A hard choice for a profession

Maj. Gen. Edgard A. Arevalo (Ret.)

MEN are not created equal, no matter how much we champion equality. Because human beings are inherently unique in many ways, they are destined to be different. And so are their choices of what each wanted to become. Toward the fulfillment of an oath, men and women are to trail different paths to save lives, defend the accused in a court of law, care for the needy, provide maternal care, educate minds, and build, among many other lofty aspirations of every profession.

But not too many take the path less traveled because it takes a great toll on their freedom, which, to many, is too difficult and precious to give up. But “[m]en who adopt the profession of arms submit their own free will to a law of perpetual constraint of their own accord. They reject their rights to live where they choose, to say what they think, to dress as they like. From the moment they become soldiers, it needs but an order to settle them in this place, to move them to that, to separate from them their families and to dislocate their normal lives… They have ceased to be the masters of their fate.” These are the very words attributed to French general and statesman Charles the Gaulle, which I have, as most military men and women do, memorized by heart as the true essence and meaning of “military professionalism.”

Not some walk in the park

This is the life men and women of tender age are to embrace when they choose to line up for cadetship at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) or join the Officer Candidate School or enroll in the Reserve Officer Training Corps or sign up for enlistment as candidate soldiers in the Philippine Navy, Philippine Marine Corps, Philippine Air Force and Philippine Army. This is the kind of existence they are to lead until they retire from active military service after having dutifully and honorably served for at least 20 years or, at most, until the compulsory retirement age of 57 — or somewhere in between if one happens to cross to the Great Beyond in the line of duty. And while their counterparts out of school, in universities and in other professions invoke their constitutional liberties, such as freedom of speech, of expression, of the press, of association, or to peaceably assemble and petition government and redress grievances, and enjoy the rights to travel and for abode, those who chose the path to soldiery surrender theirs willingly.

The privileged 1,243 (who will compose the PMA Class of 2028, according to the PMA’s “Face-Bok” account) from among the 21,655 who completed the limited physical and written examinations, from more than 40,000 aspirants who took the 2023 entrance examination, will undertake the best military education and training the AFP can provide. Shortly after taking their oath, they will undertake a battery of indoctrinations in the Cadet Leadership Development System, Cadet Corps Armed Forces of the Philippines (CCAFP) Regulations, Rules of the Academic Group, Social Graces, and the first among equally important training tools — the Honor Code and the Honor System (HC&HS). The latter is a facet of officer training that sets the Academy apart from all other schools in the land.

Understanding a unique culture

Many institutions have quite successfully copied the uniform and paraphernalia and most customs and traditions of the CCAFP but one — the HC&HS.

Everyone who passed through the PMA’s hallowed grounds for four years or so has zealously guarded against frivolity and has lived their lives faithfully with the tenets of the code — or be separated dishonorably from the Academy for violating it. For a very long time, the HC&HS has been a “gentleman’s agreement” among the cadets, administered by the cadets, and hence binding on all cadets. “A cadet does not lie, cheat, or steal or tolerate among us those who do,” is the firm command of the Honor Code. And in case of doubt, the simple test to determine whether an act is honorable is to be able to answer “no” to two basic questions: “Do I intend to deceive?” and “Do I intend to take undue advantage?”

It was a cherished experience to live in a society where, despite the rigors, one’s words were their badges of honor, where their statements are taken at face value, where quibbling is lying. It’s an enviable opportunity to have thrived in a community where one’s signature is a serious affirmation of what was stated above it, that cadets are deducted corresponding grade points for every help they acknowledge to have received from fellow cadets such that what remains to be graded are their own personal efforts; of having to report oneself for infractions of the code or violations of regulations (in case of guards who attests to have reported all violations that have come to their attention) even if no one else saw the commission or omission of the offense.

Knowing the expectations

There are many regulations governing the highly regimented life of a PMA cadet. Aside from those already mentioned, every member of the CCAFP is covered by the Articles of War, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, the Revised Penal Code, and the Philippine Constitution. Yet, the HC&HS is considered the bedrock of the education and training of every PMA graduate who calls themselves Cavaliers. It is the brand of service with a deep sense of “Courage, Integrity and Loyalty” (PMA’s motto) that Cavaliers bequeath to the AFP, the Filipino taxpayers and the nation.

These exacting standards to conform, meet steep academic requirements and pass demanding physical and psychological tests breathe life into the truism that, indeed, “There are many ways to get out of the Academy, the hardest being graduation.” While graduating with a PMA Class and wearing a “bullring” — the PMA’s college graduation ring — brings a sense of pride, it also comes with a great deal of expectation from the Filipino people. Not only because, then-senator Ralph Recto said in 2019, each PMA graduate costs some P2.98 million in taxpayers’ money, including salaries and remunerations for their teachers, training staff and facilities, but because of the character built in four years of quality moral, mental, physical and psychological education and training each Cavalier received.

The role of PMA Cavaliers in the realm of fast and constantly evolving security and socio-economic situation comes out next Sunday.

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