UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES RESERVE OFFICERS' TRAINING CORPS
Running in cadence and chanting out loud, the three companies dash around the Academic oval and the DMST quadrangle.
DRILL AND CEREMONIES
Teamwork and cooperation is important for the Rayadillo cadets. Under the excruciating heat of the sun, the cadets formed into a model unit marching snappily for every command of their platoon leader. Each step and sway of arms is the same. Following the ABCDs of marching (Alignment, Bearing, Cadence and Distance), every movement defines what a Raya cadet should be.
For the next phase, each cadet held his own rifle. The weight of the rifles seems like a piece of cake for the Raya cadets. The ABCDs are well maintained and the execution remains to be snappy. The sun gets hotter and hotter but the cadets are just warming up for more.
WEAPONS and MARKSMANSHIP
Cadets were eager to improve themselves as the army dozen exercises were introduced. Together with the weekly runs, jogs and other exercises, the physical training started to be more demanding to cope up with the activities that they will face.
The lecture part of the training started with the introduction of weapons and their specifications by C2Lt Jomari Austria 3Cl. As Ranger cadets, they should be familiar with weapons. Next, the cadets had their marksmanship practicals at the firing range. Following the rules of gun safety and executing the marksmanship principles, each cadet aim for the center shot of the target sheet. As training for discipline, cadets should listen to the range commander, C2Lt Saul Isaiah Adap 3Cl. Going back to their lecture room, the Combat Plans and Orders was taught to them by their company commander, C1Lt Ronalyn Panlaqui 2Cl.
MEDICAL OPERATIONS
Physical training is also a priority for the rescue cadets. They need to develop strength in emergency cases of moving a victim to a safer place. Rescue Transportation and Procedure are taught to the cadets. But the training doesn’t end with a lecture. The cadets picked their own buddies and carry them properly following the procedures of individual carries that were taught to them. Moving forward to two-man carries and to make the practicals a bit more challenging, C1Lt Roseanne D Realubin 2Cl instructed the cadets to carry the heaviest among their subgroups. Carrying a victim heavier than you entails a lot of physical training. To add another twist, the heaviest in the company was instructed to act like a victim for the three other cadets to carry him.
The next part features the lecture for life-threatening situations and triage. The cadets were trained to diagnose victims assuming a large mass casualty. Tagging the victims with colors that correspond to priorities, the cadets were able to attend to most of the victims.
