Mdpn. Francis Baldemor
In an effort to promote cultural understanding and enhance leadership skills among its cadets, the 802nd Navy Reserve Officers Training Corps unit (NROTCu) from this University has dispatched two cadets to Hawaii, USA for the ROTC Cultural Understanding and Leadership Program (CULP) on April 18.
Vice Corps Commander M/Capt Jay Christian V. Abetria and MW/Cdr Heart B. Babunas are set to experience up to three different venues during immersion, including host nation military-to-military exchange, humanitarian service, and education on the social, cultural and historical aspects of the country.
The two cadets are joined by Cdt/Major John David D. Capuyan from Sto. Niño College Officer's Training Corps Unit.
Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, a staff officer at the Office of the Philippine Army Reservists and Retirees Affairs, said in an interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA) that the cadets were chosen based on "qualities including leadership potential, aptitude, performance, and excellence."
Moreover, Cabunoc emphasized that as representatives of the nation, the cadets are expected to function as diplomats.
“I reminded them to maximize their learning through personal engagements with counterparts, honest observations of culture and traditions, and the military culture of the US armed forces,” Cabunoc added.
Out of the 20-member delegation, the participants were handpicked by the Philippine Army from ROTC cadets, while the rest were from the Air Force and Navy.
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