CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Newly promoted soldiers under 403 Infantry Brigade (403Bde) were donned of their new rank insignias this morning during a simple ceremony at Camp Osito Bahian, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.
A total of 206 army enlisted personnel from the battalions under 403rd Bde in Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, and Cagayan de Oro City were promoted.
Five soldiers were elevated to the rank of Master Sergeant, 20 moved to Technical Sergeant status, Staff Sergeant (36), 62 to Sergeant (62), and 83 new Corporals.
BGen Edgardo De Leon, Commander of Army’s 403Bde led the pinning of ranks.
In his message, he reiterated that discipline, along with mission accomplishments, are requisites to promotion.
Those who were promoted serve as models for others to emulate.
“Alagaan ninyo ang nakuha ninyong promotion, disiplina ang kailangan para mapangalagaan at mabigyan ng dignidad ang ranggo. Ang pinakamataas na uri ng disiplina ay ang disiplina sa sarili. Ito ay ang paggawa ng tama kahit walang nagmamasid, kahit walang nagbabantay, kahit walang nakatingin” De Leon said.
De Leon further encouraged soldiers to serve well to help accomplish the unit’s mission of serving the Filipino people.
He encouraged the soldiers to continue their skills development training and be abreast of the current events.
He said “as soldiers, you must create opportunities for yourselves and make yourselves qualified for career advancement by attending regular and specialization courses, trainings and seminars”.
According to Cpt Ryan Layug, 403Bde spokesman, Non-Commisioned Officers or NCOs perform as support staff of Commisioned Officers in overseeing the day to day operations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
He added that NCOs whose ranks range from Sergeant (Sgt) to Senior Chief Master Sergeant (SCMS) comprise 60% of the AFP workforce. (403Bde)
