CAMP PERALTA, Jamindan, Capiz – An inspiring story of rising through the ranks has unfolded at the 3rd ID where four enlisted personnel embraced the challenge of becoming Army officers.
On January 29, 2024, 2nd Lieutenants Donna Grace Legaspi, Neva Jane Galvez, Giessallyn Alacrito, and Melven Zausa, all from 3ID, successfully completed the 45-day Pre-Deployment Training (PDT) as Call to Active Duty (CAD) Officers at the Army’s Reserve Command Training School in Camp Riego de Dios, Tanza, Cavite.
Before being called to active duty, these four soldiers served as Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) in 3ID’s line units, holding the rank of Army Corporal. Legaspi is from the 302nd Infantry Brigade (IB), Galvez worked in the Division’s Governance and Strategy Management Office (GSMO), Alacrito is from the 82nd IB, and Zausa is from the 94th IB.
Both Galvez and Alacrito, ROTC officers and Criminology board passers, were commissioned as 2nd Lieutenants in the Army Reserve Force under Republic Act 7077, also known as the Citizen Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservist Act.
Meanwhile, Legaspi and Zausa applied and underwent the Probationary Officer Training Course (POTC) to become 2nd Lieutenants in the Reserve Force.
In an interview with 2Lt. Alacrito, she shared that it had always been her dream to become an Army soldier, leading her to apply for the Candidate Soldier Course.
It was during her tenure as enlisted personnel in the military service that she discovered various avenues for commissioning as an officer, prompting her to give it a try.
“If you have the potential to become an officer, why not pursue it when the opportunity arises? It’s advantageous because you can gain a lot of knowledge and experience,” she further stated.
Alacrito encouraged other enlisted soldiers with extraordinary skills and qualifications for active duty to seize the opportunity and become Army officers.
The leadership of 3ID commended the perseverance of its former enlisted soldiers for taking the path towards becoming officers.
“Congratulations to our four enlisted personnel for successfully completing the Pre-Deployment Training (PDT) as Call to Active Duty (CAD) officers. May your story of rising through the ranks inspire other enlisted soldiers with the potential to pursue the same path and become future officers, embodying the core values of the Philippine Army: Honor, Patriotism, and Duty in serving and securing the people and the country,” said Major General Sison, Commander, 3ID.
The tale of these brave Army officers, driven by unwavering determination and a commitment to service, undeniably presents a compelling narrative of transformation. They embody the spirit of excellence, proving that NCOs can ascend through the ranks within the Philippine Army.
