“Nahirang Class” visits 1st Infantry division, 1st Cavalry Squadron

By Gideon C. Corgue

LABANGAN, Zamboanga del Sur – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)future officers made their first visit to the 1^st Cavalry (Tagapanguna) Squadron, Mechanized Infantry Division at its headquarters inCamp Colonel JacoboE. Zobel, Pulacan, Labanganon October 2-6.

The Officers Candidate Course (OCC) “Nahirang Class 45-2015”  composed of 58 soldiers (51 male and 7 female) led by LtCol. Robert Beatisula, assistant commandant of the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Camp O’Donnelin Capas, Tarlac visited the unit as part of their educational tour and exposure before their graduation on December 9, this year.

Earlier, the group made their visit to the headquarters of the 1^st Infantry (Tabak) Division, Philippine Army and 1^st Field Artillery Battalion, respectively prior to their visit to the 1^st Cavalry Squadron.

In an interview, Beatisula said the TRADOC has chosen the unit as one of the places to be visited for them to learn the skills and capabilities of the armor personnel and to obtain a better understanding of the real situation on the ground.

Accordingly, they already had their exposure in the different Philippine Army units, namely: the Special Operations Command and Special Forces Regiment (Airborne) inFort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija;  FirstScout Ranger Regiment, San Miguel, Bulacan; Western Mindanao Command, Zamboanga City; and 104^th Brigade, Basilan City.

Meanwhile, 1^st Cavalry Squadron commanding officer LtCol.Charlemagne F. Batayola, Jr. said the officers demonstrated tactical decision games, squad qualifications skills, conducted static display of weapons and provided them the opportunity to experience riding Simba fighting vehicles. 

“They were also taught how to disassemble and reassemble rifles,” Batayola added.

Batayolasaid the OCC “Nahirang Class 45-2015” also conducted information drive and silent drill exhibition at the Western Mindanao State University- External Studies Unit (WMSU-ESU), Zamboanga del Sur National High School, Pagadian City to promote the school and to encourage poor but deserving students to take up the OCCto become young and aspiring officers like them in the future.

Batayola mentionedthat the 1^st Cavalry Squadron has 2 officers who are graduates  of OCC.

“I am referring to Capt. Donny Val Gamao, intelligence officer and Capt. Jonathan Escandor, operations officer who are performing their job competently and efficiently,” Batayola proudly said.

He said graduates of this school are commissioned as Second Lieutenants and Ensigns in the AFP Regular and Reserve Forces by the President of the Philippines who is also the Commander-In-Chief of the AFP.