BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — National Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. advised the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Bagong SINAG” Class of 2024 to listen to their seniors on the field, regardless of rank or age, for cohesion and effectiveness of the unit.
“There is wisdom in seniority. Not rank seniority, but field seniority and experience in the field. Your corporals and your sergeants, your senior enlisted personnel will be the best sources of mentoring for you as you join them in the collective leadership of your units,” Teodoro told the class that graduated on May 18, and commissioned as new lieutenants and ensigns of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
He noted that several times, the after-battle reports indicated that teams led by freshly minted lieutenants were ambushed, causing deaths and casualties because these officers would not listen to more experienced enlisted personnel and would not follow troop leading procedures.
It is very important that the new graduates who will be deployed in the various areas of assignments, listen to their corporals, sergeants, and senior enlisted personnel who are the best sources of mentoring for them, he emphasized.
Teodoro stressed the significance of humility among the future military officers, and emphasized the value of listening to experienced non-commissioned officers in the field. He cautioned against complacency , and stressed on the critical role of leaders in ensuring the safety and effectiveness of their units.
The Defense Chief emphasized the evolving operating landscape of the AFP, stressing the importance of preparing for multi-threat scenarios and embracing technological advancements.
“I encourage you to take further educational opportunities in order to immerse yourself in the emergent and developing technologies, which may be necessary for our country to develop on its own since we cannot rely totally on any other country for our whole defense picture,” he said.
Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr.
He affirmed the commitment of the Department of National Defense to continuously forge partnerships with foreign institutions, to broaden educational opportunities for PMA cadets.
Teodoro led the awarding of outstanding cadets and units of the Cadet Corps – Armed Forces of the Philippines at the Fort Del Pilar in Baguio City on Friday, May 17, 2024.
Class valedictorian Cadet First Class Jeneth Elumba led the awardees of the “Bagong SINAG” or “Bagong Henerasyong Gagampanan ang Tama: Serbisyo, Integridad, at Nasyonalismo ang Aming Gabay” Class of 2024.
The class is composed of 278- 224 males and 54 females.- with 143 joining the Army, 62 to the Air Force, and 73 in the Navy. (JDP/RMC-PIA CAR)
