ONE WITH THE PEOPLE. All year around, the Army soldiers ensure that every citizen lives a normal and peaceful life. Even in festivities, the soldiers' presence is felt, thus making people feel safe and secure.
PEACE BEGINS WITH A SMILE. Army soldiers reach out even to the farthest and remotest villages, securing people's livelihood and ensuring unhampered development, in order for people to live decent lives.
BELIEVERS IN THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF EDUCATION. Informing the young people of their role in nation-building through different activities like the Youth Leadership Summit (YLS) and "Ugnayan as Paaralan", the Philippine Army is well-aware of the vital role of today's youth and the academe that educates them.
HEEDING THE CALL OF THE TIMES. Army soldiers are the first to respond in times of calamities and disasters - be it natural or man-made. They are always ready to risk their lives and limb for the sake of their countrymen.
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM. They may not share the same religious beliefs, but Army soldiers always work as one with respect for one another - all for the glory of the country and the Divine Providence.
HELPING ENSURE A SAFE YULETIDE SEASON. The Army soldiers are one with the Filipino people in celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ while working tirelessly to provide a safe and secure environment.
“If all other else miss, we don’t”. We are the Squad Designated Marksman Class 01-09, trained and honed for the purpose of hitting our enemies at certain distance specified to us, and with a miss regarded as a mortal sin. For every bullet counts, every bullet driven from our barrels are bits of taxes laid by the Filipino people. Thus, we, as protectors of the people and state must not waste this support given and must suffice them of what they deserve. We can only satisfy them and extinguish their doubts through proper trainings and exercises, like the Squad Designated Marksmanship Training that was introduce in the Philippine Army in year 2004. During those old days, as we have heard and also confirmed, every rifleman were only trained to fire precisely at 25 meters and those specialized in the squad can fire up to 250 meters. It does not make sense. First, our rifles exceed our firing limits. A standard 5.56 M16A1 U.S. rifle has a maximum effective range of 460 meters. When we said of effective range, it is the distance where a gun can shot its target precisely and a shooter can call his shot, with proper adjustments in the gun itself, neglecting outside forces. If you want to hit the head you can hit it, if it is his chest, so be it. A standard 7.62 M14 U.S. rifle has a maximum effective range of 750 meters. So why not extend our firing capabilities? Secondly, Let us consider human eyesight. At 500 meters, a human eye can still catch the image of a whole body picture. With this great partnership of reasoning, we can therefore have training akin to a sniper, the SDM training.
The SDM or Squad Designated Marksman supports the squad by laying down accurate rapid fire at distances beyond the normal engagement range of the Squad's Rifleman. The average Rifleman is trained to engage targets up to 300 meters away. A sniper engages targets beyond 600m while the SDM is trained to engage targets in "No Man's Land," the area between the capabilities of the two. Although the SDM receives much of the same training, he is not a sniper. The SDM is a rifleman and deploys as a member of a Squad. He maneuvers and engages with his Squad and never operates alone. To qualify to become a Squad Designated Marksman, you must score at least 36 or higher during Basic Rifle Marksmanship training. In the Philippine Army, the SDM must accurate and precisely shot a target with maximum distance of 300 meters, and still able to shot an average man-sized target up to 500 meters in order to support the Infantry, specifically, the squad. He is armed with a DMR or Designated Marksman Rifle. A DMR is an assault rifle with scope. On July 10, 2009, the 9th Division Training Unit had opened an SDM course with 21 enlisted personnel and 3 officers. These 21 enlisted personnel had emerged from different battalions of 9ID, PA which had taken first of somewhat we can call “entrance” examinations, which was expected to be so easy for them since they were supposed to be the best infantry Rifleman in the battalion. The 3 officers, newly-reported 2nd lieutenants, were taken from the newly graduated Platoon Leaders Course Class 09-01, and they were regarded as “Top Gun “of the class. When everything’s were set and students were able to receive their “reception rites”, it was the beginning of a new journey to excellence and perseverance in the road of marksmanship.
It all started with 24 naïve, regular infantrymen. Maj Harold Cabunoc, our course director, had adopted the holistic approach in the methodology of the course. First days were quite dehydrating and exhausting, with full of dry shoots and physical exercises in order to acclimatize the students in real-time scenarios of combat, with the role as a squad sniper. Basics of marksmanship were taught then harnessed after a while inculcated with frequent, sometimes forceful, repetitions of marksmanship drills. It went well, where as time rolls every individual is building his confidence and focus on the training, mediocrity fades. We also created an intimate relationship with our rifle, for every firing position, our rifle must be the extension of our body, and every tiny shock created due to imprudence and carelessness which will affect the sights will lead to an erroneous shot absolutely. Because an SDM receives much of a training of a sniper, the principles used in the training were sniper’s: marksmanship, fieldcraft and tactics. For marksmanship, every student was forged to meet the level of a sharpshooter. This was done through relentless execution of dry shoots, “coin in the barrel” firing, recoil simulation, up to ball and dummy firing then evaluation through live and recorded firing. When satisfying level was reached, we have come to moving targets. So, students had engaged moving targets at ranges 50, 100 to 200 meters, adopting different techniques. Since we will be dealing with scopes, then, we also had studied elevation, windage, and parallax or power knob adjustments in relation to minute of angles, come-ups, area elevation and wind consideration. In order to satisfy the standard of an SDM, we had fired metal plates in ranges 100, 200 and 300 meters, and fired man-sized, figure 11 targets in distances up to 500 meters. For fieldcraft, we had studied the environment and terrain. Camouflaging was then introduced. Were you able to hide? Were you able to blend? Were you able to deceive? If you answered yes to all these three questions, then you were able to camouflage. It is very important for an SDM to camouflage in order to employ security and execute mission with surprise.After then the SDM student were taught about map reading and land navigation. How will you fire if you can’t find the enemy nor reached the firing distance from your target? Series of drills were then done until they had mastered to navigate the possible “enemy’s land”. In lieu also of fieldcraft, we had studied distance estimation and effects of wind. Since in real-time scenarios, laser range finders, windspeed calculators and high-tech gadgets for angle depression calculation are not used because, basically, we can’t afford it; then, estimating distances, windspeed and angle depression with the help of some techniques and a functioning wit is what we had also mastered through practical live firing exercises. As for tactics, basic infantry knowledge was reviewed like individual and squad movement formation and techniques, patrols, patrol base operations, close-quarter combat techniques and drills, reconnaissance and surveillance, radio communication, call for fire support and creation of hides. These drills are nostalgic. It had again reminds us of our “rotting” days in the school and in the academy, for memories are the only ones that does not change even if all other else does, and these are very advantageous in our part because we use them in the fields and in the boondocks. The most exciting of them is building the hides, for we perform the adult variation of “hide-and-seek”, where we dug the earth for cover and concealment and applying our greatest art of camouflaging, with the purpose of reconnaissance and surveillance. What’s very unpopular in our training is the insertion of rigid physical exercises while we work on our daily marksmanship routine. Day and night, we perform conditioning drills. Those were reinforced by weights of the racksacks, equipment runs, physical fitness test, and sunbaths. Lots of sweat drops off the floors and earth of the old DTU area. In those times, all kinds of curses came out. More fatuous comments and reasoning had been spoken. Demoralizing emotions can be perceived. But then most us had felt the challenge and sense of adventurism, had endured most of life’s mightiest struggles, had extended our limits, had counted one day at a time and had felt blessed for the training we had acquired and further furnished. We had come up to our senses that the real-time scenarios of combat is strenuous and tiring, and that we must still be able to hit our enemies even if we had almost drop our tracks. All these went through until, unexpectedly, graduation came.
The SDM training had dramatically changed our lives. Most of the enlisted personnel had build confidence among them and carried a sense of pride for the knowledge they had acquired. Some of them had known their true limits.Others had discovered their hidden talents. All of us had realized that with small amount of cartridges we can still overrun and overwhelm our enemies. For no further operation can develop greater threat and psychological anxiety to the enemy but through long range operation like SDM operation. May, by our skill and valor, ceased the threats of CTMs in the Bicol Region for its peace and prosperity. Lay your confidence and trust to us, the SDMs, for we will gamble our status as best rifle shooters not only of Bicol but also of whole Philippine Army. It’s too late for the enemies to evade. We are already on our “natural point of aim” to miss their heads!
Am I ready to perform my duty? Have I really learned everything I need to be a good junior officer? These are just among of the many questions that repeatedly playing in my mind but still unanswerable. I honestly admit that I was not confident enough before I came to this division. I also believe that no officer would deny that they felt the same feeling when they reported to their first unit assignment as new second lieutenants because a doubt to yourself is a natural feeling when you perform a new task.
On May 18, 2009, at 9DTU, 9ID, the Platoon Leaders’ Course Class 01-09 was opened under the supervision of our Course Director, Major Harold M. Cabunoc. Most of us, if not all, expected that our training would be very relaxing and not so significant considering that we already know everything we needed. We thought that we already learned much from OCS or in PMA. But we were wrong.
During our training, we slowly learned our weaknesses at the back of the strengths we have which might lead us to failure if we have not tried to overcome it. Most of us have not realized and were not aware how we will fall if we fail to appreciate and apply everything we learned.
PMA or OCS did not introduce yet to their cadets the new technologies nowadays that have been a lot helpful and made our combat operations easier. Let me sight the GPS, one of our equipments where in our senior officers probably expect that the new generation of new second lieutenants know how to operate and use all its functions. We were not even taught about it in PMA. Only in this course I learned the several functions of that gadget. Another is the signifance of our Harris radios. We just learned after our PLC how to input Transmission Encryption Key so that no other signal gadgets could monitor our voice communication except our friendly forces with the same TEK. Those instances alone signify the lack of training of the newly graduated officers from their different sources of commissionship.
Our course director had also refreshed us to the basic yet very important topics that are very helpful to our roles as platoon leaders. Some are even new to us. We were introduced to the AFP Grievance System or the proper feedback system, how to request indirect fire support, combat patrols, leadership principles, troop leading procedures, combat life-saving, and many more were reviewed and this time were accompanied with the experiences of our instructors especially Major Cabunoc, so that we could fully understand the importance of all of these which was very effective and helpful on our part in terms of learning process.
The most important lesson that this course had provided us is confidence. Our course director made sure that after our course, we are confident enough on dealing with our future subordinates and roles and responsibilities as second lieutenants. To ensure this objective, he included in our program of instruction the proper methods of instruction to lessen our sweat while talking in front of the crowd. As part of this subject, we were given the chance to handle the candidate soldiers and teach them some of the basic military skills.
Another thing that was made possible because of this course was the establishment of good relationship between us, the new second lieutenants, platoon leaders, and the most junior officers who are assigned here in 9th Infantry (Spear) Division. At least for about two months, we had already known everyone whom we will be working with someday and we created no barriers.
This is not an after activity review of our PLC but a sort of informative article that would inform everyone what have PLC made us and how much the same PLC will help the future generations of officers whenever they will report to this division or even to any other units of the Philippine Army. My classmates in this course who are now deployed in the different battalions of this division would be applying everything that they have learned and are very much ready to face the threats we are facing. We will make sure that we would reach the peak of our commanders’ expectations. We would be the cutting edge of the accomplishments of this division in support to the ISO mission.
The Philippine Army soldiers have been an integral part of the community. In all aspects of the lives of the Filipinos, the Philippine Army plays a vital role - as defenders of the country, as fearless fighters for peace and agents of development. In crisis, the Army soldiers stands strong, undaunted, and ready to defend the country and its people. In disasters, the Army soldiers offer the supreme sacrifice - fighting flood currents, risking their lives and limb, heeding their fellowmens cries for the help. In celebrating Filipino traditions, the soldier's presence is felt, making everyone feel safe and secure. In its continuing effort to deliver peace and development, Army soldiers forge healthy relationships and linkages with all the sectors of the society. To the Philippine Army soldier, ensuring that the people enjoy peaceful and decent lives is a commintment. To the Philippine Army soldier, service has no limit.
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9th Infantry (Spear) Division HYMN
I SA TIMOG SILANGANG LUZON ISANG HUKBO ANG HINIRANG HANDANG MAGTANGGOL SA BAYAN KAHIT SA’N MANG LARANGAN
II KAWAL SPEAR DIVISION DAKILA KA AT MARANGAL SIBAT ANG `YONG SAGISAG SA ISANG HUKBONG MATATAG
KORO 9TH SPEAR DIVISION MAY PAGMAMAHAL SA BAYAN TUMUTUPAD SA TUNGKULING BUONG KATAPATAN KAGITINGAN AT KARANGALAN KAWAL HUKBONG KATIHAN MATALINO’T MAAASAHAN (ULITIN ANG STANZA I)
III BUGSO NG KALIKASAN O ANO PA MANG BAKBAKAN AY `DI MAHAHADLANGAN MISYONG KAPAYAPAAN (ULITIN ANG KORO) KODA:
The 83 Infantry "Achiever" Battalion is the youngest yet the best battalion in the Philippine Army. In its efforts to continuously train, equip, and organize the Army organization, the Philippine Army has activated numerous units in 2009 with the end in view of delivering lasting peace and stability in the country.The 83rd Infantry Battalion was activated last June 16, 2009 at Kuta Elias Angeles in Pili, Camarines Sur. The activation of said battalions was aimed at augmenting the Army forces against the hostile NPA rebels. In addition, the newly-activated battalions are also capable of conducting nation-building activities and peace and development initiatives.Only months after their activation, said infantry battalion has already delivered wins for the Philippine Army to include arrests of New People's Army members, recovery of the NPA's arm caches, and neutralization of various enemy encampments, most especially in the areas of Catanduanes Province. The activation of this Infantry battalion is a fulfilment of the commanding general's commitment to deliver the winning shots for the AFP in the final phase of the campaign in making communist insurgency irrelevant by 2010. With 2010 deadline ahead, the Philippine Army shall continue to ensure a winning stance for a more peaceful and progressive Philippines.
The primary mission of the the infantry battalion is to organize, train, equip, deploy and sustain ground forces to defeat the CTM in 2010 in Catanduanes Island and some areas in Albay, in order to establish a physically and psychologically secure environment conducive to the development of the said areas of responsibility. As a unit of the AFP, it can organize, train and equip Army forces for the conduct of prompt and sustained combat operations on land of Catanduanes. It can also prepare the troops for immediate actions concerning national security. It is also a partner in nation-building, helping the people in every aspect of their life of anything what the Phil. Army could contribute, which for some are building farm-to-market roads, building schools, mediacal and dental missions and educational program for the youth.
As long as the 83IB is scouring the plains and bondoocs of Catanduanes, all Catanduangon can ensure that we will do our very best to bring back the once very quiet and secured place of this land. We shall defeat the threats of the CTM here as far as their size will become irrelevant to the province's security and we will continue to do our duty, that is, to protect the people and uplift the sovereignty of the state
I'm Vincent, one of blogger fanatics who just wanted to share some great opinions and ideas of idiotacy to the world then show to my readers how our life works. In reality, every person have some story, even the dull and ignorant. It should be fair then to hear some of these insights for their own subjective or objective compliments or critics, and personal evaluations or analysis.
