Army boasts of competent shooters
FORT BONIFACIO, Taguig City - The Philippine Army boasts of able and skilled shooters among its 85,0000-strong organization, an military official said.
Major Harold M Cabunoc, Army Spokesperson, said that the Army soldiers are far from being “bolomen” who cannot shoot straight and hit their target.
“The Philippine Army is home to the best shooters who have distinguished themselves not only in local competitions, but in international competitions as well,” said Cabunoc.
For the past decade, the Army shooters have consistently landed in the Top 3 of the annual ASEAN Armies Rifle Meet (AARM) which is participated in by 10 competing countries. Likewise, they consistently grabbed several gold medals in other international shooting competitions hosted by foreign countries like China and Australia.
“Corporal Rodney Rizano and Sergeant Allan Lao have landed in the Top 1 and 2 spots among 100 soldiers fielded by the ASEAN Armies in the AARM shootfest held in Indonesia last October 2011. The Army Shooting Team counts in its ranks some top-caliber shooters who have made their mark in various international competitions,” said Cabunoc who is both a marksmanship instructor and a competitive shooter.
Cabunoc also said that the Army is continuously improving its marksmanship training programs which is carried out by the Marksmanship Training Unit.
He cited that the 'train the leaders' training methodology has been proven effective in developing more competitive marksmanship instructors who in turn, implement the marksmanship skills training program in their respective units.
"We are enhancing the shooting skills of our soldiers by conducting scenario-based shooting applications training in the field. This is in compliance to the provisions of the International Humanitarian Law and the IPSP Bayanihan ROE (rules of engagement) wherein the soldiers are supposed to shoot only legitimate targets and avoid the use of excessive force," said Cabunoc.
Army policy
The future challenge is how to sustain the marksmanship skills program after the basic training that the soldiers have undergone, considering that marksmanship skill is a 'perishable skill'.
To address this concern, the Army is implementing the annual marksmanship training for all soldiers. To ensure that the program will be sustained, the Army is evaluating policies that will be institutionalized.
"There are proposals that the soldiers are required to pass the Rifle Marksmanship Qualification Course before being reenlisted in the military service. This means that they must qualify as a 'marksman' before they can be allowed to renew their contract which lasts 3 years," Cabunoc explained.
For Army officers, Cabunoc said, "They are required to undergo the Combat Pistol Qualification Course as part of the pre-entry training and their future sustainment training".
Shooting generals
Cabunoc also said that the soldiers’ marksmanship skills are further enhanced by joining various shooting competitions.
He mentioned that even senior officers of the Army led by Lieutenant General Emmanuel Bautista have actively participated in shooting competitions.
"I am proud of our shooting generals in the Army because their presence alone brings chills to the spine among the other competitors. Among our distinguished shooters include General Jessie Dellosa, General Roland Detabali, General Jorge Segovia, General Rommel Gomez and General Noel Coballes," Cabunoc narrated.
Recently, the Army Shooting Team dominated the Game of the Generals which was hosted by the DND in December last year.
"A top-notch Army shooter, Brigadier General Rainer Cruz, bagged the championship trophy as the 'Top Gun' in that competition. Our team also snatched another trophy for besting the other teams in the team 'falling plates' competition," said Cabunoc.
“Truth to tell, the Army shooters have distinguished themselves in various local and international competitions making them among the best in the ASEAN region. Without a doubt, the Army is indeed an organization that hones and generates the best shooters,” Cabunoc concluded.
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