RIGHTEOUS BALANCE Mandatory ROTC: Time to Reconsider Its Impact

DUSTIN GATUS

The drumbeat of military discipline echoes once again in the halls of Philippine high schools as lawmakers consider reviving the mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). But is this cadence in step with the needs and desires of our youth?

Are we preparing our children for future leadership or sending them prematurely to the frontline?

A recent Social Weather Stations survey reveals a divided opinion among Filipinos on this issue: 42% favor making ROTC optional, 35% support its mandatory return for senior high school students, and 22% argue it should not be part of the senior high school curriculum at all.

Legislation is already in motion, with the House of Representatives having approved a proposal for the National Citizens Service Training (NCST) Program, aimed at reinstating military training.

However, the revival of mandatory ROTC has sparked controversy, with protests led by student groups like SPARK, which see the program as “expensive, dangerous, and unnecessary”.

As a concerned citizen and a student who is entering college in 2 years, the intention to foster patriotism, discipline, and volunteerism is commendable. However, it’s important to consider the potential repercussions for our youth.

Insisting on mandatory ROTC is akin to forcing everyone to wear a uniform size; it simply won’t fit everyone.

The tragic story of Mark Welson Chua, a student who lost his life after exposing corruption in his university’s ROTC unit, remains a stark reminder of the potential dangers within the system.

I once asked my father, a former student, if he remembered the experiences and how it felt to be in the ROTC. “I don’t like being in ROTC, though it’s beneficial for the country, they said. Doing ROTC was like hell; it’s so hot and stressful, and at the same time, I don’t find it efficient for myself or either of my friends at that time.”

So, are we preparing our children for leadership or pushing them towards the frontline? The solution could lie anywhere in between. While teaching our children discipline and a feeling of pride in their country is important, it’s equally necessary to make sure that we don’t compromise their safety or disregard their opinions in the process.

Perhaps it’s time to reimagine the ROTC program, making it truly optional and focusing on its core values rather than military training.

I urge parents, educators, and lawmakers alike to join the dialogue, listen to our youth, and help shape a future where ROTC is a beacon of honor and service rather than a source of contention and fear.