The Bounce Back of ROTC

By: Charlyn D. Barnachea

ROTC stands for Reserve Officer Training Corps. It's a college program offered at more than 1,000 colleges and universities across the United States that prepares young adults to become officers in the U.S. Military. ...

In today’s generation there is a Senior High School in the Philippines. President Rodrigo Duterte wants the mandatory Reserve Officers' Training Course back in the country's schools, this time for those in Grade 11 and 12. He said that the mandatory ROTC program will be applicable to both public and private schools.

The advantages are hopefully the extra two years give them time to know what they really want to become. Immediate work after high school, without needing an extra TESDA certificate or passing college requirements such as NSTP and board examinations. More job openings for work that previously required a two-year college course. An extra 2 years deprives a family of income in a society where the issue of poverty has not been addressed.

The disadvantages are the gap during the transition. Depending on how the change is made. Major disadvantage is that it's an additional two years to earn a degree. People work later, they earn money later. And in this country, where a lot of children support their family and parents, that's a major disadvantage.. The disadvantages of the K-12 program are the lack of classrooms and the bloating of the curriculum - you simply stretched the 10 years of the current curriculum to 12 years of curriculum - there is no improvement in content - and lack of teachers.

We do realize that there are many college graduates who are launched quite early in the employment game and they are often without jobs. But this all the more argues for the strategy that the employment problem must be resolved. K-12 graduates will only face the same problem.

In line with this I agree for the imposition of ROTC in Senior High School for the discipline of the students to enter college more mature on the next years/generation. ROTC develops personality and leadership skills that cadets may use to help them build successful civilian careers someday. Imbued with forthright moral values, the Corps dedicates itself to excellence and leadership aimed on nation-building and socio-civic welfare, through humanitarian assistance and ready response utilizing competencies learned intended for public service.