My first push-ups did not happen in the first training day. It happened during my enlistment.

* * *

The enrollment procedure in UP Manila is such that, all your academic and PE subjects would be enlisted in the Form 5, while the ROTC enlistment would be a dirty mark on your paper. As a process, this would mean that you would easily get through your academic subjects, but you have to go to the far-flung ROTC headquarters to finish your enrollment for the first semester for the freshmen.

Before I go to the Office of Student Affairs for special assessment (I was under STFAP bracket 4), I have to go to ROTC to enlist. By the word enlist, students get that wrong notion that you just go there and enlist yourself in one of the units (I did not even have such a notion... I only thought of ROTC as a subject). I was one of those with the wrong notion.

At the entrance to the Sports Science and Wellness Center (a place I would soon call my home... but that is still a long time to come), stands a board with four short coupon bonds, each with numbered instructions on what you should do, what you are required to bring, and when they should be done.

There were instructions for Military Science 11, 12, 21 and 22.

Without knowledge of what "military science" is, I read all the instructions, including those for light duty, exempted, foreigners... all of them. I could feel from the other enlistees that this is indeed the most dreaded place in UP.

Even the security guard (a close friend of the cadet officers) is helping in building up the tension and fear of the unknown.

I saw the list of papers. A couple of ROTC forms, short and long coupon bonds, folders and envelopes... that should be easy enough. But the pictures. 2X2 and 1X1.

I have to find a Rush Photo developing place. I have to finish my enrollment today (wherever I got the idea that I had to finish my enrollment then, I have no idea).

* * *

I got my pictures and stuff, and braved the unknown (if that's an acceptable expression). The board covered the hall of the ROTC area, and only one person could go through. As stated in the instructions, you "stick to the wall" and always "move on the double". You "do not eyeball the cadet officers". Make sure all your materials are present when you meet the Station 1 officer.

It was the most fearsome experience. Getting out of the safety of the known world and into the dark place called the "Laguman ng Pagsasanay ng Pinunong Panlaan," the Tagalog of Reserve Officer Training Corps.

In here, we enlistees fear, anything could happen to us, and our parents would never know what would happen. Which was true in a way.

A lot of students went there with parents and all. That's when I thought first, "Why are they here with their parents? Isn't this college? We have to be able to stand up already."

I have to ignore that observation, somehow thinking in disgust how a man could behave. I walked on.

Or run.

I saw around less than ten students before me, in the ground floor, along the corridor, sticking to the wall.

I tried to remember the things thought in CAT-I. What were they? I screamed in my mind. What a worthless subject, I can't remember anything from that subject.

I remembered, in formation, a person at the back is supposed to look at the nape of the person in front. Hmmm. That's an idea.

The two hours of sticking to the wall and not rolling your eyeballs passed. Finally, I got through Station 1. I presented my enlistment materials, the lady (a sponsor, I learned) gave me the ROTC papers I have to fill up. Those were done in less than two minutes. A record breaker (in my life in the Corps, I constantly break my records... multiple times).

It was in Station 3 when you enter the room again (after leaving the previous station in a manner rigidly ROTC) to enlist finally in a unit. I was the fifth person to enter in line. The person who tried to get in.... well, he tried to get in, but he did not get in properly, so he was given 10 push-ups.

It was supposed to be just like that... wait for my turn to get in. In a matter of two hours, something so alien to me imediately got into my second nature (saying, "Sir, Cadet Private [State your surname], requesting permission to enter the room, Sir!" to enter and saying, "Sir, Cadet Private [State your surname], requesting permission to leave the room, Sir!").

Until the person in front of the line failed, and he has to make 10 push-ups, and a female cadet officer asked all enlistees, including me, to "sympathise". Is that what I remember it was?

It is.

I learned when the female cadet officer shouting "Times TWO, Times THREE!" I was on my hands after hearing three.

It was my first experience of physical exercise for ROTC. And the semester has not even begun yet.

I hate this, I thought.

* * *

Of course, I learned the meaning of that exercise when I became, not a cadet officer, but a member of the class Vibora 2001.

Entering The University

2005-05-18T08:22:00.000-07:00

Entering college, or more especially, the University of the Philippines was, according to my mother, an individual act... or something. It was no longer like high school, when you still had your classmates or groupmates. Your teacher would no longer give out lectures. In college, your teachers would give you a book or chapterS of a book, and then let the class discuss. Attendance is not very important - what is important is your performance in exams and papers.

That's what my mind was set on.

I do not have an exact concept or idea what UP really is. I only know that UP is THE premiere university in the country. Not just the premiere state university, but THE UNIVERSITY. All other universities or schools are simply the OTHERS.

I knew little about ROTC. I hardly learned anything from our CAT (Citizen's Army Training), how much would you expect from me?! I always tell people when asked later about me joining the Corps, the only thing I learned in CAT are tikas, pahinga and agap, ta.

These are my knowledge when I got in the University, before I enlisted for ROTC.

* * *

I enrolled alone, without my mother, unlike a lot of students my age. I learned - early on - that I was more than a year advanced for the generation of students. That is, I took my education earlier than I should. I started Grade 1 before I turned six years old. This, enrolling without any guardian, would turn my life into a whole new kind.

It started when I got to the SSWC. The Sports Science and Wellness Center.

The building of the Department of Physical Education. And the Reserve Officers' Training Corps.

The Meaning and Purpose of Being a Cadet Officer

2005-05-17T08:43:00.000-07:00

Who are We?

We are Vanguards
Leaders and scholars combined
We belong to a tough breed of men
Rugged, responsible
Dedicated and uncompromising.
We build leaders and men.
We are men who command action,
men on the go.
We aspire to excel in all lines of human endeavour.
We believe in three hallowed words:
Duty, Honor and Country.
And above all, we are officers
and gentlemen of the finest order.

========================

The above anthology summarizes what is a cadet officer's life, and humbly states the purpose of a person entering the Cadet Officer's Corps.

This would also guide readers on what to expect in this series, and hopefully, to understand the reasons a cadet officer in UP behaves.

The story begins tomorrow.