Military training is a part of the Philippines' educational system by Isko Pineda

High School: CAT (Citizens Army Training)/( Citizens Advancement Training)

There is no compulsory military service, or draft, in the Philippines. In a country where 80% of the
population lives in poverty and where even university graduates can hardly find a decent job, there is no
shortage of people lining up for work in the military. As they say, you have a chance of coming out alive in a
battlefield but not with hunger. There is also a general perception among the people that joining the military
is the quickest way to get rich. Corruption is a way of life in the Philippine military but that might be the rule
with other military system everywhere.

If there is no compulsory military service, there is however compulsory military education.

Introduction to the military comes early in the life of most Filipinos formal education. It starts once you enter
fourth year high school. If you count boy and girl scouting, then it starts early in grade school. Boy and girl
scouting is an extra-curricular activity in schools until third year high school from eight to fiftheen years
old.

CAT (Citizen Army Training) is a course that is part of the fourth year high school curriculum. As with
any course, the students receive marks for their performance. Like the academic requirements, they can
either fail or pass. It is compulsory for all fourth year students, girls as well as boys. Those with visible
physical disabilities and those recommended by medical doctors as unfit for the training for health reasons
are exempted from the physical training, but not from the course. They are assigned administrative and
household tasks to perform, i.e. checking of attendance, cleaning, etc.

You cannot seek exemption from military training at school on the grounds that you are gay nor for
religious reasons. Matter of fact, those who are openly gay attending the training are made the objects of
jokes and pranks and treated like fools. The rich can always use their money and influence to get their kids
out of military training. The rich, however, would more often enrol their kids in exclusive Catholic schools
where the kids do not have a choice but to undertake the training.

For four hours each week for the whole school year, the students, aged 15-16, undergo rigorous
training. Students in military uniforms doing military drills and exercises are a normal sight on campuses.
The students are also given lectures on the operations of the Philippine military system. The whole set-up is
organized and functions like a military unit . You have the battalion which is composed of several companies
and the companies composed of several platoons. Each unit has a student officer. Decisions are made
through a chain of command under the supervision of the commandant. In big schools, the commandants
are usually military personnel but in small schools the task is usually assigned to a male teacher. Because
of the power and prestige that goes with being an officer, there is no lack of fourth year students who are
willing to give up their school break to train for four hours each day from Mondayto Friday for two months to
prepare them for the job.

The training is no different to training given to actual soldiers. In large schools, they are even taught to
handle real guns. It is wooden guns for smaller schools. The trainees are ranked by their performance. The
student who performs the best based on the judgment of the trainers, often military personnel, are assigned
the highest post (Corp Commander). Girls who go through the training do not of course make it to the top no
matter how good they are.

Army training is much more rigorous in government schools than in private schools. This is because
government schools have to compete with each other in what they call the tactical inspection. For private
schools the tactical inspection is optional.
 The tactical inspection judges the schools according to how well their students know the Philippines
military organization. This is determined by the students performance in the:

a. individual interviews conducted by representatives of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP);
b. written examinations prepared by the AFP itself;
c. participation of the school in community activities; and military drills and exercise.

Schools consider it a big prestige to make it to the top of the tactical inspection competition. This is
akin to being adjudged a school of academic excellence.

In spite of its claim to help instill among the students positive values of citizenship, like self-
discipline, leadership, positive competition, community service, etc., a closer look at the CAT reveals its true
agenda. It is actually a military recruitment machine designed to lure the best students to decide for a
military career. Fourth year high school is the most crucial time in every Filipino students education. This is
the time when they have to decide which career path to pursue. Give the students a taste of the military, its
power and its prestige, then bombard them with propaganda about a military in the service of democracy,
and you have a recruit.

College/University: CMT (Citizen Military Training)

The CMT is the college counterpart of the CAT and is organized in exactly the same way or even
more sophisticated. It used to be called the ROTC (Reserved Officers Training Corp) patterned after the US
ROTC. Like the CAT, the CMT is a required course for every college curriculum but limited this time only to
male students. The course is given one day each weekend for the first two years in the university. Students
wearing the required combat shoes, fatigue uniform complete with badges and insignia, cap, and carrying
wooden rifles, undergo a whole day of rigorous training from seven oclock in the morning until five oclock
in the afternoon under the intense heat of the sun. As in high school, training is mainly on military drill and
exercises.

No student can graduate unless he completes the required four units of military training. Many
students who have completed the academic requirements of their chosen subject fail to get their
degree/diploma because they have not finished the required military training units.

Many students consider becoming an officer in order to enjoy discounts in their tuition fees. First
year students aspiring to become officers have to undergo two months preparatory training during the
school break, so that as they enter their second year, they are already officers. Those who do not want to
become officers dont need to undergo the preparatory training but they still have to complete the required
four units.

From my own experience, CMT is the most unpopular activity at the university. In all my university
days, I never came across anyone who spoke well of it. Many tried to find ways to totally avoid it. Many
faked illness by submitting fake medical certificates, but because that does not totally excuse someone from
the training course, others resorted to bribing student officers to get out. The officers just keep on checking
their attendance without them physically being there. Since most of the officers are themselves paying for
their subsistence during their time at the university, they are almost willing accomplices. Those who cannot
afford to pay the bribe or who do not have the connections to secure medical certificates have no choice but
to go through the entire training course.
Supervision of the CMT is directly under the military. Depending on the agreement with the university, CMT
may be supervised by either the Air Force, the Marines, or the Navy.

Similar to the CAT, colleges and universities compete at the end of the school year in the tactical
competition. The competition, however, is much more sophisticated at this level, as it often includes mock
combat drills. Again, the university which comes top in the set criteria wins the competition.

CMT is an attempt of the military to bring in those who are against the military.
Judging from the way it is received by the students; however, it is not working. Except for those taking up
criminology courses leading them to a police career, most other people try to get away from it as much as
possible.

There is a citizens movement that wants the military completely out of the schools and their
numbers are growing. Consider it a step towards a society where the military is irrelevant.

Transcript of CITIZENSHIP ADVANCEMENT TRAINING

Training is done under the supervision of the Army Reserve Command
(ARESCOM)-Philippine Army National Capital Region. A graduation
requirement for all seniors, optional for aspiring CAT officers for freshmen
up to junior high school students.

Citizenship Advancement Training (CAT) in Notre Dame of Greater Manila

ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL DEFENSE
What is CAT?
TITLE III, MILITARY SERVICE, ARTICLE I Obligation to Serve and Length of Service,
Section 51. "
All Filipinos are liable to military service.

OBJECTIVES OF THE CAT PROGRAM

To enhance the students social responsibility and commitment to the development of
their communities;
To develop the ability to uphold the law and order as they assume active participation
in the community activities; and
To teach readiness in assisting the members of the community especially in times of
emergency
MILITARY ORIENTATION
It deals with the introduction and exposure of the learner to basic knowledge,
unfamiliar situations and experiences as well as activities related to military
COMMUNITY SERVICE
It refers to any activity that helps achieve the general welfare and the betterment of
life of the members of the community.
The Program is a requirement for graduation for all fourth year high school students in
both public and private secondary schools.
It is defined in
DepEd Order No. 35 s. 2003 and
DepEd Order No. 50 s. 2005
as a restructuring of the
Citizen Army Training.

THE DEMERIT SYSTEM

Each cadet shall be given 25 points as merits at the beginning of every quarter. For
every infraction of regulations, she/he shall be penalized by demerits. Additional
merits may be awarded.
Class C (5-4 Demerits)
Class B (10-6 Demerits)
Class A (30-10 Demerits)
Gross disrespect of superior officers
Abuse of authority
Unexcused absence
Destruction of school property
Cheating during examinations
Violation of standing instructions
Long hair and mustache (for cadets)
Points the rifle at any person
Rumor mongering
Making boisterous remarks while in ranks
Sleeping in classroom while instruction is being conducted
Tardiness in formation
Unkempt hair
Major Misdemeanors
Grave Misdemeanors
Less Grave Misdemeanors
Slouching in ranks
Rolling up of sleeves
Spitting in ranks
Does any act detrimental to discipline while in ranks (howling shouting, etc.)
Chewing of gums or candies while in ranks
Carelessly laying aside the rifle
Wearing of dirty uniform
Commits any act similar in nature as the offenses mentioned
Class d (3-1 demerits)
Minor Misdemeanors and Omission
Un-tucked T-shirt
Not using of hairnet for cadettes
Unpolished brass articles
Dirty face
Not bringing of handouts
Malingering
Wearing of uniform other than the one prescribed
Falling out from ranks without permission
Lazily dragging the rifle
Commits any act similar in nature to the above offenses.
Basic Expectations from cadets
Wear your proper uniform.
Observe proper grooming and bearing.
Be cordial to your officers.
Observe silence inside the lecture room
Listen and participate attentively to the instructor.
Should you have any inquiries about CAT, consult your officers or the CAT
Commandant
Observe regular attendance and punctuality.
Obey all orders given by your officers.
Always move in Double Time.
THANK YOU