THE PHILIPPINE MARINE CORPS 2007 

LtCol. Manzano test fires a .50 cal heavy on the V-150 Rear Weapon station (RWS) at Marine Base Ternate.

To Make a Warrior PMC When the 4th Marine Brigade The Marine Ready Reserve Marine Corps initiated the tempo of the Reserve Force (4MBde) was activated in OrganizationTraining exposure of the Reserve Force and enrich its experience 1996, one of its vital missions ( M R R O T ) i s t h e m o s t to specific areas in order to levels. The US Marine Corps was to provide the base for the fundamental training program develop the functional Military regularly conducts joint expansion of the Philippine of the Marine Reserve Force for Operational Specializations military exercises with the Marine Corps in the event of its enlisted personnel. Funded (MOS) for the members, and Philippine Marine Corps such war, invasion, or rebellion. by the Naval Reserve Command enhance their interoperability as Balikatan, CARAT and Hence, the immediate seamless (NAVRESCOM), it is designed with the regulars. In 2003, the amphibious events. integration of the active duty to develop ordinary citizens first Reserve Armor Officers “Being an integrated partner, Marine Corps and the Marine Reservists are shown firing the into . The course Course was conducted. At the cornerstone of the Marine Reserve Force during these duration normally requires this time, additional areas are M2 .50 caliber Heavy Machine Reserve force is its competence gun of the V-150 Rear Weapon contingencies, is crucial. 20 Saturdays of aggressive envisioned to be made open in Crisis Response. We view Station (RWS) Interoperability with the training composed of lectures, to the Marine Reserve Force, them as a compensating lever Philippine Marines Corps drills, and practical exercises. such as Field Artillery, and regulars is the pivotal principle Specialization training also Reconnaissance, among others. in both combat and non-combat in the training and education offers career progression Such initiatives broaden the service support,” Guerrero of the Marine Reserve Force. opportunities for members capabilities of the Marine explained. Therefore, it is necessary to of the Marine Reserve Force Reserve Force, beyond their As the Marine Corps provide the Marine Reserve who have the option to usual role in Civil Military epitomizes the Force-in- th Force with the same training, undergo various courses such Operations (CMO) to be Readiness, the 4 Marine standards and exposure as as the Aidman Course, the closely interoperable with the Brigade accentuates the the regular Marines. It goes Armor Operations Course, regulars. Reserve-in-Readiness – poised without saying that each Marine and the Hospital Man Course. Operational events and for battle at any clime and reservist must possess the Accordingly, the Philippine bilateral exercises boost the place. essential Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes (KSA) of a regular Philippine Marine. “We make available the same professional military education and training standards for them. Marine Reservists get to Col Gamboa delivers the welcome remarks during the opening ceremony of the experience the unholy calls of Marine Ready Reserve Organizational Training. Reservists reveille; the tormenting voices undergoing capsized of drill instructors; double timing rubberboat outside barracks; physical and training. mental demands; and eventually share the cohesiveness and esprit de corps that the Marines are known for,” said Col. Rustico R Guerrero PN(M)(GSC), then Superintendent, Marine Corps Training Center. There is no escaping the traditional systematic training of the individual and transforming him into the ultimate warrior. Reservists on For despite the rhetoric on amphibious exercise. the advantages of conflict- avoidance as the better option to going to war, the practical truth is that every training program is ultimately intended to prepare the Marine Reserve Force to prevail against the enemy.

The Philippine Marine Corps A FORCE OF ACTION For more than half a century, the “As the nation’s force of choice, is, in fact, measurable. The PMC men and women of the Philippine we want to be perceived as the Scorecards provide a framework to Marine Corps have been exemplars of force of strategic choice, a force communicate the vision, mission, excellence in the Philippine military . of difference, and a force of last and the strategy into measurable In 1950, its first commanding officer, resort when everyone else fails” objectives and key performance then Lieutenant Senior Grade Manuel Lieutenant-Colonel Elmer Estilles, indicators. Gomez PN, envisioned the Marines PN(M), former Deputy Chief of The vision, the strategies and to be the “cutting edge” of the Armed Staff for Plans and Programs, tactics, and the metrics have been Forces of the . Since MC5 said. laid out. But like all roadmaps, then, the Philippine Marine Corps Inextricably linked to this is the success of its implementation (PMC) has lived up to this vision the vision of becoming the AFP’s is contingent upon the collective consistently and without fail. premiere force in readiness. “It commitment of all the stakeholders, One only needs to flip back cultivates the Marines’ uniqueness specifically the AFP, the Philippine through the pages of recent history of being an amphibious unit that , and the PMC itself. In to catch a glimpse of the impressive can perform a variety of missions, the foreword of Book 1 of the achievements of the Philippine act on a very short notice, operate roadmap, former Commandant, military wherein the Marines played under any circumstance, and win Major General Nelson M. Allaga, a crucial role. Historically, the decisively against all odds,” Estilles AFP wrote: “The realization of Armed Forces of the Philippines added. our vision lies in our united effort (AFP) has relied on the Navy and The PMC’s roadmap provides and creativity in transforming this the Marine Corps for its traditional a holistic approach to plugging strategy into concrete actions.” response to conflicts short of war critical gaps between where The ownership of the vision and against the Southern Philippine the Corps is now and where it the roadmap is consistent with the Secessionist Group and the wants to be in 2024. “We have thrust of the Philippine Defense Communist NPA. The traditional identified in the plan key strategic Reform (PDR) Program of the threats and concerns that long perspectives, namely: stakeholders, Department of National Defense utilized the sea and adjacent land organization, resources, and cultural and the AFP. areas for their sustainment and perspectives,” Estilles explained. I n k e e p i n g w i t h i t s operating base have been evolving The governance strategy revolves “transforming while performing” and adapting to a viable size to around four strategic themes: (1) implementation strategy, the plan directly undermine our national Strengthening the foundation which was designed to effect changes security and stability. requires revisiting the basics. through an evolutionary and not a The traditional and emerging Existing doctrines will be enhanced revolutionary process, guided by a security concerns and the and reinforced and new doctrines careful and deliberate assessment continuing Marine tradition of will be created including war of goals, objectives, and the steps insight, innovation, and initiative fighting doctrines; (2) Sufficiency thus drove the formulation of a of resources focuses on pursuing and resources to attain them. “This strategic roadmap to steer the aggressive programs to generate work is not perfect and is still a Corps to attain its highest ideals as sufficient financial, logistical, work in progress and the biggest it continues to face such new and and adequate human resources; room for the Corps will always be formidable challenges. (3) Capability enhancement the room for improvement,” Allaga Last year, coinciding with its covers education and training added, stressing the iterative nature 57th birthday, the Philippine Marine programs for its personnel and the of the process. Corps rolled out an 18-year strategic acquisition of needed equipment At 57, the PMC is ready to face plan dubbed “Roadmap 2024.” The to enhance the MOVE, SHOOT, another half a century of challenges plan laid the groundwork for the and COMMUNICATE capabilities with a shared vision and a common Corps to focus its efforts toward of its line battalions through the blueprint. And as a truly responsive a common goal of advancing the Battalion of Excellence program; organization, the PMC will continue national security interests of the and (4) Stakeholders satisfaction to scan the horizons, adapt to the Philippines as an archipelagic and focuses on fulfilling the Corps anticipated changes, and overcome maritime state. deliverables to the Filipino people, challenges in the environment. The The PMC Charter Statement the , and the tradition of excellence will pervade summarizes the Corps’ reason for Philippine Marine Corps itself by all aspects of their operations, both being and what it envisages itself developing its core competencies at the headquarters and in the battle to be in the future. Its two-fold to be mission-ready and mission- zones. vision was a natural offshoot of its focused. When all else fails, send in the tradition of excellence: to be the Roadmap 2024 will drive Marines. This cliché, has worked AFP’s premiere force in readiness innovation and stir cooperation its charm time and again. and the nation’s force of choice. among the Marines, and promote It may be an overused military 2nd District This was the vision that evolved sustainable initiatives which are expression but it is not an Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao from the expectations of the Corps’ not co-terminus with personalities underutilized military solution. Camp Andres, Luuk, ultimate benefactor and beneficiary, and leadership. It may be For after all, the Philippine Marine the Filipino people; and builds on deemed ambitious by some but Corps is not only a force with the Rm. S-614, House of Representatives, City the Marines’ distinct history, core it is attainable. And although it noblest vision but a true force of Phone nos: 931-5001 local 7313, 9315560 values, and traditions. engendered from a set of ideals, it action.