CLARK – Officers of the 2nd Air Reserve Center of the Philippine Air Force are calling on patriotic and service-minded civilians to join their ranks as reservists and contribute to national defense and disaster response.
Col. Marc Anthony Yambing, the Commanding Officer of the 2nd Air Reserve Center, has outlined several benefits of being a PAF reservist – among them, acquiring invaluable military training and leadership skills to help strengthen civilian and military partnership.
Col. Yambing also said reservists can take pride in serving our nation, while continuing their civilian profession.
“Our skies need guardians, and the nation needs you,” he said during the September edition of Pampanga Press Club’s KapiHann at Swissotel Clark.
The 2nd Air Reserve Center – a sub-unit of the Air Force Reserve Command – has the mission to administer, train and develop Philippine Air Force reservists to make sure they are ready to respond to an event of war, rebellion or invasion, or even during peace time for disaster relief and socio-economic programs.
Recruitment
The PAF, he said, has several campaigns on how to get reservists on board, like utilizing all platforms for recruitment, including the most popular social media platform, Facebook.
“We also have the PAF website, and we hold mall exhibits annually before the PAF anniversary, usually June and July, all around the county,” Col. Yambing said, mentioning the use of static displays and booths during these exhibits.
For additional information dissemination, the PAF also utilizes their network of schools to recruit even the faculty, not just the students.
Qualifications
Asked what the qualifications are to be an air force reservist, Col. Yambing said one has to be a Filipino citizen, first and foremost. One also has to be physically and mentally fit, and at least a high school graduate, 18 years old and above.
“There are three categories for reservists – those who are 18 to 35 years old; then 35 to 50; and then 50 years old above who are usually consultants and equally important to help the Armed Forces,” Col. Yambing said.
Those who have at least completed ROTC, and those who passed the pre-entry basic military training conducted twice a year, may also join.
Nation-building
Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Melissa Feliciano, who is the Deputy Group Commander of the 23rd Air Force Group Reserve, said that for most of them in the reserve force, it’s all about doing their role in nation building.
“It’s a matter of sacrificing most of your time. We all have regular work, and family commitments, and yet we choose to serve to support the government in any way we can,” she said.
She added: “I’d like to encourage everyone, if you’re looking for purpose, if you want to help out the country, more than ever, kailangan tayo ng Pilipinas with what is happening in the region.”
According to Lt. Col. Feliciano, there is fulfillment in being a reservist, not only in the event of war where you will be called to active duty, but also in times of peace, where you will have the opportunity to serve the Filipino people through civic action, helping out in civil-military operations and outreach programs – all which help in building the nation.
“Maybe try to explore, if it’s something for you,” she said.
