By Cyrus A. Natividad

Officer Cadets from PA Training Headquarters-Capas, Tarlac show discipline in a Silent Drill performed on July 2 at Central Philippine University’s Big Field.

The Class 52 contingent from the Philippine Army Training Headquarters in Camp O’Donnell, Capas, Tarlac was at Central Philippine University on Tuesday, July 2, 2019. The military contingent led by Col. Ariel Reyes belongs to the Officers Candidate Course Batch 2019, and was in CPU to promote the training for the graduating students of ROTC Cadets of 2019-2020.

A silent drill exhibition was performed by the visiting Philippine Army officers at the CPU Big Field to showcase their discipline and training.

Aerial view of the Officer Cadets in their cross formation at CPU’s Big Field.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines Officer Candidate School, a military school located at Camp O’Donnell, Capas, Tarlac, trains civilians and enlisted personnel holding a baccalaureate degree for one year for the officer candidate course (OCC) and for six months for the Officer Preparatory Course (OPC). The recruitment is based on a rigid selection process, according to Col. Reyes. Just about five percent of the 10,000 previous nationwide recruitment have passed the training, he added. “We go for qualified cadets who shall hurdle the training period, and be ready to serve the country,” he further explained.