Revival of the Corps: An Overview of the ROTC Community

Zyndy Dynne C. Aurelio

Janarose F. Mioten

Syrah May C. Sugata-on

Ayella Venizze D. Tan

A RESEARCH PAPER

Secondary Level

Submitted as a Requirement in English 10

Antique National School

June 2022

Dream Rose Malayo

English Adviser
 INTRODUCTION

Background

Established in 1912, the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) was made to enhance

the defense system of the country. In accordance with the National Defense Act of 1935

implemented by then President Manuel L. Quezon, ROTC was made mandatory in schools to fill

out the 400,000 men reserve force requirement by 1946 (ADROTH, 2009). ROTC is one of three

program components of the National Service Training Program (NSTP) which reinforces military

training and readiness for national defense. Particularly, the program is designed towards preparing

15 to 24-year-old youth to inculcate the values of patriotism, nationalism, and character

development (Raposas, 2016). During the British invasion of Manila in 1762, there was a

significant draft. With the passage of the National Service Training Program Act in 2001, ROTC

would become an optional program (Republic Act 9163). Currently the requirement to undergo

ROTC has loosened due to various reasons but most especially the said violence and violation of

human rights within the corps, voiced out by the story of UST ROTC member Mark Chua that

discouraged people involved in continuing this practice and sparking a “crisis” in the community.

These days the possibility of its return resurfaced following the results of the May 2022 elections

and the new vice president’s qualms to implement this curriculum. The foreshadowing statements

of Vice President-elect Sara Duterte on this case caused an uproar amongst students and veterans

in the field, leading to an endless argument on whether or not the return of mandatory ROTC

service is ethical.
Objectives

The main objective of this report is to provide an overview of the Reserve Officers’

Training Corps (ROTC) Community of which is tasked to train and develop college students in

the rudiments of military service in order to produce capable Armed Forces of the Philippines

reservists.

Specifically, this study will:

1.1 Determine the effectivity of ROTC training in preparing college students for possible

service in the defense establishment during the event of an emergency

1.2 Determine the assurance of completion in the training of officers and personnel for the

reserve components of the Armed Forces of the Philippines

1.3 Identify the significance in training potential officers for possible direct commission in

the AFP in line with the education system of the Philippines

Significance

ROTC is an effective method for fostering discipline and patriotism in young Filipinos.

The participants receive valuable instruction as well as financial assistance for their schooling.

They are encouraged to develop strong personal characteristics such as self-discipline, confidence,

and leadership. The program gives students the option to become career officers or return to

civilian life after gaining essential skills and knowledge through active-duty service. The

experience also makes better-informed citizens with an intimate understanding of the military's

inner workings (Committees, n.d.). The ROTC program may go a long way toward fixing the

country's issues, from the nightmare drug threat to the horrific traffic jams exacerbated by

disobedient motorists and pedestrians. The proposal to revive mandatory ROTC comes at a time

when the vast majority of Filipinos are concerned about Chinese incursions in the West Philippine

Sea. Along with the sense of discipline and patriotism that comes from active participation in

ROTC is the willingness to perform the ultimate obligation of protecting the Philippines against

foreign attack, given that defense of the state is everyone's duty. (Manila Bulletin, November 2018)

The significance of the study aims to determine whether or not the processes and

requirements in undergoing ROTC training are necessary to be implemented as a mandatory

curriculum in current times.

Review of Related Literature

The value of mandatory ROTC in senior high school students has been the subject of

ongoing debate, according to Corbett and Coumble (2001). Proponents argue that the program

improves participants' cognitive and noncognitive skills. President George H. Bush defined

ROTC as a program that enhances high school graduation rates, decreases drug use, and

enhances self-esteem.

Those educational initiatives that aid in the transition from school to employment are

those that contain elements comparable to ROTC. These include school-to-work career

academies with funding. (STW) programs-reforms and federal initiatives that emphasize both

academic and vocational curricula and establish formal connections with employers.

Inconclusive evidence exists regarding the effectiveness of these educational initiatives (Kemple,

2008).

According to Long (2003), the end of World War II ushered in a national recognition for

future preparedness, which led to two significant growth periods for ROTC. The initial period of

expansion began in the early 1960s. Former Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara argued that

ROTC did not produce officers and made no direct contribution to the military. His position was

to eliminate funding for the program and to transfer existing units to the National Defense Cadet

Corps (NDCC), a program that was fully funded by the participating school. One study examined

the nation's top JROTC units.

 BIBLIOGRAPHY

ADROTH. (2009). Military Education in the Philippines.

Retrieved from http://adroth.ph/ateneo/history/ROTC_Philippines.htm

Card, Josefina. (2016, March 3). Differences in the demographic and socio-psychological profile

of ROTC vs Non-ROTC students. Retrieved from:

https://jewlscholar.mtsu.edu/bitstream/handle/mtsu/4565/Buntin_mtsu_0170N_10448.pd

?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

Committees. (n.d). Final Report of the ROTC Task Force: The Importance of ROTC at MIT.

Retrieved from http://web.mit.edu/committees/rotc/final3-5.html

Corbet, C., Coumble, T. (2001, February 11). Why mandatory ROTC is needed again.

Retrieved from https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1061593

Kemple, Robert. (2008, July 18). Developing Leaders through High School Junior ROTC:

Integrating Theory and Practice.

Retrieved from https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/107179190200800404

Long, L. (2003, November 23). The History and Impact of Army ROTC at Sunny College at

Brookport. Retrieved from:

https://digitalcommons.brockport.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1022&context=student

_archpapers

Manila Bulletin. (2018, November 27). ROTC has immense benefits for the youth.

Retrieved from https://mb.com.ph/2018/11/27/rotc-has-immense-benefits-for-the-youth/

Patag, K. (2019, May 20). House OKs bill making ROTC mandatory for Grade 11, 12 students.

Retrieved from https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/05/20/1919445/house-oks-bill-

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