CEBU, Philippines - Those who want to be soldiers, but may not have the ideal height to become one now have the chance to have their dream fulfilled.
Joy Dela Peña, member of the speakers’ bureau of the 3rd Civil Relations Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, told The Freeman the AFP has reduced the height requirement for those applying for the Philippine Army.
The required height of 5’4 for men and 5’2 for women has been reduced to 5’0 for both genders.
Dela Peña said the decision stemmed from previous experiences wherein, despite passing the entrance examination, many applicants fail to eventually get in because they fall short of the height requirement.
“Daghan man sa mga applicants ang mangreklamo nga nakapasar na unta sila sa entrance exam unya tungod lang sa gi-require nga height, dili sila makasulod,” she said.
Lt. Col. Oscar Lasangue, Group Commander of the 3rd CVR, said they received the directive from no less than their national headquarters in Manila.
The Philippine Army Mobile Testing Teams, a special unit under the PA, will hold the entrance examination in the Visayas on February 7 at the 53rd Engineering Brigade at the Central Command in barangay Apas.
Applicants must be between 18 to 22 years old, must be single, must not be supporting a child, and must be at least high school graduate. Special skills training like those acquired from the Technical Education and Skills Development or 72 units in college are advantageous.
Dela Peña, however, clarified it is not necessary that an applicant has acquired the skills from formal trainings, as long as he/she possesses the skills like driving, computer literacy, and carpentry, among others.
Applicants are also required to bring their birth certificate and valid identification cards.
Those who have acquired units in college are required to bring their Transcript of Record or certification from the school register signifying that they have attained 72 units from the school.
On Friday, the examination will be held at the headquarters of the 802nd Brigade in barangay Katipunan, Carmen, Bohol while a separate exam will be held on February 8 at the headquarters of the 8th Regional Community Defense Group in Ormoc City, Leyte.
On February 10, an examination will be conducted at the headquarters of the 8th Infantry Division in Catbalogan, Samar and on February 12 at the Leyte Colleges in Tacloban City, Leyte.
Dela Peña said examinations have been conducted last January 21 to 29 in the different military headquarters in Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental.
Master Sgt. Rita Venus Grafe, Chief Clerk for Operations of the Army Recruitment Center, said they will assist the PA Army Mobile Testing Teams in the conduct of the examinations.
The PA Army Mobile Testing Team is being led by Lt. Col. Lenart Lelina, Chief of the Procurement and Attrition Branch of the Army Personnel Management Center, PA.
Grafe said no limit has been set on the number of applicants, as well as the number of those that would be eventually accepted. The Philippine Army reportedly needs over at least 1000 applicants for the first quarter. Last year, around 6,000 were recruited into the ranks.
Those interested to take the entrance exam are advised to visit the Army Recruitment Center at the CentCom headquarters or inquire through phone at (032) 2315157. Results of the exam are known a few hours after the exam is taken. — Niña G. Sumacot/JMO (FREEMAN NEWS)