Army welcomes new batch of specialized troops

14 Feb 2019 SR cover

FORT BONIFACIO, Metro Manila – The Philippine Army welcomed a new batch of specialized troops in a Joint Closing Ceremony of Scout Ranger Course Class 206-2018 and Scout Sniper Course Class 25-2018 at Headquarters, First Scout Ranger Regiment (FSRR), Camp Tecson, San Miguel Bulacan, on Wednesday, Feb.13, 2019.

Brig. Gen. William N. Gonzales, Commander of the FSSR officiated the recognition of the new batch of graduates who have finished the elite courses which was highlighted by the distribution of awards and recognitions. Significantly, the pinning of the Scout Ranger and Scout Sniper Badges to the graduates was led by the Chief, PNP, Director General Oscar D. Albayalde, who was invited as the Guest of Honor and Speaker. He was accompanied and assisted by the Commanding General, Philippine Army, Lt. Gen. Macairog S. Alberto.

A total of 146 personnel coming from the different Army units including one from the Philippine Air Force and 16 from the Philippine National Police finished the Scout Ranger Course. While for the Scout Sniper, 21 have successfully hurdle the course.

The Scout Ranger Course is a 10-month training that requires strength, speed and mental toughness which specializes on jungle warfare, close quarter combat, urban warfare and counter terrorism operations. On the other hand, the Scout Snipers was a more than seven months of mentally and physically challenging training that involves camouflaging and stalking techniques for them to operate independently forward of friendly position in the battlefield.

These two courses are considered as among the toughest specialization training that is being offered by the Army which aims to develop personnel capability, cohesiveness and combat efficiency. The new graduates are expected to boost the combat capabilities of their respective units as they are integrated and employed based on their new learned skills.

Police Director General Albayalde was conferred as honorary member of the newly graduate Scout Ranger Course Class 206-2018. In his remarks, he expressed his delight for the honor accorded to him by the Philippine Army. In retrospect, he proudly shared that he himself has undertaken the Scout Ranger Orientation Course while the Ranger’s camp was still stationed in Tanay, Rizal.

He said that through continuous coordination and cooperation between the PNP and AFP, the Philippine Army in particular, there is no doubt that the government could succeed in quelling the various security threats besetting the country. He emphasized that training is truly an important factor especially in the security sector to fully attain its goal of providing a safe and secured environment for the people.

Lt. Gen. Alberto on the other hand, congratulated the graduates and the leadership of FSRR for a job well done. He stressed to the members of the regiment to continue hone their unique skills and maintain the highest standard of discipline. “Let us remain humble yet relevant in pursuit of the Army’s mission accomplishment. Let us fight the way we trained and train the way we fight,” he added.

The event underscores the success of the Philippine Army in attaining its objective of producing an agile force, making highly disciplined rangers and snipers that stands for the Army’s core values of honor, patriotism and duty. The graduates are set to serve the people and secure the land.#

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